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Kitchen Assistant Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

Cunningham Children's Home

Kitchen Assistant

Urbana, IL · On-site

$34K - $48K/yr

Kitchen Assistant (Full-Time) Cunningham Children's Home in Urbana, IL--an organization dedicated to providing a safe and supportive environment where young people can learn, heal, and grow--is ...

Cunningham Children's Home

Kitchen Assistant

Urbana, IL · On-site

$16.81 - $23.54/hr

Kitchen Assistant (Full-Time) Cunningham Children's Home in Urbana, IL-an organization dedicated to providing a safe and supportive environment where young people can learn, heal, and grow-is seeking ...

Le Midi

Kitchen Assistant

Chicago, IL · On-site

$18/hr

Responsibilities * Daily food preparation and mise en place * Assist with preparation and plating of menu items during service * Maintain a clean, organized, and sanitized kitchen and work ...

Upper Crust Food Service

Kitchen Assistant

Evanston, IL · On-site

$16 - $21/hr

Kitchen Assistants support the culinary team by preparing and executing food as directed by the Head Chef and Sous Chef. They maintain a clean and sanitary kitchen, ensure equipment is in order, and ...

Upper Crust Food Service

Kitchen Assistant

Evanston, IL · On-site

$16 - $21/hr

Kitchen Assistants support the culinary team by preparing and executing food as directed by the Head Chef and Sous Chef. They maintain a clean and sanitary kitchen, ensure equipment is in order, and ...

BratHaus

Kitchen Assistant

Richmond, IL

$15/hr

... * assist cooks with food preparation-prepare sauces, control portion sizes, prepare salad, etc * keeping kitchen well stocked with items required for a smooth and successful service * washing ...

Primrose School

Kitchen Assistant

Lake Zurich, IL · On-site

$17 - $19/hr

Follow the daily menu prepared in collaboration with or by the Director. * Assist with ordering food and calculating the amount needed. In order to inspire children to eat healthy, you need a school ...

Bright Horizons

Kitchen Assistant - Evanston

Evanston, IL · On-site

$18 - $20/hr

As a Kitchen Assistant at Bright Horizons , you will support the cook to plan and prepare nutritious, familystyle meals that support children's health, growth, and learning. Each day, your care in ...

CSC Generation

Kitchen Assistant (Sur La Table)

Skokie, IL · On-site

$15 - $15.96/hr

Position Overview As a Kitchen Assistant at Sur La Table, you play a key role in inspiring customers throughout every stage of their culinary experience. With a passion for cooking, hospitality, and ...

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All JobsKitchen JobsKitchen Assistant JobsKitchen Assistant Jobs in Illinois

Kitchen Assistant information

See Illinois salary details

$8

$14

$19

How much do kitchen assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 11, 2026, the average hourly pay for kitchen assistant in Illinois is $14.93, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $13.03 and $16.06 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

Is a kitchen assistant a good first job?

A kitchen assistant is often a suitable first job because it provides basic skills such as food preparation, cleaning, and teamwork. It typically requires minimal prior experience and can help develop work ethic and time management in a fast-paced environment.

What are some common challenges faced by kitchen assistants, and how can they be managed effectively?

Kitchen Assistants often encounter challenges such as working in fast-paced environments, maintaining cleanliness under time pressure, and managing multiple tasks simultaneously. Staying organized, communicating clearly with chefs and team members, and following food safety protocols can help manage these demands effectively. Building strong teamwork skills and being proactive about restocking supplies are also key to thriving in this role.

What is a kitchen assistant?

Kitchen assistants are support staff who help chefs and cooks in the preparation and organization of food in restaurants, cafeterias, or other food service establishments. Their duties often include washing and chopping ingredients, cleaning work areas and utensils, unloading deliveries, and ensuring that the kitchen operates efficiently. They play a crucial role in maintaining hygiene standards and ensuring that meals are prepared in a timely manner. Kitchen assistants typically work under the supervision of more experienced kitchen staff and may have opportunities to learn basic cooking skills. The role can be fast-paced and requires good teamwork and attention to detail.

What is the difference between Kitchen Assistant vs Kitchen Porter?

AspectKitchen AssistantKitchen Porter
ResponsibilitiesAssisting with food prep, cleaning, and basic kitchen tasksCleaning dishes, utensils, and kitchen areas; basic support tasks
Required SkillsBasic cooking knowledge, teamwork, organizationCleaning skills, physical stamina, attention to hygiene
Work EnvironmentCommercial kitchens, restaurants, cateringSame as Kitchen Assistant, often in similar settings
CertificationsFood hygiene certificates often preferredFood hygiene certificates often required

Both roles support kitchen operations but differ mainly in responsibilities. Kitchen Assistants typically handle food prep and basic tasks, while Kitchen Porters focus on cleaning and maintaining hygiene. Both roles are essential in commercial kitchens and often require similar certifications.

What does a kitchen assistant do?

Kitchen assistants perform a number of cooking-related duties, including preparing food, retrieving ingredients from the freezer or other storage locations, and restocking food items. As a kitchen assistant, you may also perform hygiene-related tasks to keep the kitchen clean, such as wiping down equipment or cleaning counters after food preparation. There are usually no educational requirements for the career, but employers prefer that you have relevant work experience in a restaurant setting. Additional qualifications include the ability to follow oral instructions and health and safety procedures, as well as hand dexterity and cooking skills to peel and cut ingredients.

What qualifications are needed to be a kitchen assistant?

Kitchen assistants typically do not require formal qualifications but should have basic cooking skills, good hygiene, and the ability to follow safety procedures. Some employers may prefer candidates with a high school diploma or equivalent, and relevant experience or certifications in food safety can be advantageous.

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

To thrive as a Kitchen Assistant, you need basic food preparation skills, knowledge of food safety, and often a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with kitchen equipment, dishwashing machines, and sometimes food hygiene certifications are typically required. Strong teamwork, attention to detail, and the ability to work efficiently under pressure are important soft skills. These competencies ensure a safe, organized, and productive kitchen environment, supporting overall food quality and service.

What do you do as a kitchen assistant?

A kitchen assistant helps with food preparation, cleaning, and maintaining the kitchen environment. They may wash dishes, organize supplies, and assist chefs or cooks as needed, often working in a fast-paced setting. Basic food safety and hygiene knowledge are important for this role.

How to work as a kitchen assistant?

To work as a kitchen assistant, you should be able to follow safety and hygiene standards, assist with food preparation and cleaning, and work efficiently in a fast-paced environment. Basic skills such as organization, teamwork, and knowledge of kitchen tools are important, and some positions may require food safety certifications. Flexibility with shifts and physical stamina are also beneficial for this role.
More about Kitchen Assistant jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Kitchen jobs in Illinois? The most popular types of Kitchen jobs in Illinois are:
What are popular job titles related to Kitchen Assistant jobs in Illinois? For Kitchen Assistant jobs in Illinois, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Kitchen Assistant jobs in Illinois look for? The top searched job categories for Kitchen Assistant jobs in Illinois are:
What cities in Illinois are hiring for Kitchen Assistant jobs? Cities in Illinois with the most Kitchen Assistant job openings:
Kitchen Assistant jobs near you
Infographic showing various Kitchen Assistant job openings in Illinois as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 50% Full Time, and 50% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $31,055 per year, or $14.9 per hour.

Kitchen Assistant

Cunningham Children's Home

Urbana, IL • On-site

$34K - $48K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 24 days ago

Cunningham Children's Home rating

9.1

Company rating: 9.1 out of 10

Based on 8 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Job description

Kitchen Assistant (Full-Time)

Cunningham Children’s Home in Urbana, IL—an organization dedicated to providing a safe and supportive environment where young people can learn, heal, and grow—is seeking a dependable and experienced Kitchen Assistant.

In collaboration with the kitchen team, this Kitchen Assistant is responsible for preparing, serving, and cleaning up meals for youth and staff within our residential treatment facility and school programs, in accordance with established standards and guidelines. The typical schedule for this position is Tuesday through Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The ideal candidate will be a reliable and efficient team member with a strong understanding of food safety and sanitation practices. This position requires knowledge of public health regulations, as well as experience with bulk food preparation, proper storage, and food distribution.

Qualifications:

  • High school diploma or equivalent
  • Food Service Sanitation Certificate
  • Must be at least 21 years of age
  • Ability to successfully complete a pre-employment drug screen, physical, and background check

We offer our employees the following benefits:

  • Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance

  • Life Insurance

  • Holiday Pay

  • Paid Leave

  • Garner Health & Paytient Card — Healthcare Navigation and Medical Cost Savings Benefits

  • Flexible Spending Account (FSA) & Dependent Care Account (DCA)

  • Accident, Short-Term Disability, and Critical Illness Insurance

  • 401(k) Retirement Plan with up to a 6% Company Match

  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

  • Wellness Program

  • Relocation Assistance

  • Employee Referral Program

We also offer our employees a professional PSLF resource, SavvyFi, to help navigate the loan forgiveness process.

We are committed to the values of spirituality, teamwork, integrity and respect. 

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