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Freelance Chef Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Collaborative You have... * 5+ years of experience as a retoucher in-house or as a freelancer ... Up to 85% discount on subscriptions to HelloFresh meal plans (HelloFresh, Green Chef, Everyplate ...

OR · On-site

Freelancer management: Lead the menu merchandising and optimization freelancer, ensuring all ... and how chefs work! Compensation * All final pay rates will be determined by the candidate ...

Momofuku Momofuku was founded by chef David Chang in 2004 with the opening of Momofuku Noodle Bar ... Experience sourcing and managing external contributors such as agencies or freelancers * Hands-on ...

You will manage our blog and work closely with freelancers, own the editorial calendar, and heavily ... chefs, using the most fresh and exciting ingredients. We make sure, that our dishes are always 100 ...

Housekeepers Needed

Fresno, TX · On-site

$11.75 - $15.25/hr

... chef, contract worker, cook, designer, dishwasher, dog walker, entrepreneur, fitness trainer, entertainer, dancer, food prep, food services, freelancer, handyman, hostess, insurance broker ...

Housekeepers Needed

Missouri City, TX · On-site

$12.25 - $15.75/hr

... chef, contract worker, cook, designer, dishwasher, dog walker, entrepreneur, fitness trainer, entertainer, dancer, food prep, food services, freelancer, handyman, hostess, insurance broker ...

Cleaner

Galena Park, TX · On-site

$11.75 - $14/hr

... chef, contract worker, cook, designer, dishwasher, dog walker, entrepreneur, fitness trainer, entertainer, dancer, food prep, food services, freelancer, handyman, hostess, insurance broker ...

Cleaner

Sugar Land, TX · On-site

$12.50 - $14.75/hr

... chef, contract worker, cook, designer, dishwasher, dog walker, entrepreneur, fitness trainer, entertainer, dancer, food prep, food services, freelancer, handyman, hostess, insurance broker ...

Housekeepers Needed

Sugar Land, TX · On-site

$12.50 - $16.25/hr

... chef, contract worker, cook, designer, dishwasher, dog walker, entrepreneur, fitness trainer, entertainer, dancer, food prep, food services, freelancer, handyman, hostess, insurance broker ...

Cleaner

Fresno, TX · On-site

$11.75 - $14/hr

... chef, contract worker, cook, designer, dishwasher, dog walker, entrepreneur, fitness trainer, entertainer, dancer, food prep, food services, freelancer, handyman, hostess, insurance broker ...

Cleaner

Houston, TX · On-site

$13.25 - $15.75/hr

... chef, contract worker, cook, designer, dishwasher, dog walker, entrepreneur, fitness trainer, entertainer, dancer, food prep, food services, freelancer, handyman, hostess, insurance broker ...

Housekeepers Needed

Alief, TX · On-site

$14.75 - $18.75/hr

... chef, contract worker, cook, designer, dishwasher, dog walker, entrepreneur, fitness trainer, entertainer, dancer, food prep, food services, freelancer, handyman, hostess, insurance broker ...

Housekeepers Needed

Richmond, TX · On-site

$11.50 - $14.75/hr

... chef, contract worker, cook, designer, dishwasher, dog walker, entrepreneur, fitness trainer, entertainer, dancer, food prep, food services, freelancer, handyman, hostess, insurance broker ...

Cleaner

Stafford, TX · On-site

$12.25 - $14.25/hr

... chef, contract worker, cook, designer, dishwasher, dog walker, entrepreneur, fitness trainer, entertainer, dancer, food prep, food services, freelancer, handyman, hostess, insurance broker ...

Cleaner

Cypress, TX · On-site

$12 - $14.25/hr

... chef, contract worker, cook, designer, dishwasher, dog walker, entrepreneur, fitness trainer, entertainer, dancer, food prep, food services, freelancer, handyman, hostess, insurance broker ...

Cleaner

South Houston, TX · On-site

$12.75 - $15/hr

... chef, contract worker, cook, designer, dishwasher, dog walker, entrepreneur, fitness trainer, entertainer, dancer, food prep, food services, freelancer, handyman, hostess, insurance broker ...

Cleaner

Alief, TX · On-site

$14.75 - $17.25/hr

... chef, contract worker, cook, designer, dishwasher, dog walker, entrepreneur, fitness trainer, entertainer, dancer, food prep, food services, freelancer, handyman, hostess, insurance broker ...

Housekeepers Needed

South Houston, TX · On-site

$12.75 - $16.50/hr

... chef, contract worker, cook, designer, dishwasher, dog walker, entrepreneur, fitness trainer, entertainer, dancer, food prep, food services, freelancer, handyman, hostess, insurance broker ...

Cleaner

Missouri City, TX · On-site

$12.25 - $14.50/hr

... chef, contract worker, cook, designer, dishwasher, dog walker, entrepreneur, fitness trainer, entertainer, dancer, food prep, food services, freelancer, handyman, hostess, insurance broker ...

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Freelance Chef information

See salary details

$14

$47

$132

How much do freelance chef jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 10, 2026, the average hourly pay for freelance chef in the United States is $47.71, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $24.28 and $61.78 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What Is a Freelance Chef?

A freelance chef meets the culinary needs of a variety of clients. As a freelance chef, you may work as a personal cook, a caterer for special events, or a menu designer. Other duties may include buying groceries, cleaning cooking equipment and supplies, and making food that the customer can reheat at a later time. This cooking job is not typically in a restaurant kitchen, but you may find opportunities filling in for restaurant chefs. Unlike a personal chef, who works for only one household, a freelance chef usually has multiple clients that they work for on a weekly basis or during special events. A career as a freelance chef could take you to various destinations, for example, if you’re hired to cook for clients at a vacation home or on a private yacht.

What is the difference between Freelance Chef vs Personal Chef?

AspectFreelance ChefPersonal Chef
CredentialsCulinary training, certificationsCulinary training, certifications
Work EnvironmentVarious clients, multiple locationsPrivate households, single client
Employer/IndustryMultiple clients, catering, eventsIndividual or family
Search/Comparison IntentFlexibility, freelance opportunitiesPersonalized service, private chef roles

Freelance Chefs work with multiple clients across various locations, offering catering and event services, while Personal Chefs prepare customized meals exclusively for individual clients or families in their homes. Both roles require culinary skills and certifications, but their work environments and client relationships differ significantly.

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

To thrive as a Freelance Chef, you need strong culinary skills, menu planning expertise, and relevant culinary certifications or training. Familiarity with kitchen equipment, food safety standards, and booking or scheduling platforms is often required. Excellent communication, creativity, and adaptability are vital soft skills for building client relationships and handling diverse cooking environments. These skills ensure consistent food quality, satisfied clients, and a successful, sustainable freelance career.

How does a freelance chef typically manage client relationships and scheduling?

As a freelance chef, managing client relationships and scheduling requires strong organizational and communication skills. You will often need to coordinate directly with clients to discuss menu preferences, dietary restrictions, event details, and timelines. Balancing multiple clients and events can be challenging, so using digital calendars and clear contracts is essential to avoid conflicts and ensure smooth service. Building positive client relationships can also lead to repeat business and referrals, making professionalism and reliability key to success in this role.

What does a freelance chef do?

A freelance chef is a culinary professional who works independently rather than being employed by a single restaurant or business. They may provide services such as private dining, catering, cooking classes, meal prep, or consulting for different clients. Freelance chefs often create custom menus, source ingredients, and handle food preparation and presentation. Their flexible role allows them to work in various locations, including private homes, events, and pop-up restaurants.
What cities are hiring for Freelance Chef jobs? Cities with the most Freelance Chef job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Chef jobs? The most popular types of Chef jobs are:
What states have the most Freelance Chef jobs? States with the most job openings for Freelance Chef jobs include:
Infographic showing various Freelance Chef job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 50% Full Time, 17% Part Time, and 33% Contract. Highlights an 83% In-person, and 17% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $99,230 per year, or $47.7 per hour.
Senior Retoucher

Senior Retoucher

HelloFresh

New York, NY • On-site

Other

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Posted 26 days ago


HelloFresh rating

6.5

Company rating: 6.5 out of 10

Based on 50 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

10th of 22 rated food delivery companies


Job description

HelloFresh is in search of a full-time Senior Retoucher to join our in-house studio team in New York, NY. Reporting to the Post Production Manager, the candidate will work closely with our Photography and Creative teams. 

The candidate should be passionate about retouching, photography and post production and know how to translate those skills into an in-house production workflow. The right candidate will be an advanced and seasoned retoucher. The ability to multitask while maintaining attention to detail is essential to success in this role.

You will ...

  • Demonstrate expertise in Photoshop, including compositing, masking, silos and advanced retouching techniques.
  • AI image generation and QA.
  • Work with photographers, art directors, and clients to interpret creative direction and meet tight deadlines.
  • Retouching/QA a large volume of images on a daily basis
  • Color correct backgrounds and product
  • Organize, retouch and deliver projects based on company deadlines
  • Perform image QC or photography and AI generated imagery prior to delivery to ensure visual consistency and adherence to quality standards for all brands.
  • Optimize current workflows and find improvements for the retouching/QA workflow.

You are...

  • Detail Oriented
  • Creative and Innovative
  • A great communicator
  • Love of retouching and imagery
  • Team player
  • Deadline driven
  • Proactive
  • Collaborative

You have...

  • 5+ years of experience as a retoucher in-house or as a freelancer
  • Knowledge of Adobe Photoshop, Bridge and Capture One
  • Familiarity with DAM platforms such as Bynder, WebDAM, or similar
  • Experience using text-to-image AI models including Gemini and GPT Image 2.
  • Google suite: sheets, docs and slides
  • Bachelor's degree in photography/retouching or related field
  • Must work from our Brooklyn Photography studio at Industry City in a hybrid in-office capacity.
  • The Interview process will contain a retouching test to assess skill level.

You'll get...

  • Competitive salary, 401k with company match that vests immediately upon participation
  • Generous PTO, including sabbatical, and parental leave of up to 16 weeks
  • Comprehensive health and wellness benefits with options at $0 monthly, effective first day of employment
  • Tuition reimbursement for continuing education (upon 2 years of service)
  • Up to 85% discount on subscriptions to HelloFresh meal plans (HelloFresh, Green Chef, Everyplate, and Factor_)   
  • Access to Employee Resource Groups that are open to all employees, including those pertaining to BIPOC, women, veterans, parents, and LGBTQ+
  • Inclusive, collaborative, and dynamic work environment within a fast-paced, mission-driven company that is disrupting the traditional food supply chain

This job description is intended to provide a general overview of the responsibilities. However, the Company reserves the right to adjust, modify, or reassign work tasks and responsibilities as needed to meet changing business needs, operational requirements, or other factors.


What HelloFresh employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom


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About HelloFresh

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

HelloFresh is a meal-kit company based in Berlin, Germany. It is the largest meal-kit provider in the United States and also has operations in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom, as well as Europe (Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg, France, Italy, Ireland, Spain and Scandinavia). HelloFresh’s mission is to change the way people eat forever by helping consumers save money with every meal, democratizing access to high-quality food, allowing everyone to enjoy a varied and tasty diet, and reducing food waste through CO2 neutral delivery of every box.

Industry

Food services and drinking places

Company size

1,001 - 5,000 Employees

Headquarters location

New York, NY, US