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Restaurant Associate Jobs in Kent, WA (NOW HIRING)

Sous Chef

Seattle, WA · On-site

$80K - $82K/yr

Become part of Restaurant Associates, the industry's leading provider of dining and event catering for some of the nation's most prestigious museums, performing arts centers and corporations! Voted ...

BARISTA

Seattle, WA · On-site

$30.30/hr

Become part of Restaurant Associates, the industry's leading provider of dining and event catering for some of the nation's most prestigious museums, performing arts centers and corporations! Voted ...

Become part of Restaurant Associates, the industry's leading provider of dining and event catering for some of the nation's most prestigious museums, performing arts centers and corporations! Voted ...

Become part of Restaurant Associates, the industry's leading provider of dining and event catering for some of the nation's most prestigious museums, performing arts centers and corporations! Voted ...

BARISTA (FULL TIME)

Seattle, WA · On-site

$30.30/hr

Become part of Restaurant Associates, the industry's leading provider of dining and event catering for some of the nation's most prestigious museums, performing arts centers and corporations! Voted ...

As an Associate, you will be required to uphold a high standard of integrity and ethics in order to ... Panda Restaurant Group, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to providing equal ...

Become part of Restaurant Associates, the industry's leading provider of dining and event catering for some of the nation's most prestigious museums, performing arts centers and corporations! Voted ...

Become part of Restaurant Associates, the industry's leading provider of dining and event catering for some of the nation's most prestigious museums, performing arts centers and corporations! Voted ...

Become part of Restaurant Associates, the industry's leading provider of dining and event catering for some of the nation's most prestigious museums, performing arts centers and corporations! Voted ...

COOK

Seattle, WA · On-site

$24/hr

Become part of Restaurant Associates, the industry's leading provider of dining and event catering for some of the nation's most prestigious museums, performing arts centers and corporations! Voted ...

Become part of Restaurant Associates, the industry's leading provider of dining and event catering for some of the nation's most prestigious museums, performing arts centers and corporations! Voted ...

Become part of Restaurant Associates, the industry's leading provider of dining and event catering for some of the nation's most prestigious museums, performing arts centers and corporations! Voted ...

COOK (ON CALL)

Seattle, WA · On-site

$30/hr

Become part of Restaurant Associates, the industry's leading provider of dining and event catering for some of the nation's most prestigious museums, performing arts centers and corporations! Voted ...

COOK

Seattle, WA · On-site

$30/hr

Become part of Restaurant Associates, the industry's leading provider of dining and event catering for some of the nation's most prestigious museums, performing arts centers and corporations! Voted ...

Service Team

Lakewood, WA

$17 - $22.75/hr

Join us as a Service Team Associate We're looking for friendly team players to create a warm ... Panda Restaurant Group, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to providing equal ...

Showing results 41-60

Restaurant Associate information

See Kent, WA salary details

$9

$17

$31

How much do restaurant associate jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 21, 2026, the average hourly pay for restaurant associate in Kent, WA is $17.38, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.13 and $17.64 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a restaurant associate?

Restaurant Associates are employees who support daily operations in a restaurant, including tasks like taking orders, serving food, preparing simple dishes, and ensuring customer satisfaction. They may also help with cleaning, stocking supplies, and assisting kitchen staff as needed. The role requires good communication skills, multitasking, and a friendly attitude to provide a positive dining experience for guests. Restaurant Associates are essential for maintaining a smooth and efficient service environment.

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

To thrive as a Restaurant Associate, you need strong customer service skills, basic food safety knowledge, and often a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with point-of-sale (POS) systems, food handling certifications, and kitchen equipment is typically required. Exceptional communication, teamwork, and the ability to stay calm under pressure help you stand out in this role. These skills ensure efficient service, customer satisfaction, and a smooth-running restaurant environment.

What are some typical challenges a restaurant associate might face during busy shifts, and how can they manage these effectively?

During peak hours, Restaurant Associates often encounter challenges such as handling multiple customer requests simultaneously, maintaining accuracy in orders, and ensuring quick service under pressure. Effective time management, clear communication with both kitchen staff and fellow associates, and staying organized are key strategies to manage these situations. Many restaurants provide training on multitasking and customer service to help associates excel during high-demand periods, and teamwork plays a crucial role in keeping operations smooth.

What is the difference between Restaurant Associate vs Food Service Worker?

AspectRestaurant AssociateFood Service Worker
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; food safety certification often preferredHigh school diploma or equivalent; food safety certification often required
Work EnvironmentRestaurants, cafes, fast food outletsRestaurants, cafeterias, catering services
Employer & Industry UsageCommonly used in hospitality and food service industryWidely used in food service establishments and institutional settings
Job ResponsibilitiesAssisting customers, taking orders, maintaining cleanlinessPreparing food, serving customers, cleaning

Both roles involve customer service and food handling, but a Restaurant Associate typically focuses more on customer interaction and order management, while a Food Service Worker may have broader food preparation duties. The roles often overlap, but the title 'Restaurant Associate' is more common in retail and fast food chains, emphasizing customer service.

What are the most commonly searched types of Restaurant jobs in Kent, WA?

The most popular types of Restaurant jobs in Kent, WA are:

What job categories do people searching Restaurant Associate jobs in Kent, WA look for?

The top searched job categories for Restaurant Associate jobs in Kent, WA are:

What cities near Kent, WA are hiring for Restaurant Associate jobs?

Cities near Kent, WA with the most Restaurant Associate job openings:

Infographic showing various Restaurant Associate job openings in Kent, WA as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 64% Full Time, 30% Part Time, 3% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $35,633 per year, or $17.1 per hour.

$80K - $82K/yr

Full-time, Part-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 27 days ago


Compass Group rating

6.4

Company rating: 6.4 out of 10

Based on 1,093 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

347th of 495 rated business services


Job description

We have an opening for a Sous Chef position

  • Location: Seattle, Washington
  • Schedule: Monday - Friday
  • Pay Range: $80,000 - $82,000 / year

We Make Applying Easy!  Want to apply to this job via text messaging?  Text JOB to 75000 and search requisition ID number 1547229.

The advertised program is a conversational recruiting assistant that helps you apply to jobs with Compass Group. Message frequency varies. Message and data rates may apply. Text STOP to opt out or HELP for help. Terms and conditions: http://olivia.paradox.ai/moSkg

Become part of Restaurant Associates, the industry's leading provider of dining and event catering for some of the nation's most prestigious museums, performing arts centers and corporations! Voted Glassdoor's Employee Choice AwardsBest Places to work This is R/A !

Job Summary:

Working as the Sous Chef, you will be responsible for the successful operation of the Culinary Department for a facility. You will assist in the supervision, preparation, and cooking of various food items, developing daily menu items and their preparation and garnishment. You may supervise hourly associates and you work with Executive Chef/Chef to develop new menus and assist with ordering. This is an exciting opportunity for an energetic, entrepreneurial Culinary professional. 

Key Responsibilities:

  • Assists the Executive Chef with managing cost controls and control expenditures for the account
  • Assists the Executive Chef with planning and creating menus
  • Produces and execute catering events
  • Rolls out new culinary programs in conjunction with Company marketing and culinary team

Preferred Qualifications:

  • A.S. or equivalent experience
  • Some progressive culinary/kitchen management experience, depending upon formal degree or training
  • Catering experience a plus
  • High volume, complex foodservice operations experience - highly desirable
  • Institutional and batch cooking experiences helpful
  • Comprehensive knowledge of food and catering trends with a focus on quality, production, sanitation, food cost controls, and presentation
  • Must be experienced with computers; to include Microsoft Office (Word, Excel and Power Point), Outlook, E-mail and the Internet
  • Must be willing to participate in client satisfaction programs/activities 
  • ServSafe certified - highly desirable

Associates at Restaurant Associates are offered many fantastic benefits.

Both full-time and part-time positions offer the following benefits to associates:

  • Retirement Plan
  • Associate Shopping Program
  • Health and Wellness Programs
  • Discount Marketplace
  • Identity Theft Protection
  • Pet Insurance
  • Voluntary Benefits, including Critical Illness Insurance, Accident Insurance, Hospital Indemnity Insurance, Legal Services, and Choice Auto and Home Program

In addition, full-time positions also offer the following benefits to associates:

  • Medical
  • Dental
  • Vision
  • Life Insurance/AD
  • Disability Insurance
  • Commuter Benefits
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)

Abides by all Company policies and procedures including but not limited to: 

  • The use of a medium weight cut gloves when handling or using knives, peelers, choppers, mandolins or cleaning a slicer. 
  • The use of oven mitts, fryer gloves or steamer gloves when handling hot pans from ovens, warmers or steamtables. 
  • The use of slip-resistant shoes and proper lifting techniques. 

Associates may also be eligible for paid and/or unpaid time off benefits in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. For positions in Washington State, Maryland, or to be performed Remotely, click here or copy/paste the link below for paid time off benefits information.

https://www.compass-usa.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/2023_WageTransparency_RA.pdf

About Compass Group: Achieving leadership in the foodservice industry

Compass Group is an equal opportunity employer.  At Compass, we are committed to treating all Applicants and Associates fairly based on their abilities, achievements, and experience without regard to race, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other classification protected by law.
 

Qualified candidates must be able to perform the essential functions of this position satisfactorily with or without a reasonable accommodation. Disclaimer: this job post is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all essential responsibilities, skills, tasks, or requirements associated with this position. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the position posted, the Company reserves the right to modify or change the essential functions of the job based on business necessity.

Certain positions may require Florida Level 2 background screening. Details: https://info.flclearinghouse.com/ 

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis. 


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