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Maritime Cooking Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Vessel Chef

Long Beach, CA · On-site

$300 - $425/day

Possession of, or ability to acquire an STCW endorsement. * 5 years of experience as a cook in a commercial setting * 3 years of experience as a prep cook * Maritime or cruise industry experience ...

COOK

Vallejo, CA · On-site

$22.25/hr

Cal Poly Maritime Academy * We are hiring immediately for full time and part time COOK positions. * Address : 200 Maritime Academy Drive, Vallejo, CA 94590. Note: online applications accepted only.

PREP COOK

Vallejo, CA · On-site

$20.25/hr

Cal Poly Maritime Academy * We are hiring immediately for full time and part time PREP COOK positions. * Address : 200 Maritime Academy Drive, Vallejo, CA 94590. Note: online applications accepted ...

Cal Poly Maritime Academy * We are hiring immediately for full time and part time COOK positions. * Address : 200 Maritime Academy Drive, Vallejo, CA 94590. Note: online applications accepted only.

Cal Poly Maritime Academy * We are hiring immediately for full time and part time COOK positions. * Address : 200 Maritime Academy Drive, Vallejo, CA 94590. Note: online applications accepted only.

Cook meals for crew members and prepare grocery orders and supply requisitions. Check engine room hourly for leaks, broken fuel and oil lines, etc. Take readings on each watch and maintain engine ...

Cook meals for crew members and prepare grocery orders and supply requisitions. Check engine room hourly for leaks, broken fuel and oil lines, etc. Take readings on each watch and maintain engine ...

Cook meals for crew members and prepare grocery orders and supply requisitions. Check engine room hourly for leaks, broken fuel and oil lines, etc. Take readings on each watch and maintain engine ...

Cook meals for crew members and prepare grocery orders and supply requisitions. Check engine room hourly for leaks, broken fuel and oil lines, etc. Take readings on each watch and maintain engine ...

FOOD SERVICE WORKER

Vallejo, CA · On-site

$18.25/hr

Cal Poly Maritime Academy * We are hiring immediately for part time FOOD SERVICE WORKER positions ... Prior dishwashing, prep, and basic cooking experience is required. * Perks: Free shift meal!

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Maritime Cooking information

What is the difference between Maritime Cooking vs Marine Catering?

AspectMaritime CookingMarine Catering
CertificationsFood safety, maritime safetyFood safety, maritime safety
Work EnvironmentShips, boats, offshore platformsShips, offshore platforms, cruise ships
Industry UsageFisheries, shipping companies, cruise linesFisheries, cruise lines, offshore oil rigs
Job FocusPreparing meals onboard vesselsProviding catering services on ships and offshore

Maritime Cooking and Marine Catering both involve preparing food in maritime environments and require similar safety certifications. Maritime Cooking generally refers to the culinary skills needed to prepare meals onboard ships, while Marine Catering emphasizes the broader catering services provided to passengers and crew. Both roles are essential in the shipping and offshore industries, with overlapping skills but different focuses on meal preparation versus full catering services.

How to become a maritime cook?

To become a maritime cook, you typically need relevant culinary training or experience, along with safety certifications such as STCW (Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers). Experience working in kitchens and knowledge of maritime safety protocols are also important for working on ships or in maritime environments.
What are popular job titles related to Maritime Cooking jobs in California? For Maritime Cooking jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Maritime Cooking jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Maritime Cooking jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Maritime Cooking jobs? Cities in California with the most Maritime Cooking job openings:
Infographic showing various Maritime Cooking job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 68% Full Time, 29% Part Time, and 2% Temporary. Highlights an 100% Physical job distribution.

$300 - $425/day

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life

This job post has expired 1 day ago. Applications are no longer accepted.


Job description

Location: Varies

Department:Marine Transportation

Reports to: Mark Kuehn, Food Services Director

Schedule: Full-time; minimum 40 hours per week and as needed for projects. Long hours, short notice travel, weekend duties. May involve travel to several locations and extended stays outside of home port.


Efficiency. Innovation. Integrity. These are our 3 Pillars. At Curtin Maritime, these core values are the framework for safe performance and operational excellence; proof of these pillars is evident in our people and our fleet. For 25 years, Curtin Maritime has been an industry leader in quality maritime solutions. We are a dynamic Marine Construction and Marine Transportation company experiencing rapid growth. Our team provides customers with a complete suite of maritime solutions, allowing us the incredible opportunity to work on unique projects in some of the most amazing places on earth.

THIS ROLE:

The Chef has responsibility for proper planning, preparation, and cooking for all meals at the facility and off-shore during jobs as needed. He/she will be responsible for menu planning, ordering, and purchasing food and drink items to provide 3 meals per day for the crew while ensuring the highest standard of quality. In addition, the Chef will be responsible to maintain the inventory of snack items, plates, cups, and utensils and ensure an acceptable level of cleanliness and organization in the Galley on the vessel and off-shore. The Chef will provide oversight and guidance to all vessel cooks and boat crews by assisting with menu planning, shopping and safe sanitary practices.

WHAT YOU'LL DO:

  • Purchase all items required for meal preparation and serving
  • Use your experience and creativity to plan menus for Shoreside and offshore meals
  • Prepare and serve meals in a timely manner and according to the meal schedule
  • Ensure cleanliness of the meal preparation workspace and serving area
  • Manage the inventory of food, snacks and drinks to ensure adequate supply and minimize waste
  • Train vessel cooks and boat crew members in safe food handling, meal preparation and sanitary practices
  • Track and report expenditures to accounting using Excel
  • Washing dishes, cooking and serving utensils, and linens
  • Maintain conference room reservations on Outlook
  • Menu planning and meal preparation for crew and off-shore staff as needed

WHO YOU ARE:

  • Possession of, or ability to acquire an MMC (Merchant Mariner Credential)
  • Possession of, or ability to acquire an TWIC
  • Possession of, or ability to acquire an AB (Able-bodied seaman) endorsement, limited or unlimited.
  • Possession of, or ability to acquire an STCW endorsement.
  • 5 years of experience as a cook in a commercial setting
  • 3 years of experience as a prep cook
  • Maritime or cruise industry experience preferred
  • High school diploma or equivalent required
  • Culinary program certification preferred
  • SERV Safe food handler certification required
  • Valid Driver's License with clean driving record required
  • Ability to travel and live on board a vessel for extended periods of time

Mental Aptitudes Required:

  • Self-motivated team player with a strong work ethic
  • Must be able to get along with office staff and vessel crew members
  • Must be able to effectively communicate both written and verbally
  • Confidence to initiate correspondence with crewmembers and staff
  • Must always follow all Company and United States Coast guard rules and regulations
  • Must comply with all work rules, including those that pertain to safety and health

Physical Aptitudes Required:

  • Must meet "fit for duty" requirements upon job offer (pre-employment physical and drug test)
  • The employee must meet physical requirements including but not limited to, walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, climbing up/down ladders and stairs, negotiating uneven and moving surfaces.
  • Ability to maneuver through/in/around small and/or confined areas within the
  • Ability to stand and walk on nearly a constant basis; ability to work long hours each
  • Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
  • Ability to work when exposed to odors, dust, dirt, mechanical hazards, high noise levels, and potentially hazardous equipment.

WHAT WE OFFER:

  • Competitive Compensation
  • Generous benefits package including Medical (Dental, Vision, STD & AD&D/Life Insurance at no cost for employee's coverage) with additional option to elect incremental Life Insurance for employee and dependents and choice to elect Health and/or Dependent Flexible Spending Account

Curtin Maritime is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, or disability status.