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Student Chef Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Chef Come join us at Carmel Terrace! A Faith-Based, Assisted and Independent Living community ... Student Loan Forgiveness Guidance * Health (Aetna) PPO or HSA with employer contribution * Vision ...

Chef Manager

Alton, IL · On-site

$50K - $55K/yr

Chef Manager Monday-Friday | 10-Month Schedule | Summers Off | $2,000 Sign-On Bonus If you love ... Small school environment with approximately 300 students * Opportunity to create fresh, scratch ...

New

Santa Maria Program Chef Location: Santa Maria, CA Compensation: $70,400 plus full benefits ... Increasing student satisfaction and meal participation by improving meal quality, service, and ...

Santa Maria Program Chef Location: Santa Maria, CA Compensation: $70,400 plus full benefits ... Increasing student satisfaction and meal participation by improving meal quality, service, and ...

Chef

Framingham, MA · On-site

$27/hr

Chef Come join us at Carmel Terrace! A Faith-Based, Assisted and Independent Living community ... Student Loan Forgiveness Guidance * Health (Aetna) PPO or HSA with employer contribution * Vision ...

Santa Maria Program Chef Location: Santa Maria, CA Compensation: $70,400 plus full benefits ... Increasing student satisfaction and meal participation by improving meal quality, service, and ...

$70K - $97K/yr

The Executive Chef ensures high-quality food service aligned with department and institutional goals, student satisfaction, and fiscal responsibility. Authority and Accountability This position ...

The Preschool Chef will be responsible for creating nutritious, high-quality meals for our young students that meet dietary restrictions and standards. They will be expected to remain on budget by ...

Preschool Chef

Murrieta, CA · On-site

$16 - $18/hr

The Preschool Chef will be responsible for creating nutritious, high-quality meals for our young students that meet dietary restrictions and standards. They will be expected to remain on budget by ...

School Chef

Defiance, MO · On-site

$36K/yr

School Chef Starting Pay 36,000 Legacy Creators Academy Defiance, MO Legacy Creators Academy is seeking a passionate and dependable School Chef to prepare fresh, nutritious meals for our students ...

Preschool Chef

Murrieta, CA · On-site

$16 - $18/hr

The Preschool Chef will be responsible for creating nutritious, high-quality meals for our young students that meet dietary restrictions and standards. They will be expected to remain on budget by ...

Sous Chef

Hawthorn, PA

$40K - $55K/yr

Sous Chef Apply now Job no: 720857 Location: Hawthorn Work type: Full Time Categories: Chef, Chef ... Create exciting menus that appeal to multi-demographic students with fresh produce and student ...

Showing results 21-40

Student Chef information

See salary details

$16K

$51.2K

$98.5K

How much do student chef jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for student chef in the United States is $51,195.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $33,000.00 and $60,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a student chef?

Student chefs are individuals who are currently studying culinary arts, often in a culinary school or related educational program. They learn various cooking techniques, kitchen safety, food preparation, and presentation skills under the guidance of professional chefs and instructors. Student chefs may participate in hands-on training, internships, and sometimes work in student-run restaurants or cafeterias as part of their education. Their main goal is to gain the knowledge and practical experience needed to work professionally in the culinary industry.

What is the difference between Student Chef vs Kitchen Assistant?

AspectStudent ChefKitchen Assistant
Required CredentialsBasic culinary training, culinary school studentsMinimal; on-the-job training often provided
Work EnvironmentCommercial kitchens, culinary schoolsCommercial kitchens, restaurants, catering
Employer & Industry UsageRestaurants, hotels, culinary programsRestaurants, catering services, hotels
Common Search & Comparison IntentLearning culinary skills, gaining experienceSupporting kitchen operations, assisting chefs

In summary, a Student Chef is typically a culinary student gaining hands-on experience and may have basic training, while a Kitchen Assistant supports daily kitchen operations with minimal credentials. Both roles are essential in culinary environments but serve different purposes in skill development and operational support.

What skills and qualifications are needed to thrive as a student chef?

To thrive as a Student Chef, you need foundational culinary skills, basic knowledge of food safety, and typically enrollment in a culinary arts program. Familiarity with kitchen equipment, recipe management software, and food safety certifications like ServSafe are commonly required. Creativity, attention to detail, teamwork, and the ability to handle feedback are valuable soft skills in this role. These skills ensure that Student Chefs can learn efficiently, maintain high standards, and contribute positively to a professional kitchen environment.

What challenges do student chefs face during practical training, and how can they overcome them?

Student chefs often encounter challenges such as managing time efficiently during meal preparation, adapting to fast-paced kitchen environments, and balancing coursework with hands-on practice. To overcome these hurdles, it's helpful to develop strong organizational skills, actively seek feedback from instructors and peers, and practice multitasking in realistic kitchen settings. Building a supportive network with classmates and taking advantage of mentorship opportunities can also ease the transition and foster growth in both culinary skills and confidence.
More about Student Chef jobs
What cities are hiring for Student Chef jobs? Cities with the most Student Chef job openings:
What states have the most Student Chef jobs? States with the most job openings for Student Chef jobs include:
Infographic showing various Student Chef job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 79% Full Time, 19% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $51,195 per year, or $24.6 per hour.

$65K - $70K/yr

Other

Posted 18 days ago


Southwest Foodservice Excellence rating

5.8

Company rating: 5.8 out of 10

Based on 39 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

48th of 68 rated caterers


Job description

Bring Flavor to the Frontlines ? Become a District Chef in K-12 Food Service!Are you a passionate chef who wants to inspire teams and create meals that truly matter? As a District Chef, you?ll design menus, lead culinary training, and elevate school food across an entire region. This role blends creativity with impact, giving you the chance to mentor cooks, shape food programs, and bring bold, nutritious flavors to students every day.Position SummaryThe District Chef plays a critical role in the planning and execution of school meal programs. This includes creating balanced menus, developing recipes, ensuring food safety standards, and training kitchen teams. The position serves as a hands-on leader, helping maintain high culinary standards while supporting operations across multiple schools.Key ResponsibilitiesPrepare and cook food according to standardized recipes and production recordsCreate new recipes using commodity and purchased ingredientsConduct taste tests and chef demonstrations with students and staffDesign cost-effective, appealing, and nutritionally balanced student menusEnter menus into the nutritional analysis programPlace food and supply orders while monitoring cost controlTrain kitchen staff on food safety, HACCP, cooking techniques, and presentationCollaborate with Cafeteria Managers to ensure meal qualityFollow all local health department and company safety regulationsSupervise and evaluate kitchen team membersSubmit reports as assigned and ensure timely complianceSupport other duties as assigned to improve culinary operationsQualificationsHigh school diploma or GED requiredAssociate?s degree in Culinary Arts or related bachelor?s degree strongly preferred3+ years of experience in kitchen/back-of-house operationsPrior school food service experience strongly desiredKnowledge of budgeting and food cost control requiredStrong culinary skills with hands-on leadership experienceFood safety certification (or food handler?s card within 2 weeks of hire) requiredMust be able to pass a background check, fingerprinting, and MVR auditClear, professional communication skillsProficiency with Microsoft Office and basic computer systemsMust be respectful, inclusive, and able to work with diverse communitiesBasic cooking and cleaning abilities requiredPhysical & Work Environment RequirementsMust be able to stand for long periods (up to 5 hours)Regular bending, lifting (up to 50 lbs), reaching, and moving requiredRegularly uses hands and must be able to hear and communicate clearlyMust be able to work a full-time schedule, occasionally including 6?7 day workweeksTypical workweek is 50?60 hoursModerate noise levels; computer and phone use requiredTravel to schools and company meetings may be requiredWe are an Equal Opportunity Employer, Gender/Minority/Veterans/Disabled and participates with E-Verify Employment Eligibility Program


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