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Production Chef Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Production Chef

San Mateo, CA · On-site

$90K - $105K/yr

You must have a minimum of 5 years experience with Turkish Cuisine, in a fast pace high volume environment Main Responsibilities of a Production Chef: Full ownership of production schedule in the ...

Food production and plating for service as directed by Executive Chef, Lead Production Chef, or Culinary Chef Lead. * Efficient production with minimal waste during all phases of recipe preparation ...

production pastry baker

Santa Ynez, CA · On-site

$23 - $35/hr

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Pastry Production / Viennoiserie Production Chef The Baker's Table - Santa Ynez, CA Pay: $25-$35 per hour DOE Job Type: Full-time Join Our Team The Baker's Table is an artisan bakery and café in the ...

Able to delegate production needs to all level of cooks * Assist the Executive Chef and Production Chef as needed * Assumes other related duties as required or assigned JOB SKILLS OR QUALIFICATIONS:

Production Sous Chef

Groveland, CA · On-site

$25/hr

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

We're looking for a Production Sous Chef who is excited about providing memorable cuisine and hospitality experiences and helping support a fun and rewarding work environment. WHY YOU'LL LOVE IT HERE

Production Sous Chef

Groveland, CA · On-site

$25/hr

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

We're looking for a Production Sous Chef who is excited about providing memorable cuisine and hospitality experiences and helping support a fun and rewarding work environment. WHY YOU'LL LOVE IT HERE

Head Chef

Costa Mesa, CA · On-site

$86K - $108K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Head Chef Job Location: Santa Ana-USA-92626 Work Location Type: On-Site Salary Range: $86,417.73 ... Monitor production levels, inventory, and food supplies to keep operations running smoothly and ...

Head Chef

Costa Mesa, CA · On-site

$86K - $108K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Head Chef Job Location: Santa Ana-USA-92626 Work Location Type: On-Site Salary Range: $86,417.73 ... Monitor production levels, inventory, and food supplies to keep operations running smoothly and ...

Pay: $23-$26 per hour Key Responsibilities of the Chef ... Learns and maintains standards in food production and quality. * Expedites orders in a timely ...

Chef

Sonora, CA · On-site

$23 - $26/hr

Pay: $23-$26 per hour Key Responsibilities of the Chef ... Learns and maintains standards in food production and quality. * Expedites orders in a timely ...

Lead Pastry Cook

Santa Ynez, CA

$25 - $35/hr

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Pastry Production / Viennoiserie Production Chef The Baker's Table - Santa Ynez, CA Pay: $25-$35 per hour DOE Job Type: Full-time Join Our Team The Baker's Table is an artisan bakery and café in the ...

Sous Chef Production Location: Universal City, CA 91608 Duration: 12 Months Job Type: Contract Work Type: Onsite Shift: (Mon-Fri) (9.00 AM-6.00 PM) Responsibilities: * Provide direction, coaching ...

Sous Chef- Carmel, CA

Carmel, CA

$80K - $85K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Qualifications: * 2+ years in a Sous Chef or comparable leadership role in fine dining or upscale ... Lead daily prep and service alongside BOH team; ensure product quality and execution standards

SOUS CHEF

San Diego, CA · On-site

$70K - $73K/yr

Production Cooks, Prep Cooks, Event Chefs, Kitchen Assistants, Event Kitchen Staff (as assigned) About The Wild Thyme Company At The Wild Thyme Company, we handcraft delicious, local, and seasonal ...

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Showing results 1-20

Production Chef information

See California salary details

$29.1K

$69.9K

$112.5K

How much do production chef jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 19, 2026, the average yearly pay for production chef in California is $69,944.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $55,300.00 and $79,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a production chef?

A Production Chef is a culinary professional responsible for preparing large quantities of food, often for institutions like schools, hospitals, or catering companies. Their role involves planning menus, supervising kitchen staff, ensuring food safety standards, and efficiently producing meals in bulk. Production Chefs focus on consistency, quality control, and meeting production deadlines while managing kitchen operations and resources. They may also be involved in ordering supplies and maintaining equipment to ensure smooth kitchen workflow.

How does a production chef typically collaborate with other kitchen staff to manage high-volume meal preparation?

A Production Chef plays a key leadership role in coordinating with line cooks, prep staff, and kitchen assistants to ensure smooth, efficient meal production, especially in high-volume settings like catering or institutional kitchens. They often delegate specific tasks, oversee quality control, and maintain clear communication to meet tight deadlines and consistency standards. Collaboration is essential, as the Production Chef must integrate input from front-of-house managers and adapt to last-minute changes or dietary requests while maintaining a positive team environment.

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

To thrive as a Production Chef, you need strong culinary expertise, time management, and a solid understanding of food safety standards, often supported by a culinary degree or relevant certifications. Familiarity with large-scale kitchen equipment, inventory management systems, and HACCP protocols is typically required. Leadership, teamwork, and clear communication are vital soft skills for efficiently coordinating kitchen staff and maintaining high production standards. These skills ensure consistent food quality, operational efficiency, and adherence to safety regulations in high-volume food service environments.

What is the difference between Production Chef vs Line Cook?

AspectProduction ChefLine Cook
CredentialsCulinary degree or equivalent experienceHigh school diploma or culinary training
Work EnvironmentKitchen, overseeing multiple stations and staffKitchen station, preparing specific dishes
Industry UsageRestaurants, catering, food production facilitiesRestaurants, hotels, catering services
ResponsibilitiesMenu planning, staff management, quality controlFood preparation, cooking, station setup

The main difference between a Production Chef and a Line Cook lies in their responsibilities and scope of work. A Production Chef typically oversees multiple stations, manages staff, and handles menu planning, while a Line Cook focuses on preparing specific dishes at their station. Both roles require culinary skills, but the Production Chef has a broader managerial and planning role within the kitchen environment.

What are popular job titles related to Production Chef jobs in California?

For Production Chef jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Production Chef jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Production Chef jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Production Chef jobs?

Cities in California with the most Production Chef job openings:

Infographic showing various Production Chef job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 89% Full Time, 7% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 2% Nights. Highlights an 92% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $69,944 per year, or $33.6 per hour.

$90K - $105K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 26 days ago


Job description

Company Introduction:

We're a local bay area brand. We strongly believe that fresh food made in-house using only the finest ingredients just tastes better. We prepare our dishes using only EVOO, fresh herbs and spices and slow roast our naturally-raised meats rotisserie style. We assure you that every bite will be as tasty as it is nutritious.

You must have a minimum of 5 years experience with Turkish Cuisine, in a fast pace high volume environment

Main Responsibilities of a Production Chef:

Full ownership of production schedule in the commissary

Recipe development

Preparing workstations, cooking ingredients, and kitchen equipment for cooking.

Cooking and arranging food.

Recipe development, and execution

Ability to train

Chef Description:

We are looking for an experienced chef to fill a vacant spot in our kitchen staff and contribute to the overall excellence of our restaurant and company.

The person we are hoping to employ is first and foremost a skilled, organized, and creative chef. We are looking for someone to work as a team player, lead by example, follow company policy, and help us delight our customers with delicious food from our menu. In addition to cooking prowess, great communication and organizational skills are paramount.

A good candidate for this job is a person with attention to detail who can keep the kitchen tidy and clean all while preparing, cooking, and arranging food together with the rest of our kitchen staff. We pride ourselves in our exceptional service, and we expect nothing less from our team.

Day to day tasks

Maintaining a sanitized and well-organized kitchen.

Preparing workstations for cooking.

Preparing and maintaining kitchen equipment.

Checking the quality of the ingredients.

Preparing cooking ingredients using various techniques.

Cooking food using various culinary techniques.

Arranging food and ensuring appealing presentation.

Manage food storage, stock, and ingredient orders.

Must have prior experience as a chef.

Must be skilled in operating kitchen equipment.

Must be skilled in various cooking techniques.

Must know and follow sanitation procedures.

Must showcase teamwork and communication skills.

Must showcase great organizational skills.

Must be able to multitask and act quickly.

We're a local bay area brand. We strongly believe that fresh food made in-house using only the finest ingredients just tastes better. We prepare our dishes using only EVOO, fresh herbs and spices and slow roast our naturally-raised meats rotisserie style. We assure you that every bite will be as tasty as it is nutritious.

Education:{"credentialcategory":"bachelor degree","@type":"EducationalOccupationalCredential"}Employment Type: FULL_TIME