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Foreign Chef Jobs (NOW HIRING)

lelé kitchen

Sous Chef

Los Gatos, CA

$58K - $78K/yr

We're looking for a Sous Chef who wants more than another kitchen job. We want someone who is ... Foreign Cinema, Penny Roma, The Morris, or restaurants of a similar caliber is highly valued ...

Wisconsin

Chef

Stevens Point, WI

$17.60 - $19/hr

Chef Job Category: University Staff Employment Type: Regular Job Profile: Chef Job Duties: This ... foreign national authorized to work in the United States without the need of employer sponsorship ...

lelé kitchen

Sous Chef

Los Gatos, CA

$80K - $85K/yr

We're looking for a Sous Chef who wants more than another kitchen job. We want someone who is ... Foreign Cinema, Penny Roma, The Morris, or restaurants of a similar caliber is highly valued ...

Universities of Wisconsin

Chef

Stevens Point, WI · On-site

$17.60 - $19/hr

Chef Job Category: University Staff Employment Type: Regular Job Profile: Chef Job Duties: This ... foreign national authorized to work in the United States without the need of employer sponsorship ...

AccessHR

Executive Chef

Manhattan, NY · On-site

$60K - $80K/yr

Proven experience as a Chef in a similar position, preferably in a hotel setting and private ... S. citizens, or foreign citizens who have the necessary authorization. This agency utilizes E ...

AccessHR

Executive Chef

Manhattan, NY · On-site

$60K - $80K/yr

Proven experience as a Chef in a similar position, preferably in a hotel setting and private ... S. citizens, or foreign citizens who have the necessary authorization. This agency utilizes E ...

HRI Hospitality

$54K - $74K/yr

We are looking for a Chef de Cuisine for a temporary assignment. SUMMARY The Chef de Cuisine is ... Ability to clearly communicate in verbal and written English (additional foreign languages are ...

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Foreign Chef information

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How much do foreign chef jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 12, 2026, the average hourly pay for foreign chef in the United States is $24.63, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.83 and $31.01 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How does a foreign chef adapt traditional dishes to suit local tastes while maintaining authenticity?

As a Foreign Chef, one of the main challenges is balancing the authenticity of traditional recipes with the preferences and ingredient availability of the local market. This often involves researching local palates, experimenting with substitute ingredients, and collaborating with local kitchen staff to refine flavors. Open communication with both management and guests can help you gather feedback and adjust dishes while preserving the essence of the cuisine. This adaptability not only ensures customer satisfaction but also demonstrates your culinary creativity and cultural sensitivity.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a foreign chef, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Foreign Chef, you need expertise in international cuisines, strong culinary techniques, and formal training such as a culinary degree or relevant certifications. Familiarity with commercial kitchen equipment, inventory management systems, and food safety regulations is typically required. Creativity, adaptability, and strong communication skills help chefs collaborate with diverse teams and cater to varying customer preferences. These skills ensure authentic, high-quality dishes, efficient kitchen operations, and a positive dining experience in multicultural settings.

What is a foreign chef?

Foreign Chefs are culinary professionals who work in a country different from their country of origin. They bring diverse cooking styles, techniques, and international cuisines to local kitchens, often introducing new flavors and cultural experiences to their workplaces. Many foreign chefs are hired by restaurants, hotels, and resorts seeking authentic international cuisine. Their expertise not only enriches the menu but also enhances the cultural diversity of the culinary team.
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Foreign Chef jobs near you
Infographic showing various Foreign Chef job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 86% Full Time, 13% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $51,225 per year, or $24.6 per hour.

Sous Chef

lelé kitchen

Los Gatos, CA

$58K - $78K/yr

Full-time

Posted 19 days ago

Job description

lelé kitchen | Los Gatos, CA

At lelé kitchen, we believe Eastern European cuisine deserves the same level of respect as the world’s great culinary traditions.

Our food is rooted in the flavors and techniques of Belarus, Ukraine, Poland, Georgia, and the Baltics, interpreted through California’s extraordinary farm produce.

Because a wonderful member of our team is moving to another state, we are looking for a strong candidate to replace them. We’re looking for a Sous Chef who wants more than another kitchen job. We want someone who is excited to be part of one of the most interesting independent restaurants in the Bay Area while maintaining a very reasonable for the industry work-life balance.

What You’ll Do

  • This is a cooking-heavy role. Most of your time will be spent prepping for service, cooking during service, and planning for the following day.
  • Lead the hot line.
  • Lead dinner service alongside the chef.
  • Help develop new dishes. You will have the freedom to create and execute.
  • Train and mentor other chefs while maintaining high culinary standards.
  • Manage prep, organization, and quality control in a small kitchen.
  • Maintain an organized, respectful, and detail-driven kitchen.

Who We’re Looking For

We’re interested in chefs who have developed strong fundamentals in ambitious kitchens.

Experience at California restaurants such as Rich Table, State Bird Provisions, The Progress, Nopa, Octavia, Frances, Pomet, Ernest, The Anchovy Bar, Zuni Café, Cotogna, Foreign Cinema, Penny Roma, The Morris, or restaurants of a similar caliber is highly valued, though not required.

You should:

  • Be easy to work with and a true team member. We spend 10 hours a day, five days a week together, so we want to like and respect one another.
  • Care deeply about ingredients and food.
  • Have knowledge of different cuisines and culinary traditions.
  • Be calm under pressure.
  • Have strong knife skills and good organization.
  • Be eager to teach and continue learning.
  • Be genuinely excited about building something special.
  • Have experience working with pasta.
  • Have experience working with proteins such as venison and rabbit.
  • Have personality, but no ego. Good food can be made without unnecessary stress.
  • Be yourself.

About lelé kitchen

We are a chef-driven, independently owned restaurant serving modern California cuisine through an Eastern European lens, or Eastern European cuisine interpreted through California produce.

Our menu changes constantly with the seasons and features handmade pasta, bread, fermentation, and preservation. We offer refined à la carte and tasting-menu experiences.

Every plate reflects precision and curiosity.

We value humility, consistency, craftsmanship, and hospitality as much as technical ability.

  • Competitive salary based on experience, starting at no less than $80,000.
  • Five-day workweek, averaging 46–52 hours.

If you’re looking for a place where your ideas matter, your cooking continues to grow, and your work has a real impact, we’d love to hear from you.

Please send your resume, a few words about yourself, and a couple of photos of your food, and let’s meet in person.

Apply