Free chef job description template
Fill in the [brackets] and cut anything that doesn’t fit your job. Unlock one-tap copy and PDF download free with your email.
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Chef job description template · Fill in the [brackets]
Chef
About the job
[Business name] is hiring a Chef who leads the kitchen: menus, recipes, ordering, quality and the cooks who prepare the food. [One or two sentences about your business and why someone would want to work there.]
What you’ll do
- Check the freshness of food and ingredients
- Supervise and coordinate the activities of cooks and other food preparation workers
- Develop recipes and determine how to present dishes
- Plan menus and ensure the quality of meals
- Inspect supplies, equipment and work areas for cleanliness and functionality
- Hire, train and supervise cooks
- Order and maintain an inventory of food and supplies
- Monitor sanitation practices and follow kitchen safety standards
What you need
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Kitchen experience, typically several years [specify]
- Food handler certification [if required where you operate]
- Able to work evenings, weekends and holidays
Nice to have
- Culinary training
- Menu costing experience
How to apply
[Apply link, email or phone], by [date].
[Business name] is an equal opportunity employer.
✓ Unlocked. Use the buttons above the template to copy it or save it as a PDF.
Example: the template filled in for a small business
Hypothetical example for Harvest Table, a 60-seat family restaurant.
Harvest Table is hiring a Chef to run our kitchen (Tuesday to Saturday, afternoons and evenings). You'll write the weekly menu, cost the plates, order from our suppliers and lead a crew of five. Prior experience running a line is required.
Notice what makes it work: real hours, the actual tools, who they report to, and one honest reason to want the job. That’s the difference between a blank template and a job description that gets the right applicants.
What a chef does
A chef leads the kitchen: menus, recipes, ordering, quality and the cooks who prepare the food. Typical duties include:
- Check the freshness of food and ingredients
- Supervise and coordinate the activities of cooks and other food preparation workers
- Develop recipes and determine how to present dishes
- Plan menus and ensure the quality of meals
- Inspect supplies, equipment and work areas for cleanliness and functionality
- Hire, train and supervise cooks
Duties adapted from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Requirements, training and licenses
The Bureau of Labor Statistics says some states and localities require chefs and head cooks to have a food handler's certification. Other certifications are not required but may lead to advancement and higher pay.
Training: Typically five or more years in a related occupation.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Chefs and Head Cooks.
How much does a chef make?
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook. A median means half earned more and half earned less. Pay in your area may be higher or lower; check postings for similar jobs near you. A growing number of states and cities require a pay range in job postings, so check your local rules before you post.
Before you set the rate, run the free hiring cost calculator. It adds payroll taxes and other costs and shows how much work the hire needs to bring in to pay for itself.
Free template or written for you?
| Free template | Job Description $30 | Hiring Kit $299 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Written for | Any business | Your business | Your business |
| Duties and schedule | Typical, with blanks | Yours, filled in | Yours, filled in |
| Pay | National figure | Set for your local market | Set for your local market |
| State rules | “Check your state” | Checked for your state | Checked for your state |
| Ready to post | No, you edit it | Yes | Yes, plus the job posting |
| Performance review form | — | Included free | Included |
| Interview guide and 30-60-90 day plan | — | — | Included |
| Use the template | Have us write it | Get the Hiring Kit |
Free template
- Typical duties with blanks to fill in
- National pay figure
- You edit it before posting
Job Description · $30
- Written for your business: your duties, schedule and pay
- Checked for your state’s rules
- Ready to post
- Free matching performance review form
Hiring Kit · $299
- Everything in the $30 job description
- The job posting
- Interview guide
- 30-60-90 day plan for the new hire
Fixed prices. See what’s included in Job Description Writing and the Hiring Kit.
Common questions
Should the chef also manage costs?
In a small restaurant, usually yes. Say in the posting whether the chef owns food cost and ordering, or only the cooking, so applicants know what they are agreeing to.
Can I use this template for free?
Yes. Copy it, edit it and post it. It's a starting point written for any business, so fill in the brackets and adjust the duties to your actual job. If you'd rather have it written for your business, ready to post, our Job Description service is $30.
Is this legal advice?
No. This page is general information. Requirements for some roles, especially in healthcare, vary by state. Check your state's rules, and talk to an employment attorney if you're unsure.
Published by Groundwork Business Advisory. Updated October 2026. General information, not legal advice. Pay data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, May 2025 wage estimates.