1

Union Cook Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

COOK

Sylmar, CA ยท On-site

$19 - $21.40/hr

Union Rescue Mission (URM) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located in the Los Angeles ... COOK ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: * Prepare, cooking and serve meals. * Food prepared must meet quality and ...

COOK

Sylmar, CA ยท On-site

$19 - $21.40/hr

Union Rescue Mission (URM) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located in the Los Angeles ... COOK ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: * Prepare, cooking and serve meals. * Food prepared must meet quality and ...

COOK

Lake View Terrace, CA ยท On-site

$19 - $21.40/hr

Union Rescue Mission (URM) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located in the Los Angeles ... COOK ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: * Prepare, cooking and serve meals. * Food prepared must meet quality and ...

Assistant Cook

Columbia, CA ยท On-site

$16.21 - $20.38/hr

... Columbia Union School District (CUSD) is a one-school elementary district serving about 500 ... Job Summary Assistant Cook Responsibilities include a wide range of tasks that keep the kitchen ...

Cook II

Monterey, CA ยท On-site

$24.80/hr

As an Entry-Level Line Cook, you'll work alongside experienced chefs and contribute to creating ... Union Benefits (offered through the Union): * Life Insurance - Coverage is provided through the ...

Cook I

Monterey, CA ยท On-site

$24.02/hr

As an Entry-Level Line Cook, you'll work alongside experienced chefs and contribute to creating ... Union Benefits (offered through the Union): * Life Insurance - Coverage is provided through the ...

Cook

San Jose, CA ยท On-site

$29.34/hr

A Cook has the same responsibilities as a Chef (Cook Lead) except he/she is not in charge of the ... This is an on-call union position, and all individuals in this role are represented by UNITE HERE!

Cook

Palm Desert, CA ยท On-site

$24.60/hr

Credit Union Membership * Tuition Reimbursement * Professional Counseling & Family Support * Growth and Development Opportunities * *Benefit Eligibility will vary by position Site Specific Perk:

Cook

Palm Desert, CA ยท On-site

$24.60/hr

Credit Union Membership * Tuition Reimbursement * Professional Counseling & Family Support * Growth and Development Opportunities * *Benefit Eligibility will vary by position Site Specific Perk:

$21.20/hr

Credit Union Membership * Tuition Reimbursement * Professional Counseling & Family Support * Growth and Development Opportunities * *Benefit Eligibility will vary by position Site Specific Perks

Cook

Escondido, CA ยท On-site

$21.20/hr

Credit Union Membership * Tuition Reimbursement * Professional Counseling & Family Support * Growth and Development Opportunities * *Benefit Eligibility will vary by position Site Specific Perks

next page

Showing results 1-20

Union Cook information

See California salary details

$8

$15

$21

How much do union cook jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 10, 2026, the average hourly pay for union cook in California is $15.82, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $13.27 and $17.79 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

To thrive as a Union Cook, you need strong culinary skills, knowledge of food safety standards, and typically a high school diploma or culinary certification. Familiarity with commercial kitchen equipment, inventory management systems, and often ServSafe certification is important for daily operations. Attention to detail, teamwork, and the ability to work efficiently under pressure are standout soft skills in this role. These skills ensure consistent food quality, compliance with regulations, and a harmonious, productive kitchen environment.

What is a union cook?

Union Cooks are culinary professionals who are members of a labor union, typically working in environments such as hotels, restaurants, schools, or other food service establishments. Being part of a union means they benefit from collective bargaining agreements that often provide better wages, benefits, job security, and working conditions compared to non-union positions. Union Cooks are responsible for preparing, cooking, and presenting food according to established standards and safety regulations. They may also participate in union meetings and activities to ensure their workplace rights are protected. Their role is vital in maintaining high-quality food service and ensuring fair labor practices in the industry.

What is the difference between Union Cook vs Non-Union Cook?

AspectUnion CookNon-Union Cook
CredentialsMay require union-specific certifications, apprenticeship programsTypically no union-specific credentials needed
Work EnvironmentWorks in unionized facilities with collective bargaining agreementsWorks in non-unionized settings, often with more flexibility
Employer & Industry UsageCommon in large hotels, casinos, and institutional kitchensMore prevalent in small restaurants and independent eateries
Search & Comparison IntentOften compared for benefits, wages, job securityCompared for flexibility, independence, and pay

Union Cooks are employed in unionized environments with collective bargaining, often enjoying better benefits and job security. Non-Union Cooks work in non-union settings, which may offer more flexibility but less job security. The choice depends on individual preferences for benefits versus independence.

What are some common challenges faced by union cooks in a large-scale kitchen environment?

Union Cooks in large-scale kitchen environments often face challenges such as managing high-volume food production while maintaining quality and consistency. They must also adhere strictly to safety and sanitation standards, which can be demanding during busy service periods. Additionally, Union Cooks frequently work as part of a coordinated team, requiring strong communication and adaptability to changing menus or special dietary requests. These challenges are balanced by structured schedules and clear delineation of responsibilities, which help support a collaborative and organized work environment.
What are the most commonly searched types of Cook jobs in California? The most popular types of Cook jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Union Cook jobs in California? For Union Cook jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Union Cook jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Union Cook jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Union Cook jobs? Cities in California with the most Union Cook job openings:
Infographic showing various Union Cook job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 61% Full Time, 37% Part Time, and 2% Temporary. Highlights an 100% Physical job distribution, with an average salary of $32,903 per year, or $15.8 per hour.

$19 - $21.40/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 18 days ago


Job description

Description

COMPANY DESCRIPTION:

Union Rescue Mission (URM) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located in the Los Angeles Metropolitan Area. We are dedicated to serving men, women, and children experiencing homelessness and providing comprehensive emergency and long-term services to help them escape the dangerous streets of Skid Row. Established in 1891, URM is now one of the largest rescue missions of its kind in the United States and the oldest in Los Angeles. Join us at Union Rescue Mission as we bring hope and share the compassion of Christ to those devastated by homelessness.


POSITION SUMMARY:

Prepare quality meals for any of the three meals served every day of the week (up to 300+ meals per shift) and special events. This position frequently works alongside program residents and volunteers and is expected to be totally immersed in the day-to-day operations involved with running an institutional kitchen while practicing safe food handling standards and procedures.


CORE WORK PRINCIPLE:

Colossians 3:23 is the foundation of URM's standard for employment, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as though you were working for the Lord and not for people." The goal for each employee is to enrich and sustain a humble heart attitude; to enrich and sustain a mindset of serving others, treating them with kindness and truth; and to enrich and sustain a zealous desire for achieving work objectives without any ulterior motives or agendas.


COOK ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

  • Prepare, cooking and serve meals.
  • Food prepared must meet quality and Serve-safe standards for taste, temperature (doneness) and visual appeal.
  • Use all equipment in a safe manner according to proper procedures - stove, title skillet, kettle, convection ovens, can openers, knives, steam tables, ice wands, trash compactor, carts)
  • Organizing storage rooms, food racks, labeling and dating and properly rotating food in coolers.ย 
  • Take inventory and check orders that arrive from the warehouse.
  • Follow opening and closing procedures (i.e., ovens turned off, doors locked, all food properly stored)
  • Ensures that high standards of sanitation, cleanliness and safety are always maintained throughout all kitchen areas.
  • Establishes controls to minimize food and supply waste and theft.
  • Establishes and maintains a regular cleaning and maintenance schedule for all kitchen areas and equipment.
  • Periodically visits dining area when it is open to welcome guest.
  • Provide direction to volunteers & apprentices.
  • Supervise any individuals that are working on your shift.
  • Train others on safety, food preparation & cooking, as needed.
  • Displays constant behavior in Christian ministry.
  • Keep close communication with Chaplains regarding program participants.
  • Develop & maintain relationships with ministry & volunteers.
  • Conduct other tasks and projects as assigned by the Kitchen Supervisor.
  • Commitment to URM mission, vision, and core values.
  • Encourage guests in their faith and growth in Jesus Christ.ย 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:ย ย 

In general, the following physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to allow differently abled individuals to perform the essential functions of the job.

  • Must be able to lift 50 lbs.
  • Requires manual dexterity for regular repetitive finger motion and frequently reaching, pulling, pushing and lifting objects and operating equipment.
  • May be exposed to handling hazardous materials such as broken glass

WORK ENVIRONMENT:ย 

In general, the following conditions of the work environment are representative of those that an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to allow differently abled individuals to perform the essential functions of the job within the environment.

  • The office/kitchen is clean, orderly, properly lighted, and ventilated.
  • Noise levels are considered low to moderate.


Requirements

EXPERIENCE/EDUCATION/LICENSURES/CERTIFICATIONS:

  • Minimum of 1 year of cooking experience (school cafeteria, prison, shelter) in preparing food for large volumes of people, preferred.
  • Must be Serve-safe certified or certified with National Registry of Food Safety Professionals (NRFSP).
  • Minimum of 1 year of culinary school or similar vocational training, preferred.
  • High school diploma or equivalent.

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES:

  • Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
  • Must possess basic computer skills.ย 
  • Must be able to operate kitchen equipment properly.
  • Must possess excellent organizational, time management and customer service skills.

#ZR