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Weekend Cooking Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

Memorial Health

Cafe Associate

Decatur, IL · On-site

$15.50 - $21.44/hr

Every other weekend * Cook experience preferred Prepares and serves food in the cafeteria and performs other duties. Qualifications High school diploma or equivalent preferred. Food service ...

Memorial Health

Cafe Associate

Decatur, IL

$15.50 - $21.44/hr

Every other weekend * Cook experience preferred Prepares and serves food in the cafeteria and performs other duties. High school diploma or equivalent preferred. Food service experience is preferred.

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Weekend Cooking information

See Illinois salary details

$9

$16

$21

How much do weekend cooking jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 11, 2026, the average hourly pay for weekend cooking in Illinois is $16.58, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.66 and $18.41 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by weekend cooks, and how can they be managed?

Weekend cooks often face the challenge of managing a high volume of orders in a short timeframe, as weekends typically see increased customer traffic. Efficient prep work, time management, and clear communication with other kitchen staff are crucial for maintaining quality and speed. It's also important to adapt quickly to menu changes or special requests, and to stay organized under pressure. Building strong teamwork skills and staying proactive during slower periods can help prevent stress during peak hours.

What is the difference between Weekend Cooking vs Weekend Chef?

AspectWeekend CookingWeekend Chef
CredentialsBasic culinary knowledge, food safety certificationsProfessional culinary training, certifications often preferred
Work EnvironmentHome kitchens, small catering events, food blogsRestaurants, catering services, private events
Employer & IndustryIndividuals, small businesses, food mediaRestaurants, catering companies, hospitality industry
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

Weekend Cooking typically refers to individuals preparing food during weekends, often for personal enjoyment, blogging, or small-scale catering. Weekend Chef usually denotes a professional or semi-professional cook working in restaurants or catering services during weekends. While both roles involve culinary skills, Weekend Chefs often have formal training and work in commercial settings, whereas Weekend Cooks may operate more informally or as hobbyists.

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

To thrive as a Weekend Cook, you need basic culinary skills, knowledge of food safety, and experience with meal preparation, often backed by a food handler’s permit or relevant training. Familiarity with commercial kitchen equipment, point-of-sale (POS) systems, and inventory management tools is typically required. Strong time management, teamwork, and communication skills help ensure smooth operations, especially during busy service hours. These skills are crucial for delivering quality meals efficiently while maintaining a safe and collaborative kitchen environment.

What are weekend cooking jobs?

Weekend cooking jobs typically involve preparing and serving meals during weekends, often in restaurants, catering services, hotels, or private homes. These positions may include roles such as line cook, prep cook, personal chef, or event caterer. Weekend cooking jobs are ideal for individuals looking for part-time work or extra income, and they often require flexibility, food safety knowledge, and basic culinary skills. Responsibilities can range from food preparation and cooking to cleaning and ensuring kitchen safety standards are met.
What are the most commonly searched types of Cooking jobs in Illinois? The most popular types of Cooking jobs in Illinois are:
What cities in Illinois are hiring for Weekend Cooking jobs? Cities in Illinois with the most Weekend Cooking job openings:
Weekend Cooking jobs near you

COMMERCIAL COOKING TECHNICIAN

Great Lakes South Town

Elgin, IL • On-site

$25 - $50/hr

Full-time

Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 7 days ago

Job description

Up to $5,000 sign-on bonus for qualifying technicians
"If you have at least 3 years of experience working with commercial kitchen and cooking equipment, we want you to apply!"
Commercial Kitchen Equipment (Hot Side) Service Technician
Great Lakes Serviceis seeking qualifiedCommercial Kitchen Service Technicians (hot side)for our team in Illinois, Indiana and the surrounding areas. We are responsible for troubleshooting, diagnosing, and repairing commercial kitchen equipment at customer locations.
Let's start off with WHY you should work for us....
  • Competitive Hourly Rates and Overtime Pay.
  • Company Vehicle and Cell Phone.
  • Awesome benefits such asmedical, dental, vision, and life insurance.
  • Paid Time Off (PTO), including holidays.
  • 401k with Company Match.
  • Technical Training Opportunities.
  • Town Shares program, which allows you to share in the long-term financial success of our company as you grow with us.
  • Pay: $25.00 to $50.00+ per hour,based on experience
What does a Commercial Service Technician do?
  • Install, troubleshoot, diagnose, and repair Commercial Kitchen Equipment.
  • Provide excellent customer service by meeting expectations on every service call.
  • Complete service calls promptly.
  • Identify new customers and opportunities within existing accounts.
  • Participate in after-hours and weekend on-call schedules.
  • Maintain service vehicle and order necessary parts.
  • Regularly lift and/or move up to 50 pounds; frequently lift and/or move up to 100 pounds with assistance and lift equipment.
Schedule:
  • Standard Monday to Friday, 7:30 AM - 4:30 PM
  • Swing shifts available
  • We are a 24/7 company, on-call hours required
What we need from you:
  • Minimum of three yearsof prior experience in commercial kitchen repair or equivalent military technical roles.
  • Electrical, electronic, and mechanical skills.
  • Excellent customer communication skills.
  • Successful completion of drug screen and criminal background screening
  • Must be at least 18 years of age.
  • Driving record must align with our safety standards
It would be awesome if you had:
  • CFESA certifications
Veterans encouraged to apply!
About Great Lakes Service
Great Lakes Service is the Midwest leader in repair and maintenance for commercial cooking, refrigeration, HVAC, ware-washing, beverage, and ice machine equipment. Integrity-driven, we serve our customers with qualified technicians, outstanding customer service, innovative technology, a high first-time fix rate, and the best response times in the industry. At Great Lakes Service, we make it our mission to create higher industry standards that change the perception of service companies in the markets we serve. As a dedicated service partner, our goal is to eliminate downtime and lost revenue with proactive solutions that help our customers run a more profitable business. Let us know if you want to be part of our team! To learn more, please visit us at: http://www.greatlakesservice.com
Great Lakes Service is an equal-opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
Great Lakes Service is a division of Unlimited Service Group, "All Unique All United
Employment Type: Full-Time

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