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How to hire a chef/kitchen manager

Chef/kitchen manager hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring chef/kitchen managers in the United States:

  • There are currently 166,004 chef/kitchen managers in the US, as well as 38,242 job openings.
  • Chef/kitchen managers are in the highest demand in Los Angeles, CA, with 7 current job openings.
  • The median cost to hire a chef/kitchen manager is $1,633.
  • It takes between 36 and 42 days to fill the average role in the US.
  • Human Resources use 15% of their expenses on recruitment on average.
  • On average, it takes around 12 weeks for a new chef/kitchen manager to become settled and show total productivity levels at work.

How to hire a chef/kitchen manager, step by step

To hire a chef/kitchen manager, you should create an ideal candidate profile, determine a budget, and post and promote your job. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to hire a chef/kitchen manager:

Here's a step-by-step chef/kitchen manager hiring guide:

  • Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
  • Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
  • Step 3: Make a budget
  • Step 4: Write a chef/kitchen manager job description
  • Step 5: Post your job
  • Step 6: Interview candidates
  • Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new chef/kitchen manager
  • Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a chef/kitchen manager do?

A kitchen manager or chef is someone who oversees the overall operations in the kitchen as well as the food operations. Kitchen managers make certain that food and related products are well prepared, cooked, and served to customers. They maintain a fully-stocked kitchen inventory and comply with the cleanliness and safety standards. It is their responsibility to manage the kitchen staff and aid them in delivering quality food at the right time. They need to possess management skills, leadership skills, and attention to detail.

Learn more about the specifics of what a chef/kitchen manager does
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  1. Identify your hiring needs

    Before you start hiring a chef/kitchen manager, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

    Determine employee vs contractor status
    Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

    A chef/kitchen manager's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, chef/kitchen managers from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

    The following list breaks down different types of chef/kitchen managers and their corresponding salaries.

    Type of Chef/Kitchen ManagerDescriptionHourly rate
    Chef/Kitchen ManagerA Chef/Kitchen Manager supervises the overall operations for the back of house and kitchen area of a restaurant. They provide professional leadership and direction to kitchen personnel.$16-33
    Lead Line CookTypically, lead line cooks work under the supervision of a chef or head cook in a kitchen. Leadline cooks oversee the food preparation process from start to end... Show more$12-21
    Lead CookA lead cook, or lead line cook, is a professional restaurant employee who is in charge of supervising the chain of food preparation done by line cooks. Lead cooks work directly under head cooks or chefs who provide instructions in preparing meals... Show more$12-22
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • Kitchen Operations
    • Culinary
    • Wine
    • Quality Standards
    • Guest Satisfaction
    • ServSafe
    • Fine Dining
    • Labor Costs
    • Food Service
    • Kitchen Equipment
    • Menu Planning
    • Quality Food
    • Inventory Control
    • Food Production
    Check all skills
    Responsibilities:
    • Manage operations, orderings, and inventorying using POS & software programs.
    • Train and manage all kitchen personnel and supervise as well as coordinated all relate culinary activities.
    • Practice excellent food safety and sanitation practices and comply with HACCP standards.
    • Work both saut and roasting stations.
    • Clean and maintain kitchen, cooking line and appliances according to ServSafe standards.
    • Coordinate and plan seasonal menu s, recipes, and functions within the hotel using POS and software programs
    More chef/kitchen manager duties
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in your chef/kitchen manager job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A chef/kitchen manager salary can vary based on several factors:
    • Location. For example, chef/kitchen managers' average salary in alabama is 47% less than in new york.
    • Seniority. Entry-level chef/kitchen managers earn 51% less than senior-level chef/kitchen managers.
    • Certifications. A chef/kitchen manager with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
    • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a chef/kitchen manager's salary.

    Average chef/kitchen manager salary

    $49,415yearly

    $23.76 hourly rate

    Entry-level chef/kitchen manager salary
    $34,000 yearly salary
    Updated January 23, 2026

    Average chef/kitchen manager salary by state

    RankStateAvg. salaryHourly rate
    1New York$73,116$35
    2California$64,925$31
    3Virginia$61,053$29
    4Washington$59,607$29
    5Delaware$58,949$28
    6District of Columbia$55,381$27
    7Hawaii$52,410$25
    8Oregon$50,823$24
    9Colorado$50,315$24
    10North Carolina$46,882$23
    11Nebraska$46,176$22
    12Indiana$45,638$22
    13Iowa$44,684$21
    14Texas$43,605$21
    15Florida$43,591$21
    16Tennessee$42,967$21
    17Wisconsin$41,990$20
    18Georgia$41,274$20
    19Mississippi$39,967$19
    20South Carolina$38,625$19

    Average chef/kitchen manager salary by company

    RankCompanyAverage salaryHourly rateJob openings
    1Castilleja School$63,046$30.31
    2P.F. Chang's China Bistro$56,492$27.1629
    3Goodwin Recruiting$55,063$26.47
    4HEI Hotels & Resorts$53,367$25.6625
    5Morton's The Steakhouse$52,925$25.44
    6Beach Point Club$52,841$25.40
    7ECI Communications$52,420$25.20
    8Tutta Bella Neapolitan Pizzeria$50,664$24.36
    9Newcomb and$50,409$24.24
    10The HC Companies$50,382$24.2212
    11Kingfish Restaurant$49,839$23.961
    12Iron Oak Holdings LLC$49,641$23.87
    13Master ConcessionAir / World Wide Concessions$49,641$23.876
    14Maple Leaf Foods$49,641$23.87
    15Stingray Energy$49,402$23.75
    16Midas Hospitality$49,395$23.752
    17JEA Senior Living$48,927$23.52
    18Doherty Enterprises$48,800$23.467
    19Farm Burger$48,472$23.30
    20Matador Content$48,351$23.25
  4. Writing a chef/kitchen manager job description

    A good chef/kitchen manager job description should include a few things:

    • Summary of the role
    • List of responsibilities
    • Required skills and experience

    Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a chef/kitchen manager job description:

    Chef/kitchen manager job description example

    * Earn up to 1% wage increase every Quarter

    * Work for us and earn $1000 for each person you refer and is hired

    * Access to earned wages prior to payday

    * Generous PTO Plan

    * Career Development

    * An employee engaged Scheduling system

    * Employee Appreciation events; Attendance Programs,New employee Referral Program

    * Affordable Medical, Dental, Vision, Supplemental Benefits

    * 401K Retirement Plan

    Oh, and did we mention an amazing Team Environment?

    *Some benefits may vary depending on position and employment status

    Purpose:

    Actively prepare meals and manage the operation of the Food Service Department, to include staffing, food ordering and accountability, preparation, menu planning, food delivery and sanitation in accordance with appropriate health department regulations. Assist in maintaining a positive physical and social environment for the residents.

    Minimum Eligibility Requirements:

    * Must be formally trained in food service management or the culinary arts, or have equivalent experience in food service management or the culinary arts.

    * Must be able to relate positively to residents and families, and to work cooperatively with other employees and vendors.

    * Must be capable of maintaining full time attendance.

    * Must meet all health requirements.

    * Must be able to perform duties and responsibilities (Essential Job Functions) with or without reasonable accommodation.

    * At least one-year supervisory experience preferred.

    Essential Functions:

    * Schedule staff, supervise and train dietary staff in day to day kitchen operations. Make job assignments and set priorities. Orient new staff and participate in recruitment and selection. Communicate policies and procedures. Evaluate performance, coaching as necessary. Ensure equipment is maintained and work areas are clean, safe and orderly. Strictly adhere to procedures regarding infection control, food-borne illness prevention, harmful chemical handling, fire, safety and sanitation, promptly addressing any transgression. Maintain food cost within budgetary constraints. Maintain strict inventory control for emergency needs.

    * Plan Facility and individual resident menus in coordination with care staff if necessary. Plan special events as needed.

    * Ensures that meals are prepared according to menu and recipes followed. Ensure food is prepared in a nutritional, appetizing fashion, and presented in an attractive manner. See that appropriate snacks are available to residents with special dietary needs. Ensure all utensils, dishes and equipment and work areas are cleaned properly and in a timely manner. Supervise and inspect food storage.

    * Attend all required in-service training. Conduct periodic training for kitchen personnel as necessary to maintain high quality and variety in menus, and job satisfaction for employees.

    * Ensure compliance and understanding of all regulations regarding resident’s rights.

    #LI-CM1

    Who are We?:

    As a Sinceri Senior Living community and certified Great Place to Work®, we are an established and dedicated senior living care provider, where every team member takes great pride and responsibility in creating Meaningful Moments ® for our residents. We strive to make each resident interaction positive, meaningful, and unique to them. Through an in-depth understanding of our resident’s life stories, we are able to Honor their Experience of Aging and create an environment that feels just like home.

    If you are interested in building your health care career,providing holistic care for our residents and their families, and would like to see what our community has to offer, apply online and join our amazing team.

    Certified by our employees as a Great Place to Work ® for our 4th Year in a row!

    * 93% of our associates shared "My work has special meaning; this is not just a job."

    * 95% of our associates shared "People celebrate around here"

    * 94% of our associates shared "I’m proud to tell others I work here"

    * 91% of our associates shared "People care about each other here"

    Questions about the application process? Come visit us and our staff will be happy to assist you!

  5. Post your job

    To find the right chef/kitchen manager for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

    • Consider internal talent. One of the most important sources of talent for any company is its existing workforce.
    • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and current employees and ask if they know or have worked with chef/kitchen managers they would recommend.
    • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit chef/kitchen managers who meet your education requirements.
    • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter now have more than 3.5 billion users, and you can use social media to reach potential job candidates.
    Post your job online:
    • Post your chef/kitchen manager job on Zippia to find and recruit chef/kitchen manager candidates who meet your exact specifications.
    • Use field-specific websites.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    During your first interview to recruit chef/kitchen managers, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

    Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.

    The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

  7. Send a job offer and onboard your new chef/kitchen manager

    Once you've decided on a perfect chef/kitchen manager candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

    You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

    To prepare for the new chef/kitchen manager first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

  8. Go through the hiring process checklist

    • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
    • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
    • Define job responsibilities and requirements
    • Establish budget and timeline
    • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
    • Write job description
    • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
    • Promote the job internally
    • Process applications through applicant tracking system
    • Review resumes and cover letters
    • Shortlist candidates for screening
    • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
    • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
    • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
    • Conduct background checks on top candidates
    • Check references of top candidates
    • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
    • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
    • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
    • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
    • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
    • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)
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How much does it cost to hire a chef/kitchen manager?

Hiring a chef/kitchen manager comes with both the one-time cost per hire and ongoing costs. The cost of recruiting chef/kitchen managers involves promoting the job and spending time conducting interviews. Ongoing costs include employee salary, training, benefits, insurance, and equipment. It is essential to consider the cost of chef/kitchen manager recruiting as well the ongoing costs of maintaining the new employee.

You can expect to pay around $49,415 per year for a chef/kitchen manager, as this is the median yearly salary nationally. This can vary depending on what state or city you're hiring in. If you're hiring for contract work or on a per-project basis, hourly rates for chef/kitchen managers in the US typically range between $16 and $33 an hour.

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