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Union Chef Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

The Pacific-Union Club

Sous Chef

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$110K - $125K/yr

The Pacific-Union Club is seeking an experienced Executive Sous Chef to join our culinary leadership team. Located atop Nob Hill in San Francisco, the Pacific-Union Club provides a distinctive ...

Bohemian Club

SOUS CHEF-Private Club

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$45 - $46/hr

Position Responsibilities The hourly Sous Chef is tasked with the preparation, production, and ... This position is a Local 2 union represented position and requires one to pay monthly union dues to ...

Compass Group

Sous Chef

Mountain View, CA · On-site

$76K - $80K/yr

We are hiring immediately for a Sous Chef. * Location : Mountain View, CA * Schedule : Open ... Union Experience: Experience managing in a Union Environment is a plus. Associates at Bon Appetit ...

Compass Group

Sous Chef CPU

San Jose, CA

$76K - $78K/yr

We are hiring immediately for a Sous Chef * Location : San Jose, CA * Schedule : Sunday through ... Union Experience: Experience managing in a Union Environment is a plus. Associates at Bon Appetit ...

Bon Appetit

Sous Chef CPU

San Jose, CA · On-site

$76K - $78K/yr

We are hiring immediately for a Sous Chef * Location : San Jose, CA * Schedule : Sunday through ... Union Experience: Experience managing in a Union Environment is a plus. Associates at Bon Appétit ...

Compass Group

Sous Chef CPU

San Jose, CA · On-site

$76K - $78K/yr

We are hiring immediately for a Sous Chef * Location : San Jose, CA * Schedule : Sunday through ... Union Experience: Experience managing in a Union Environment is a plus. Associates at Bon Appétit ...

Bon Appetit

Pastry Sous Chef

San Jose, CA · On-site

$76K - $80K/yr

Pastry Sous Chef (Meadow Point) Salary: $76,240 - $80,000 / year Location: Onsite in San Jose, CA ... Union Experience: Experience managing in a Union Environment is a plus. Apply to Bon Appetit today!

Compass Group

Sous Chef CPU

San Jose, CA · On-site

$76K - $78K/yr

We are hiring immediately for a Sous Chef * Location : San Jose, CA * Schedule : Sunday through ... Union Experience: Experience managing in a Union Environment is a plus. Associates at Bon Appétit ...

Compass Group

Pastry Sous Chef

San Jose, CA · On-site

$76K - $80K/yr

Pastry Sous Chef (Meadow Point) Salary: $76,240 - $80,000 / year Location: Onsite in San Jose, CA ... Union Experience: Experience managing in a Union Environment is a plus. Apply to Bon Appetit today!

Compass Group

Pastry Sous Chef

San Jose, CA · On-site

$76K - $80K/yr

Pastry Sous Chef (Meadow Point) Salary: $76,240 - $80,000 / year Location: Onsite in San Jose, CA ... Union Experience: Experience managing in a Union Environment is a plus. Apply to Bon Appetit today!

Compass Group

Pastry Sous Chef

San Jose, CA · On-site

$76K - $80K/yr

Pastry Sous Chef (Meadow Point) Salary: $76,240 - $80,000 / year Location: Onsite in San Jose, CA ... Union Experience: Experience managing in a Union Environment is a plus. Apply to Bon Appetit today!

Bon Appetit

Pastry Sous Chef

Mountain View, CA · On-site

$76K - $80K/yr

Pastry Sous Chef Salary: $76,240 - $80,000 / year Location: Onsite in Mountain View, CA Hours ... Union Experience: Experience managing in a Union Environment is a plus. Associates at Bon Appétit ...

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Union Chef information

What is a union chef?

A Union Chef is a professional chef who is a member of a labor union that represents culinary workers. These chefs typically work in environments where the workforce is unionized, such as hotels, convention centers, or large-scale dining establishments. Union chefs benefit from collectively bargained agreements that provide standardized wages, benefits, job security, and workplace protections. Their responsibilities are similar to those of other chefs, including menu planning, food preparation, and kitchen management, but they also adhere to the rules and guidelines set forth by their union.

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

To thrive as a Union Chef, you need advanced culinary skills, menu planning expertise, and often completion of a culinary arts program or apprenticeship, along with relevant food safety certifications. Familiarity with commercial kitchen equipment, inventory management systems, and union workplace protocols is typically required. Strong leadership, teamwork, and time management skills set top chefs apart in managing kitchen staff and maintaining high service standards. These competencies ensure efficient operations, consistent food quality, and adherence to union regulations, which are crucial for success in this role.

What are some unique challenges union chefs face when managing kitchen staff in a unionized environment?

Union Chefs often work within strict guidelines regarding scheduling, job duties, and workplace policies set by collective bargaining agreements. This means they must carefully coordinate staffing and task assignments while respecting seniority and union rules. Navigating these requirements can be challenging, especially during busy periods or when last-minute changes are needed. However, strong communication and collaboration with both staff and union representatives help ensure smooth operations and a positive work environment.

What is the difference between Union Chef vs Line Cook?

AspectUnion ChefLine Cook
CredentialsMay require culinary certifications, union membershipTypically culinary training or experience
Work EnvironmentUnionized kitchens, structured work hoursVaries, often non-unionized kitchens
Employer & Industry UsageCommon in large hotels, resorts, unionized restaurantsWidespread across various restaurants, non-union
Search & Comparison IntentOften compared for union benefits, job stabilityCompared for entry-level roles, daily tasks

The main difference between a Union Chef and a Line Cook lies in union membership and work environment. Union Chefs are part of organized labor unions, often working in unionized establishments with structured benefits and work hours. Line Cooks are typically non-unionized, focusing on daily kitchen tasks. Both roles require culinary skills, but Union Chefs often have additional union-related credentials and job protections.

Are union chefs in a union?

Union chefs are typically members of a labor union that represents culinary professionals, such as the International Culinary Federation or local hospitality unions. Being part of a union often provides collective bargaining, job protections, and benefits. Membership depends on the employer and the specific union agreements in place.

What are the most commonly searched types of Chef jobs in California?

The most popular types of Chef jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Union Chef jobs?

Cities in California with the most Union Chef job openings:

Union Chef jobs near you
Infographic showing various Union Chef job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 70% Full Time, 26% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution.

Sous Chef

San Francisco, CA • On-site

The Pacific-Union Club
See more jobs at The Pacific-Union Clubexternal

$110K - $125K/yr

Full-time

Posted 12 days ago

Job description

The Pacific-Union Club is seeking an experienced Executive Sous Chef to join our culinary leadership team.

Located atop Nob Hill in San Francisco, the Pacific-Union Club provides a distinctive culinary environment combining à la carte dining, special events, and banquets. Our kitchen serves a membership that values quality, consistency, and thoughtful hospitality.

This is one of two Executive Sous Chef positions and is primarily responsible for afternoon and evening culinary leadership, including dinner service and the close of kitchen operations. Working closely with the Executive Chef and fellow Executive Sous Chef, this position provides hands-on leadership to an experienced culinary team while helping maintain exceptional standards across all aspects of the kitchen.

What You Will Be Responsible For

  • Lead afternoon and evening kitchen operations, including preparation, production, dinner service, and closing.
  • Maintain high standards of food quality, taste, presentation, consistency, and sanitation.
  • Train, coach, and develop culinary and kitchen utility employees.
  • Help execute à la carte dining, banquets, private events, Club functions, and employee meals.
  • Contribute to menu development while respecting the Club's culinary traditions and introducing thoughtful contemporary ideas.
  • Partner with the Executive Chef and fellow Executive Sous Chef to ensure strong communication and continuity across the operation.
  • Support scheduling, staffing, purchasing, inventory, food safety, and other kitchen management responsibilities.

What We're Looking For

  • Successful experience as a Sous Chef, Executive Sous Chef, Chef de Cuisine, Restaurant Chef, or comparable culinary leader required.
  • Strong classical cooking foundation with an appreciation for contemporary and diverse cuisines desired.
  • Experience successfully leading and developing a professional culinary team required.
  • Experience with both à la carte dining and banquets or special events strongly desired.
  • Private club, luxury hotel, fine dining, or other high-end hospitality experience is preferred.
  • Experience working in a unionized culinary environment is helpful and desired.
  • Culinary education, formal training, apprenticeship, or equivalent professional experience preferred. American Culinary Federation certification is desirable.
  • Within six months of hire, the Executive Sous Chef must achieve and maintain certification as a food safety professional.
  • Basic pastry knowledge is helpful and desired.

Schedule

This position is scheduled to provide culinary leadership during the afternoon and evening operation, including dinner service and the close of kitchen operations. Schedule flexibility is required based on the needs of the Club, including daytime hours, weekends, holidays, and special events. The Club does not offer regular lunch or dinner service on Saturdays, although special events are occasionally scheduled, and there is no regular Sunday service.

More detail about The Pacific-Union Club, please visit https://culinaryagents.com/entities/1189899-The-Pacific-Union-Club