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Master Chef Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

Cook

Gaithersburg, MD · On-site

$18 - $20/hr

Our YOU FIRST Philosophy In addition to no night shifts, ever and our fully chef-curated menu, our ... In other words, you don't need to master the art of flipping an egg to work at First Watch (unless ...

Overview Our YOU FIRST Philosophy In addition to no night shifts, ever and our fully chef-curated ... In other words, you don't need to master the art of flipping an egg to work at First Watch (unless ...

Cook

Alexandria, VA · On-site

$22/hr

Our YOU FIRST Philosophy In addition to no night shifts, ever and our fully chef-curated menu, our ... In other words, you don't need to master the art of flipping an egg to work at First Watch (unless ...

Dishwasher

Alexandria, VA · On-site

$17/hr

Overview Our YOU FIRST Philosophy In addition to no night shifts, ever and our fully chef-curated ... In other words, you don't need to master the art of flipping an egg to work at First Watch (unless ...

Cook

Sterling, VA · On-site

$22/hr

Our YOU FIRST Philosophy In addition to no night shifts, ever and our fully chef-curated menu, our ... In other words, you don't need to master the art of flipping an egg to work at First Watch (unless ...

Cloud Engineer

Mclean, VA · On-site

$56.25 - $75.25/hr

Master's Degree in Information Systems, Computer Science, or Engineering AWS Certified 3+ years' creating recipes with Chef, building cookbooks 3+ years' using cloud based hosting solutions (AWS-EC2 ...

811827 Network Architect $225,000.00

Chantilly, VA · On-site

$67 - $89.75/hr

... Chef, etc.) • Knowledge of Containers (e.g., Dockers, Kubernetes) Qualifications : Required : • Position Requires a Top Secret (TS/SCI) Clearance with a Polygraph. • A Bachelor's or Master ...

Dishwasher

Mclean, VA · On-site

$16 - $18/hr

This role keeps the restaurant's wheels turning, and is the foundation of all of our Chefs' careers ... Tackle problems by using your master multi-tasking and communication skills, and be empowered to ...

Showing results 41-60

Master Chef information

See Washington salary details

$32.3K

$72.5K

$107.6K

How much do master chef jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for master chef in Washington is $72,480.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $56,600.00 and $84,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a master chef?

Master Chefs are highly skilled culinary professionals who have achieved a distinguished level of expertise in the culinary arts. They are often recognized for their exceptional cooking techniques, creativity, and leadership in the kitchen. Master Chefs typically oversee kitchen operations, develop innovative menus, and train junior chefs. Achieving the title of Master Chef often involves years of experience, formal training, and sometimes certification from reputable culinary organizations. They play a key role in maintaining high standards of food quality and presentation in restaurants or hospitality establishments.

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

To thrive as a Master Chef, you need advanced culinary skills, creativity, extensive food knowledge, and often formal culinary training or certification. Mastery of kitchen equipment, food safety protocols, and restaurant management systems is typically expected. Leadership, time management, and effective communication are crucial soft skills for leading kitchen teams and ensuring smooth operations. These competencies are vital for delivering high-quality cuisine, maintaining kitchen efficiency, and ensuring customer satisfaction in a demanding culinary environment.

What are some common challenges master chefs face when managing a kitchen team?

Master Chefs often encounter challenges related to coordinating a diverse kitchen staff, maintaining high standards under pressure, and managing time effectively during busy service periods. Balancing creativity with consistency, training junior team members, and ensuring clear communication among staff are also key aspects of the role. Successful Master Chefs foster a collaborative environment and use their leadership skills to resolve conflicts and keep operations running smoothly.

What is the difference between Master Chef vs Sous Chef?

AspectMaster ChefSous Chef
CredentialsCulinary degree or extensive experience, certificationsSimilar culinary training, often with experience in professional kitchens
Work EnvironmentHigh-end restaurants, culinary competitions, culinary schoolsCommercial kitchens, restaurants, hotels
Role & ResponsibilitiesOversees kitchen operations, menu creation, trainingAssists head chef, manages kitchen staff, supervises food prep

The main difference between a Master Chef and a Sous Chef lies in their responsibilities and status. A Master Chef typically holds a higher level of expertise, oversees entire kitchen operations, and may have additional certifications. A Sous Chef acts as the second-in-command, supporting the head chef and managing daily kitchen activities. Both roles require strong culinary skills and experience, but the Master Chef is often seen as a culinary authority and leader in the industry.

How do I become a master chef?

To become a master chef, one typically gains extensive culinary experience through formal training at culinary schools or apprenticeships, develops advanced cooking skills, and earns certifications such as the Certified Executive Chef credential. Gaining practical experience in professional kitchens and continuously refining techniques are essential steps toward mastery in the field.
Infographic showing various Master Chef job openings in Washington as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 81% Full Time, 9% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 7% Contract. Highlights an 84% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 14% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $72,480 per year, or $34.8 per hour.

Cook

Gaithersburg, MD • On-site

First Watch Restaurants, Inc.
Food and Beverage Stores • 10K+ employees

$18 - $20/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.


Key responsibilities

  • Prepare and deliver high-quality, safe food following established recipes and standards.

  • Maintain a clean, sanitized, and organized station throughout the shift.

  • Communicate effectively with team members to ensure smooth kitchen operations.


First Watch rating

6.2

Company rating: 6.2 out of 10

Based on 130 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

OverviewText "BACON" to 25000 to schedule an interview!
Our YOU FIRST Philosophy
In addition to no night shifts, ever and our fully chef-curated menu, our #1 priority has always been our people. We care about our customers, and we care about you! That's where our YOU FIRST culture begins - each day, we put our employees first and strive to make them happy. They are empowered with an independence to make decisions that will help provide an exceptional breakfast, brunch, or lunch experience for their customers. In fact, we like to say, we love our employees more than bacon. And that says a lot.
A Few of The Perks (and not just the coffee!)
All employees are eligible for the following:
  • Health Insurance*
  • Dental & Vision Coverage
  • Unlimited access to medical and behavioral telemedicine through Cirrus MD
  • Flexible Spending Account - set aside money for health care expenses*
  • Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account - set aside money for dependent care for children up to age 13*
  • 401(K) Retirement Savings Program*
  • 50% meal discount for you, along with spouse / dependent children at all company restaurants
  • Child Discount Program at The Learning Experience
  • Employee Assistance Program and personal / professional coaching
  • Bright Horizon - back up child and elder care
  • Supplemental Insurance (accident, critical illness, indemnity)
  • Paid Time Off (PTO) - must meet the minimum hourly requirements
  • Tuituion Reimbursement & High School Diploma Program
  • Spot Pet Insurance
  • Complimentaty premium access to the Calm App, plus 5 gift subscriptions
  • Perks at Work (over 30,000 discount on purchases for travel, fitness, auto event tickets & more)

*FT Employees are eligible the first of the month after 60 days of employment and must enroll within 30 days of employment.
About The Position
Our Back-of-the-House team members have a mutual respect for quality food, and they perform their responsibilities as if placing a personal signature on every plate. Newly hired cooks will train in a specific station based on their comfort level & innate skill. In other words, you don't need to master the art of flipping an egg to work at First Watch (unless you want to!).
Does this sound like you? Our Cooks (just to name a few):
  • Communicate well with others and believe in the importance of teamwork
  • Are responsible for delivering high-quality, safe food in a fast-paced kitchen
  • Follow our amazing recipes (yep - our Chef is an award winner!) & Use only the freshest ingredients
  • Maintain a clean, sanitized, and organized station
  • Must be at least 18 years of age

Who We AreFirst Watch is the leading Daytime Dining concept serving made-to-order breakfast, brunch and lunch using the freshest ingredients available. Guided by its "Follow the Sun" culinary philosophy, First Watch's chef-driven menu rotates multiple times per year to feature the highest-quality flavors at their peak, offering elevated executions of classic favorites, fresh juices like the Kale Tonic, and fan favorites such as the Lemon Ricotta Pancakes, Quinoa Power Bowl and signature Million Dollar Bacon. For every kid's meal served, First Watch proudly donates a portion to organizations and causes making a positive impact in our communities - raising approximately $2.3 million to date. A recipient of many "Best Breakfast" and "Best Brunch" awards, First Watch was voted #1 Best Breakfast by Newsweek's Readers' Choice Awards 2025, and also named 2025 and 2024's #1 Most Loved Workplace® in America by the Best Practice Institute - an accolade most recently featured in The Wall Street Journal - after appearing on the list in 2022 and 2023, as well. With a commitment to quality, hospitality and community, First Watch is redefining Daytime Dining across more than 660 restaurants in 33 states. For more information, visit www.firstwatch.com.
First Watch is an equal opportunity employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, First Watch will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

What First Watch employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom


First Watch logo

About First Watch

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

First Watch is an award-winning Daytime Dining concept serving made-to-order breakfast, brunch and lunch using fresh ingredients. A recipient of hundreds of local "Best Breakfast" and "Best Brunch" accolades, First Watch's chef-driven menu includes elevated executions of classic favorites along with First Watch specialties such as the protein-packed Quinoa Power Bowl®, Farmstand Breakfast Tacos, Avocado Toast, Chickichanga, Morning Meditation (juiced in-house daily), Vodka Kale Tonic and its famous Million Dollar Bacon. In 2022, First Watch was awarded a sought-after MenuMasters honor by Nation's Restaurant News for its seasonal Braised Short Rib Omelet, recognized with ADP's coveted Culture at Work award and named a Top 100 Most Loved Workplace® by Newsweek and the Best Practice Institute. In 2021, First Watch was recognized as FSR Magazine's Best Menu and as the fastest-growing full-service restaurant chain based on unit growth. There are more than 470 First Watch restaurants in 29 states and the restaurant concept is majority owned by Advent International, one of the world's largest private-equity firms.

Industry

Food and beverage stores

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Bradenton, FL, US