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Union Chef Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Role Overview Lead Culinary Excellence as a Chef Manager at Yale New Haven Hospital Sodexo is ... Lead, train, and supervise a unionized workforce (1199 experience strongly preferred) * Oversee ...

Chef Manager

New Haven, CT · On-site

$58K - $76K/yr

Role Overview Lead Culinary Excellence as a Chef Manager at Yale New Haven Hospital Sodexo is ... Lead, train, and supervise a unionized workforce (1199 experience strongly preferred) * Oversee ...

Chef

Newark, DE

$75K - $85K/yr

Join OTG as a Chef now at EWR and drive a new type of hospitality. Explore career opportunities in ... Experience working with unionized employees preferred. Knowledge of FDA and/or major US ...

Executive Chef

Boston, MA · On-site

$130K - $145K/yr

Ci Siamo is a restaurant from Danny Meyer's Union Square Hospitality Group and James Beard semifinalist Chef Hillary Sterling. This New York Times Top 100 restaurant celebrates the beauty of ...

Senior Sous Chef Salary: $75,000 to $100,000 Other Forms of Compensation ... Bonus Founded in 2005 as Hudson Yards Catering, Union Square Events is a culinary and operations ...

Senior Sous Chef Salary: $75,000 to $100,000 Other Forms of Compensation ... Bonus Founded in 2005 as Hudson Yards Catering, Union Square Events is a culinary and operations ...

Pastry Sous Chef Salary: $70,000 to $80,000 Founded in 2005 as Hudson Yards Catering, Union Square Events is a culinary and operations leader in the hospitality industry, partnering with a diverse ...

Pastry Sous Chef

Brooklyn, NY · On-site

$70K - $80K/yr

Pastry Sous Chef Salary: $70,000 to $80,000 Founded in 2005 as Hudson Yards Catering, Union Square Events is a culinary and operations leader in the hospitality industry, partnering with a diverse ...

Senior Sous Chef

Manhattan, NY · On-site

$75K - $100K/yr

Senior Sous Chef Salary: $75,000 to $100,000 Other Forms of Compensation ... Bonus Founded in 2005 as Hudson Yards Catering, Union Square Events is a culinary and operations ...

Pastry Sous Chef Salary: $70,000 to $80,000 Founded in 2005 as Hudson Yards Catering, Union Square Events is a culinary and operations leader in the hospitality industry, partnering with a diverse ...

Cafe Chef

Manhattan, NY · On-site

$80K - $85K/yr

Union Square Hospitality Group (USHG) has created some of New York's most beloved restaurants ... The Cafe Chef leads with a spirit of excellence, care, and hospitality, ensuring consistent, high ...

Chef de Cuisine Salary: $100,000 to $110,000 Other Forms of Compensation ... Founded in 2005 as Hudson Yards Catering, Union Square Events is a culinary and operations leader ...

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Union Chef information

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$10

$24

$44

How much do union chef jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 11, 2026, the average hourly pay for union chef in the United States is $24.63, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.83 and $31.01 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 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 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.

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 cities are hiring for Union Chef jobs? Cities with the most Union Chef job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Chef jobs? The most popular types of Chef jobs are:
What states have the most Union Chef jobs? States with the most job openings for Union Chef jobs include:
Infographic showing various Union Chef job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 77% Full Time, 22% Part Time, and 1% Temporary. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $51,225 per year, or $24.6 per hour.
Chef Manager

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 9 days ago


Sodexo rating

6.3

Company rating: 6.3 out of 10

Based on 1,122 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

312th of 449 rated business services


Job description

Role Overview
Lead Culinary Excellence as a Chef Manager at Yale New Haven Hospital

Sodexo is seeking an experienced and hands-on Chef Manager to join our dynamic culinary team at Yale New Haven Hospital (YNHH), York Street Campus. YNHH is a prestigious 1,541-bed academic medical center-the second-largest hospital in the United States-renowned for excellence in patient care, innovation, and clinical leadership.

This is a high-profile leadership opportunity for a culinary professional who thrives in a fast-paced healthcare environment and is passionate about delivering high-quality patient dining experiences.

Reporting directly to the Culinary Executive 1 (CE1) and General Manager, the Chef Manager oversees a team of approximately 25 union frontline employees and plays a critical role in ensuring the safe, efficient, and high-quality delivery of patient meals. This role is primarily responsible for evening operations, including food production, tray line oversight, and patient meal service excellence.

As Chef Manager, you will lead the coordination of patient dinner meal service and oversee sanitation operations-both essential to the safe and efficient delivery of patient meals. You will work as part of a collaborative culinary leadership team that includes the Director of Culinary Services, two Executive Chefs supporting the main patient tray line, a Retail Executive Chef, and a Procurement Manager, ensuring seamless operations across all areas of service.

Why Join Us?

This is a unique opportunity to grow your culinary leadership career within one of the nation's most respected healthcare systems. You'll be part of a team that is dedicated toenhancing the patient experience through outstanding food and service.

What You'll Do
  • Lead, train, and supervise a unionized workforce (1199 experience strongly preferred)
  • Oversee patient meal service for dinner, ensuring meals meet quality, safety, and timeliness standards
  • Provide hands-on leadership in food production and tray line operations during evening shifts
  • Maintain strict compliance with food safety standards, HACCP, Joint Commission, and local health regulations
  • Manage and monitor sanitation operations to ensure a clean, safe environment
  • Collaborate closely with the Director of Culinary Services, Executive Chefs, Retail Executive Chef, and Procurement Manager to ensure seamless operations across all service areas
  • Foster a team-oriented, positive work environment focused on quality, service, and continuous improvement
What We Offer

Compensation is fair and equitable, partially determined by a candidate's education level or years of relevant experience. Salary offers are based on a candidate's specific criteria, like experience, skills, education, and training. Sodexo offers a comprehensive benefits package that may include:

  • Medical, Dental, Vision Care and Wellness Programs
  • 401(k) Plan with Matching Contributions
  • Paid Time Off and Company Holidays
  • Career Growth Opportunities and Tuition Reimbursement

More extensive information is provided to new employees upon hire.

What You Bring
  • Strong culinary background with supervisory or management experience
  • Healthcare food service experience highly preferred
  • Prior experience managing unionized teams required (1199 preferred)
  • Solid knowledge of food safety, sanitation standards, and HACCP compliance
  • Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-volume environment
  • Excellent communication, leadership, and team-building skills
  • Hands-on leadership style with a commitment to operational excellence
Who We Are

At Sodexo, our purpose is to create a better everyday for everyone and build a better life for all. We believe in improving the quality of life for those we serve and contributing to the economic, social, and environmental progress in the communities where we operate. Sodexo partners with clients to provide a truly memorable experience for both customers and employees alike. We do this by providing food service, catering, facilities management, and other integrated solutions worldwide.

Our company values you for you; you will be treated fairly and with respect, and you can be yourself. You will have your ideas count and your opinions heard because we can be a stronger team when you're happy at work. This is why we embrace diversity and inclusion as core values, fostering an environment where all employees are valued and respected. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to individuals regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender identity, pregnancy, disability, sexual orientation, military status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. If you need assistance with the application process, please complete this form.

Qualifications & Requirements

Minimum Education Requirement - High School Diploma or GED or Equivalent
Minimum Management Experience - 1 year


    Employment Type: FULL_TIME

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