ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Traveling Chef Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Elior North America

Traveling Chef Manager

Minneapolis, MN · On-site

$60K - $65K/yr

Traveling Chef Manager Job Reference Number: 41135 Employment Type: Full-Time , Onsite Segment: Dining & Events Brand: Corporate-Chefs Location: Bloomington , Minnesota (US-MN) [[location_obj]] The ...

Upper Crust Food Service

Traveling Chef

Denver, CO · On-site

The Traveling Chef is tasked with providing coverage for Head Chefs nationwide. This role requires traveling to various locations to address personnel gaps in kitchens. While on-site, the Traveling ...

Upper Crust Food Service

Traveling Chef

Las Vegas, NV · On-site

The Traveling Chef is tasked with providing coverage for Head Chefs nationwide. This role requires traveling to various locations to address personnel gaps in kitchens. While on-site, the Traveling ...

Pearl of Joliet

Traveling Chef Manager

Joliet, IL

The Traveling Chef Manager position includes the following but is not limited to: * Traveling to different locations and providing necessary culinary and managerial support. * Leading staff with ...

Hilton Garden Inn

Traveling Chef

Omaha, NE · On-site

Discounts at all Kinseth Hotel Corporation hotels and restaurants TRAVELING CHEFS needed to travel among our 130 hotels in 18 states (and growing!) to provide customer service to guests of our hotels ...

Kinseth Hospitality

Traveling Chef

West Des Moines, IA · On-site

Discounts at all Kinseth Hotel Corporation hotels and restaurants TRAVELING CHEFS needed to travel among our 130 hotels in 18 states (and growing!) to provide customer service to guests of our hotels ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsFood JobsRestaurant JobsExecutive Chef JobsTraveling Chef Jobs

Traveling Chef information

See salary details

$5

$21

$36

How much do traveling chef jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 29, 2026, the average hourly pay for traveling chef in the United States is $21.91, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $19.47 and $21.15 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a traveling chef?

A traveling chef is a culinary professional who moves from place to place, preparing meals for clients in a variety of settings. They may work for private clients, events, resorts, or even on yachts and in vacation homes. Traveling chefs often bring their own tools and ingredients, adapting to different kitchens and dietary preferences. Their job combines culinary expertise with flexibility and the ability to deliver high-quality food experiences in diverse locations.

What does a traveling chef do?

As a traveling chef, your responsibilities depend on the type of work you do. Some traveling chefs accompany their clients whenever they travel to provide personal meal services for them. Other traveling chefs work on a freelance basis and supplement their desire to travel by working as a chef along their journeys. Some traveling chefs take work on cruises or other excursions. Traveling chefs may also provide cooking consulting for restaurants, helping them to develop menus and launch or grow an establishment.

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

To thrive as a Traveling Chef, you need advanced culinary skills, menu planning expertise, and often a degree from a culinary school or equivalent professional experience. Familiarity with industry-standard kitchen equipment, food safety certifications, and reservation or inventory management software is typically required. Exceptional adaptability, cultural sensitivity, and strong communication skills distinguish top professionals in this role. These skills are essential for consistently delivering high-quality cuisine and service in diverse and frequently changing environments.

What are some common challenges faced by a traveling chef, and how can they be managed?

Traveling Chefs often encounter challenges such as adapting to unfamiliar kitchens, managing limited resources, and accommodating diverse client preferences. Flexibility and strong organizational skills are key to overcoming these obstacles. Building a portable toolkit, maintaining clear communication with hosts, and quickly assessing new environments help ensure smooth operations. Additionally, being well-versed in various cuisines and dietary restrictions allows Traveling Chefs to provide exceptional service in any setting.

What is the difference between Traveling Chef vs Personal Chef?

AspectTraveling ChefPersonal Chef
CredentialsCulinary certifications, culinary school diplomaCulinary certifications, culinary school diploma
Work EnvironmentTraveling to clients' locations, hotels, resortsPrivate homes, clients' residences
Employer & IndustryHotels, cruise lines, catering companies, private clientsIndividual clients, families, high-net-worth individuals
Work ScopePreparing meals on-site at various locationsPreparing meals exclusively at clients' homes

While both Traveling Chefs and Personal Chefs have culinary certifications and work in client-focused environments, Traveling Chefs typically prepare meals at multiple locations such as hotels or cruise ships, whereas Personal Chefs work exclusively in private homes. The roles overlap in skills but differ mainly in work setting and scope.

More about Traveling Chef jobs

What cities are hiring for Traveling Chef jobs?

Cities with the most Traveling Chef job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Traveling Chef jobs?

The most popular types of Traveling Chef jobs are:

Who are the top companies hiring for Traveling Chef jobs?

The top employers for Traveling Chef jobs are:

What states have the most Traveling Chef jobs?

States with the most job openings for Traveling Chef jobs include:

What job categories do people searching Traveling Chef jobs look for?

The top searched job categories for Traveling Chef jobs are:

Traveling Chef jobs near you
Infographic showing various Traveling Chef job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 61% Full Time, 17% Part Time, and 21% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $45,566 per year, or $21.9 per hour.

Traveling Chef Manager

Elior North America

Minneapolis, MN • On-site

$60K - $65K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

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

Job description

Traveling Chef Manager

Job Reference Number: 41135
Employment Type: Full-Time, Onsite 
Segment: Dining & Events
Brand: Corporate-Chefs
Location: Bloomington, Minnesota (US-MN) [[location_obj]]

The Role at a glance:

We are looking to add an experienced, motivated Traveling Chef Manager for our Corporate Chefs and Lancer Hospitality team. As a traveling chef manager, you will have the opportunity to prepare innovative cuisine and manage BOH operations. This position will be a traveling chef manager for Lancer Hospitality and Corporate Chefs units in the Twin Cities area.

The Traveling Chef Manager is a dynamic, high-impact culinary leader responsible for supporting multiple accounts across Lancer Hospitality and Corporate Chefs. This role operates as a floating chef/manager, providing on-site leadership during periods of transition, peak operating times PTO, vacations, or vacancies.

The Traveling Chef Manager serves as a stabilizer and performance driver, ensuring continuity in food quality, safety, team leadership, and client satisfaction. This individual partners closely with Chef Managers and operations leadership to uphold brand standards, execute culinary programs, and deliver consistent, high-quality guest experiences and will directly report to District Manager.

What you'll be doing:

Operational Support & Coverage

Provide on-site culinary and managerial leadership during:

  • Chef PTO/vacation coverage
  • Open or transitional leadership roles
  • High-volume or peak operating periods (POT)
  • Assume full responsibility of kitchen operations including:
  • Production and execution
  • Staffing and scheduling
  • Ordering and inventory management
  • Food safety and sanitation compliance
  • AR and accounting as needed - Dependent on leave status to who they are supporting

Culinary Execution & Program Support

  • Execute and reinforce Lancer and Corporate Chefs culinary standards, recipes, and menu programs
  • Support rollout and consistency of:
  • Seasonal menus
  • Promotional programs
  • Client-driven initiatives
  • Partner with Chef Managers to improve:
  • Menu execution
  • Plate presentation
  • Speed of service

Leadership & Team Development

  • Provide hands-on leadership, coaching, and mentorship to kitchen teams
  • Support Chef Managers with:
  • Training and onboarding
  • Performance coaching
  • Accountability to standards
  • Step in as the acting Food Service Manager/Chef Manager when needed

Standards, Compliance & Financial Performance

Ensure strict adherence to:    

  • Health department regulations
  • Company food safety and sanitation standards
  • Allergen awareness and compliance protocols
  • Support locations in achieving:
  • Food cost control targets
  • Labor efficiency goals
  • Waste reduction initiatives
  • Identify operational gaps and implement immediate corrective actions

Client & Business Support

  • Maintain a strong, professional presence with clients and stakeholders
  • Support account teams in delivering contractual expectations and service excellence
  • Provide feedback and reporting to leadership on:
  • Operational challenges
  • Team performance
  • Opportunities for improvement
What we're looking for:
What we're looking for:

Must-haves:

  • 3+ years of progressive culinary leadership experience (Executive Chef, Chef Manager, Food Service manager or similar)
  • Strong background in multi-unit or high-volume foodservice operations is a plus
  • Proven ability to step into new environments quickly and drive results
  • ServSafe Certification
  • Willingness to travel frequently across assigned regions

Nice-to-haves:

  • Experience in contract foodservice, hospitality, corporate dining, or attractions (zoos, museums, venues)
  • Experience with menu development and program execution
  • Previously worked in a corporate culinary structure
Compensation Range

$60,000-65,000/yr. dependent on experience. #LIGG1 #boost

Our Benefits:
  • Medical (FT Employees)
  • Dental
  • Vision
  • Voluntary UNUM offering for Accident, Critical Illness and Hospital Indemnity
  • Discount Program
  • Commuter Benefits (Parking and Transit) 
  • EAP
  • 401k
  • Sick Time
  • Holiday Pay (9 paid holidays)
  • Tuition Reimbursement (FT Employees)
  • Paid Time Off 

About Corporate Chefs:

Offering foodservice management services to businesses across 17 states and the District of Columbia, Corporate Chefs is an on-site restaurant company that works to provide excellent dining solutions to our clients. With over 30 years of industry experience, we pride ourselves on cooking every meal from scratch, sourcing our ingredients locally, and focusing on the health and wellbeing of our clients.

About Elior North America:

Elior North America is an equal opportunity employer.  Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status. We are committed to diversity and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and abilities. We take pride in supporting the development of our employees and their skills at all levels and in fostering an environment of growth.

At Elior North America, we are committed to offering growth and advancement opportunities for all of our employees. The valuable skills and experience you've gained with Elior will propel you further in your career, whether with our corporate office or one of our brand segments.

Disclaimer: This job description can be revised  by management as needed.

Elior North America logo

About Elior North America

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Elior North America enhances people's lives through culinary innovation and a commitment to providing exemplary service. Our family of companies, with more than 17,000 employees, provides food services and catering to over 1,500 client accounts in five industry segments across the continental United States. We are proud to be the fifth largest culinary management company in the country and excited to be the fastest growing organization in the industry. We focus on three ingredients for success to differentiate Elior from our competitors and position our company as a disruptor in the markets we serve. To support our ingredients for success and drive our mission and values, we need talented team members throughout our family of companies.

Industry

Food and beverage stores

Company size

501 - 1,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Charlotte, NC, US

Year founded

2008

View All Elior North America Jobs

Apply