1

Kitchen Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

At California Pizza Kitchen, we bring the biggest and best parts of ourselves to work and to our communities, and are guided by our ROCKS philosophy (Respect, Opportunity, Communication, Kindness and ...

Kitchen Manager

Arcadia, CA · On-site

$70K - $75K/yr

At California Pizza Kitchen, we bring the biggest and best parts of ourselves to work and to our communities, and are guided by our ROCKS philosophy (Respect, Opportunity, Communication, Kindness and ...

Kitchen Manager

Chino Hills, CA · On-site

$70K - $75K/yr

At California Pizza Kitchen, we bring the biggest and best parts of ourselves to work and to our communities, and are guided by our ROCKS philosophy (Respect, Opportunity, Communication, Kindness and ...

Kitchen Manager

Brea, CA · On-site

$70K - $75K/yr

At California Pizza Kitchen, we bring the biggest and best parts of ourselves to work and to our communities, and are guided by our ROCKS philosophy (Respect, Opportunity, Communication, Kindness and ...

At California Pizza Kitchen, we bring the biggest and best parts of ourselves to work and to our communities, and are guided by our ROCKS philosophy (Respect, Opportunity, Communication, Kindness and ...

Kitchen Manager

Pasadena, CA · On-site

$70K - $75K/yr

At California Pizza Kitchen, we bring the biggest and best parts of ourselves to work and to our communities, and are guided by our ROCKS philosophy (Respect, Opportunity, Communication, Kindness and ...

We are seeking a Kitchen Manager professional to support the Restaurant business by communicating, tracking, training, and coaching all Kitchen Team Members on achieving and exceeding service and ...

Kitchen Manager Reports To Head Chefs Position Summary The Kitchen Manager is responsible for overseeing the daily operations of the kitchen, ensuring efficient execution, exceptional food quality ...

New

Kitchen Manager Reports To Head Chefs Position Summary The Kitchen Manager is responsible for overseeing the daily operations of the kitchen, ensuring efficient execution, exceptional food quality ...

Kitchen Manager

Atascadero, CA · On-site

$23 - $25/hr

Kitchen Manager Job Summary: We are seeking a dedicated and experienced Kitchen Manager to oversee the daily operations of our kitchen. The ideal candidate will ensure that our kitchen runs smoothly ...

KITCHEN MANAGER

Beverly Hills, CA · On-site

$75K - $80K/hr

Kitchen Manager Position Overview: The Kitchen Manager is responsible for overseeing the daily operations of the kitchen, ensuring that all food is prepared to the restaurant's standards and that the ...

Showing results 21-40

Kitchen information

See California salary details

$8

$15

$19

How much do kitchen jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 9, 2026, the average hourly pay for kitchen in California is $15.21, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $13.27 and $16.35 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

Kitchen staff often work in fast-paced environments where multitasking and time management are critical. Common challenges include managing high order volumes, maintaining cleanliness and food safety standards, and effective communication with team members. To manage these challenges, it's important to stay organized, follow established kitchen protocols, and foster open communication with chefs and other staff. Many kitchens also use checklists and pre-shift meetings to coordinate responsibilities and ensure a smooth workflow.

What is a kitchen staff member?

Kitchen staff are employees who work in the kitchen of restaurants, hotels, cafeterias, or other food service establishments. Their roles can include preparing ingredients, cooking food, washing dishes, cleaning the kitchen, and supporting chefs in various tasks. Kitchen staff may include cooks, prep cooks, dishwashers, and kitchen assistants. They play a crucial role in ensuring food is prepared safely, efficiently, and to a high standard of quality.

What is the difference between a kitchen manager and a kitchen assistant?

A kitchen manager ensures that every aspect of the meal service at a restaurant meets the expectations of the customer. In this career, you make sure that you have adequate stock, the kitchen has enough staff to handle all orders, and the food is cooked correctly and served promptly. During busy periods, a manager may check each order to ensure correctness and quality. A kitchen assistant performs a variety of support tasks under the direction of the manager. In this career, you may expedite food service, replenish supplies, perform cooking duties, or serve food to customers. However, you are not held responsible for the ultimate failure or success of a shift.

What are the different jobs in a kitchen?

In a kitchen, common jobs include chefs who prepare and cook food, line cooks who handle specific stations, prep cooks who prepare ingredients, dishwashers who clean utensils and cookware, and kitchen managers who oversee operations. These roles require teamwork, knowledge of food safety, and often specific certifications or training.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a kitchen staff member?

To thrive as a Kitchen Staff member, you need basic food preparation skills, knowledge of food safety, and often a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with kitchen equipment, point-of-sale systems, and food handling certifications like ServSafe are typically required. Teamwork, attention to detail, and the ability to work efficiently under pressure are standout soft skills in this role. These skills and qualities are crucial for maintaining food quality, safety standards, and smooth kitchen operations in a busy environment.

What is the difference between Kitchen vs Line Cook?

AspectKitchenLine Cook
CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; culinary training optionalHigh school diploma; culinary training or apprenticeship often preferred
Work EnvironmentCommercial kitchens, restaurants, cateringSpecific station within a kitchen, working on a particular menu section
Job RoleOversees overall kitchen operations or specific areasPrepares dishes on a specific station during service
Industry UsageBroad term encompassing all kitchen staffSpecific role within the kitchen team, often part of the culinary staff

While "Kitchen" refers broadly to the entire cooking environment and staff, a "Line Cook" is a specialized role focused on preparing dishes at a specific station during service. The line cook is a key part of the kitchen team, working under the supervision of chefs or kitchen managers. Understanding these distinctions helps clarify job expectations and career paths within culinary environments.

What are the most commonly searched types of Kitchen jobs in California? The most popular types of Kitchen jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Kitchen jobs in California? For Kitchen jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Kitchen jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Kitchen jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Kitchen jobs? Cities in California with the most Kitchen job openings:
Infographic showing various Kitchen job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 67% Full Time, 30% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 100% Physical job distribution, with an average salary of $31,628 per year, or $15.2 per hour.

$70K - $75K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement

Posted 18 days ago


California Pizza Kitchen rating

7.2

Company rating: 7.2 out of 10

Based on 28 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

7th of 88 rated restaurants


Job description

At California Pizza Kitchen, we bring the biggest and best parts of ourselves to work and to our communities, and are guided by our ROCKS philosophy (Respect, Opportunity, Communication, Kindness and Service). We are committed to moving people forward and encourage everyone to apply their passion at CPK. So go ahead…be bold, be epic, be YOU!

THE PERKS

  • Comprehensive eight-week training program utilizing several methods of learning including online, book and shoulder-to-shoulder teaching.
  • Tremendously passionate, one-of-a-kind company culture.
  • Opportunities for growth and development. We love promoting from within!
  • Unique electronic learning platform appropriately titled “The Proof” to engage continuous development.
  • All the pizza you can eat! Manager meals while working and a Management Dine-Out card to enjoy with your family and friends.
  • An environment where you can express your unique talents and skills.
  • Employee driven assistance program called the Kindness Fund which lends a helping hand to our team members encountering life challenges.
  • Industry competitive compensation package including bonus potential.
  • Comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision and more.

OUR EXPECTATIONS

  • Delivering a phenomenal guest experience. 
  • Overseeing the day-to-day functioning of the kitchen, ensuring smooth coordination between food preparation, cooking, and plating. Maintain optimal workflow during peak periods and adapt, as necessary.
  • Leading and inspiring the team with a people-first mentality to build on CPK's best in class culture.
  • Building a team around hospitality and culinary execution and developing top talent to drive the business forward - fostering career growth and cross training for the team.
  • Building sales, profitability, and guest counts.
  • Managing the P&L for the restaurant.
  • Meeting financial objectives by forecasting, adjusting labor expenditures, practicing portion controls, preparing budgets, and analyzing variances. 
  • Utilizing excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, to effectively interact with employees, guests, suppliers and senior management. Proficiency in Spanish is a plus.
  • Maintaining a safe and healthy environment by establishing, following, and complying with sanitation standards and procedures

WHO IS CALIFORNIA PIZZA KITCHEN

We are passionate individuals committed to inspiring others by bringing California creativity to every meal! Founded in 1985, former federal prosecutors Rick Rosenfield and Larry Flax combined their fervor for food and fresh ingredients to create innovative, hearth-baked pizzas such as The Original BBQ Chicken, California Club and Thai Chicken that are created in a lively open kitchen. The concept gave California a place in the pizza revolution alongside Chicago and New York. CPK has since become the place for taste makers, rule breakers and earth shakers who conquer challenges by daring to work on the edge and thinking outside the box. 

REQUIREMENTS

  • Minimum of two years BOH management experience in a high volume, faced paced restaurant. 
  • Strong communication skills – verbal and written.
  • Exceptional leadership skills – ability to motivate, inspire and develop a team.
  • Passionate about execution, hospitality and service. 

While performing the duties of this job the employee is frequently exposed to computer terminals. The noise level and temperature is moderate. The employee has the ability to sit, stand and/or walk for up to 10 hours a day. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, bend or kneel, lift up to 40 lbs. and perform other diverse physical tasks as needed. The vision requirements include: close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

NOTE: CPK reserves the right to revise or change the position plan as the need arises. This position plan is not all inclusive of total job responsibilities nor does it constitute a written or implied contract of employment.

A full job description, including physical demands of the job is available upon request.

The current salary range for this position is USD $70,500 to $75,000

Various benefits are available for this position, including 401K, health, dental, vision, and disability insurance through CPK’s designated providers. CPK regularly reviews its benefits offerings and may change benefits and providers from time to time.

California Pizza Kitchen is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any applicant for employment based on race, color, religion, national origin, age, gender, or any other legally protected classification. Everyone has a seat at our table.


What California Pizza Kitchen employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom


California Pizza Kitchen logo

About California Pizza Kitchen

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

California Pizza Kitchen (CPK), based in Los Angeles, California, US, operates in the restaurant industry, particularly renowned for its unique style of pizza. Established in 1985 by attorneys Rick Rosenfield and Larry Flax, CPK quickly gained popularity for its innovative recipes, including the iconic BBQ Chicken Pizza. With a firm commitment to quality and creativity, the mission at CPK is to give a unique dining experience where authentic California-style cuisine is presented in imaginative ways. The company's offerings extend beyond pizzas to include a wide variety of salads, pastas, soups, sandwiches and desserts among other items.

Industry

Food services and drinking places

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Los Angeles, CA, US

Year founded

1985