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Full Time Chef Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

Cook II

Sioux City, IA · On-site

$14 - $18.75/hr

UnityPoint-St Luke's Hospital Full-Time 10:30am-7pm Under the supervision of the Executive Chef, this position is responsible for production of high quality meals for clients. Maintaining an above ...

Cook

Sioux City, IA · On-site

$13.75 - $18.50/hr

Luke's-Downtown Full time, 11a-7:30p Under the supervision of the Executive Chef, this position is responsible for production of high quality meals for clients. Maintaining an above standard approach ...

New

... and full-time associates. 100% Food Service, 4 bag soup lines, 1 tub line, 18 Kettles, 5 Filling ... Heinz acquired Quality Chef foods in the mid 2000's. In 2015 Kraft and Heinz merged to become Kraft ...

... and full-time associates. 100% Food Service, 4 bag soup lines, 1 tub line, 18 Kettles, 5 Filling ... Heinz acquired Quality Chef foods in the mid 2000's. In 2015 Kraft and Heinz merged to become Kraft ...

Line Cook

Dubuque, IA · On-site

$14.75 - $18.50/hr

While living onboard, our Chefs enjoy comfortable living quarters and a challenging culinary ... This is a full-time, exempt position. Essential Functions: * Ships experience forces from wind ...

... full-time associates. * 100% Food Service, 4 bag soup lines, 1 tub line, 18 Kettles, 5 Filling ... Heinz acquired Quality Chef foods in the mid 2000's. In 2015 Kraft and Heinz merged to become Kraft ...

... and full-time associates. 100% Food Service, 4 bag soup lines, 1 tub line, 18 Kettles, 5 Filling ... Heinz acquired Quality Chef foods in the mid 2000's. In 2015 Kraft and Heinz merged to become Kraft ...

... and full-time associates. 100% Food Service, 4 bag soup lines, 1 tub line, 18 Kettles, 5 Filling ... Heinz acquired Quality Chef foods in the mid 2000's. In 2015 Kraft and Heinz merged to become Kraft ...

Showing results 41-60

Full Time Chef information

See Iowa salary details

$9

$23

$41

How much do full time chef jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 5, 2026, the average hourly pay for full time chef in Iowa is $23.13, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.82 and $29.13 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a full time chef?

Full time chefs are professional cooks who work in restaurants, hotels, catering companies, or other food establishments on a consistent, usually 40-hour-per-week basis. They are responsible for planning menus, preparing and cooking meals, managing kitchen staff, and ensuring high standards of food quality and safety. Full time chefs may specialize in specific cuisines or types of dishes, and often oversee inventory, budgeting, and compliance with health regulations. Their role is essential to the daily operations of any food service establishment.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a full time chef?

To thrive as a Full Time Chef, you need strong culinary skills, menu planning expertise, and a relevant culinary degree or apprenticeship. Familiarity with commercial kitchen equipment, food safety certifications, and inventory management systems is typically required. Leadership, creativity, and effective communication are standout soft skills for this role. These skills and qualities are crucial for consistently delivering high-quality dishes, maintaining kitchen efficiency, and leading a cohesive team in a demanding environment.

What are some common challenges faced by full time chefs in a professional kitchen?

Full-time chefs often encounter challenges such as managing high-pressure environments, maintaining consistency in food quality during busy service hours, and efficiently coordinating with kitchen staff. Balancing creativity with menu demands and dietary restrictions can also be demanding. Additionally, chefs must stay updated with food safety standards and often work long or irregular hours, especially during weekends and holidays. However, overcoming these challenges fosters strong teamwork, skill development, and career advancement opportunities.

What is the difference between Full Time Chef vs Part Time Chef?

AspectFull Time ChefPart Time Chef
Work HoursTypically 35-40 hours per weekFewer hours, often less than 20 hours per week
Employment StatusFull-time employment with benefitsPart-time employment, usually no benefits
CertificationsOften requires culinary certifications or experienceSimilar certifications, but less emphasis on experience
Work EnvironmentRestaurants, hotels, catering servicesSame as full-time, but with flexible scheduling

Full Time Chefs work regular, full-week hours with benefits, while Part Time Chefs have flexible, fewer hours without benefits. Both roles require culinary skills and certifications, but the employment structure and hours differ significantly.

What are the most commonly searched types of Chef jobs in Iowa?

The most popular types of Chef jobs in Iowa are:

What cities in Iowa are hiring for Full Time Chef jobs?

Cities in Iowa with the most Full Time Chef job openings:

Infographic showing various Full Time Chef job openings in Iowa as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 80% Full Time, 18% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $48,114 per year, or $23.1 per hour.

$14 - $18.75/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 6 days ago


UnityPoint Health rating

7.3

Company rating: 7.3 out of 10

Based on 364 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

305th of 898 rated healthcare providers


Job description

UnityPoint-St Luke's Hospital

Full-Time

10:30am-7pm

Under the supervision of the Executive Chef, this position is responsible for production of high quality meals for clients. Maintaining an above standard approach to kitchen cleanliness and hygiene, and providing a welcome environment for clients and staff. Assists Executive Chef in testing and development of specific recipes. This includes responsibility to determine quantities of food necessary for client population and ability to adjust recipes as needed. Responsible for storage of perishable foods and avoidance of unnecessary waste. Responsible for cleaning and maintenance of all aspects within the kitchen including dishwashing.


At UnityPoint Health, you matter. We’re proud to be recognized as a Top Place to Work in Healthcare by Becker's Healthcare several years in a row for our commitment to our team members.


Our competitive Total Rewards program offers benefits options focused on your needs and priorities, no matter what life stage you’re in.Here are just a few:


• Expect paid time off, parental leave, 401K matching and an employee recognition program.
• Dental, health and vision insurance, paid holidays, short and long-term disability and more. We even offer pet insurance for your four-legged family members.
• Early access to earned wages with Daily Pay, tuition reimbursement to help further your career and adoption assistance to help you grow your family.

With a collective goal to champion a culture of belonging where everyone feels valued and respected, we honor the ways people are unique and embrace what brings us together.

And, we believe equipping you with support and development opportunities is a vital part of delivering an exceptional employment experience.

Join our team of experts and make a difference with UnityPoint Health.


Creation, Maintenance, and Delivery of Healthy Menu Plans

  • Prepares nutritious and well-balanced meals in accordance with menu
    plan for all clients.
    • Adjusts recipes in accordance with center’s client volumes to avoid
    excessive left-overs and/or unnecessary waste.
    • Adherence to specific dietary restrictions and individual needs.
    • Checks temperature, taste and appearance of all food before serving.
    • Responsible for storage of perishable foods, use of leftover foods and
    avoidance of unnecessary waste.
    • Delivers finished foods to service areas; follows established
    procedures/protocol for planning, plating, presentation and service of
    food.
    • Maintains high standards of sanitation in food production and service.
    • Adheres to policies/procedures for all aspects of food creation, including
    and not limited to scheduled maintenance and cleaning of kitchen
    equipment, such as commercial dishwasher, cooktop and ovens, and
    ensuring the cleanliness of dishes and any utensils.

Purchasing and Storage of food items

  • Assist in rotating supplies to minimize spoilage and waste.
    • Promptly communicate shortages of inventory to ensure sufficient stock
    on hand of food supplies.
    • Promptly communicate any problems encountered with kitchen
    equipment and appliances.
    • Assist Executive Chef in managing the return of damaged items
    delivered by vendors.

Quality Assurance

  • Follows protocols/procedures & policies necessary to ensure food health safety for this site. Responsibility to clean and sanitize kitchen area, food storage, dishes, pots/pans and utensils.
    • Prepares and submits reports (internal & external) as directed.
    • Participates in any quality assurance program and seeks to continuously improve the food program within fiscal and departmental parameters.

Education:  

  • High School Education or Equivalent required. Post-secondary educational courses in a Culinary Arts program preferred.

Experience:  

  • Minimum of 2 years in the culinary field required.

License(s)/Certification(s):  

  • Food Handler Certification • SERVSAFE upon hire. 
  • IA/IL Child Abuse Mandatory Reporter Training in state(s) where providing care required within90 daysof hire. 
  • IA/IL Adult Dependent Abuse Mandatory Reporter Training in state(s) where providing Care required within90 daysof hire. 

What UnityPoint Health employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom


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About UnityPoint Health

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

At UnityPoint Health, we provide care in nine regions throughout Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin. As the nation's fourth largest nondenominational health system in America, UnityPoint Health keeps people at the center of all we do. We are looking for dynamic and talented individuals to join our team. You'll find opportunities for every sized dream.

Industry

Hospitals

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

West Des Moines, IA, US

Year founded

1995