Find Chef Jobs in the U.S.

Looking for Chef jobs? You're in the right place — with 500+ Chef job openings across the U.S., opportunities are everywhere.

How To Apply for Chef Jobs

Applying for a Chef job can be competitive, but taking the right steps will greatly improve your chances. 

Here are some detailed steps to follow as you conduct your Chef job search and prepare your applications:

1. Build a Professional Chef Resume

Create a strong resume that showcases your cooking skills, techniques and training. Highlight kitchen experience, key responsibilities and achievements like menu planning or awards.

Register an account on OysterLink to access an easy-to-use resume builder for Chefs. 

When using our resume building tool, make sure to:

• Fill in all details: Add your bio, work history, education and languages to boost visibility.
• Set privacy: Choose who can view your resume — public or applied employers only.
• Upload a photo: Add a clean, professional headshot (PNG/JPG, 200×200 px).
• Update location: Make sure your city is accurate so local employers can find you.
• Write your bio: Briefly highlight your skills, experience and the type of Chef role you're seeking.

2. Tailor Each Chef Application

Tailoring your application shows genuine interest — and it works.

A tailored application helps you stand out in a competitive Chef job market. To maximize your chances:

• Don’t send the same resume and cover letter to every job
• Mirror the job description and highlight relevant experience
• Mention the restaurant by name and why their concept excites you

3. Expand Your Chef Job Search and Network

Use hospitality-focused platforms like OysterLink to find top Chef openings — they curate culinary jobs from vetted restaurants and hotels. 

General job boards help too, but industry-specific tools save time.

Tap into your network: reach out to former colleagues, culinary school contacts and mentors. Word-of-mouth can uncover unlisted roles or staging opportunities that may lead to full-time offers.

4. Prepare for Chef Job Interviews

Before any kitchen interview, practice discussing your cooking background, culinary philosophy, and how you handle high-pressure situations.

Review the job listing and menu. Share examples that show leadership and creativity — like training cooks or creating seasonal specials. Be ready to discuss how you handle challenges and ask thoughtful questions about kitchen culture and systems.

Highlight your flexibility and teamwork — key traits in fast-paced, high-pressure kitchens.

How Do I Find the Right Chef Job on OysterLink?

OysterLink is a hospitality-focused platform that simplifies the search for Chef opportunities.

Use OysterLink’s advanced filters to find Chef jobs by location, title, experience, employment type, or salary.

For example, you can filter by experience or seniority level to narrow your search.

• Entry-Level Positions: Looking to get started? Find Prep Cook or Line Cook roles. These are great for building your skills and often require 0-2 years of experience.
• Mid-Level Positions: Ready for the next step? Explore Sous Chef or Kitchen Manager jobs. These typically ask for a few years of experience and let you take on more responsibility in menu planning and supervising staff.
• Senior-Level Positions: Have significant experience? Search for Head Chef or Executive Chef openings. These roles often demand leadership experience and offer a chance to run the whole kitchen operation, usually in larger or upscale establishments.

OysterLink also allows you to filter by location (find Chef jobs in specific cities or states across the U.S.), by employment type (e.g., part-time, full-time, temporary) and by pay range to match your salary expectations.

Start by browsing our Chef jobs directory and applying relevant filters. For instance, set the city you want to work in (say, New York or Miami), choose the role (Sous Chef, Head Chef, etc.), and indicate desired salary or hourly pay. 

OysterLink will then show you tailored results – 500+ Chef jobs across the U.S. or dozens of openings in your chosen city. Compare the listings, read the job descriptions, and save the ones that look promising.

Pro tip: On each job listing, pay attention to the details provided – many postings on OysterLink include information on salary, qualifications, and benefits. This transparency helps you quickly gauge if a job meets your needs. When you find a great match, you can apply directly through the platform.

Why Employers & Job Seekers Trust OysterLink

Rated 4.9 on Glassdoor, OysterLink is a trusted platform for finding hospitality and culinary job opportunities. 

Our dedicated selection team carefully screens every employer and job listing featured on our platform, assessing essential factors such as kitchen environment, employee reviews, salary transparency and overall industry reputation. 

This ensures job seekers find reliable, rewarding Chef positions tailored to their career goals.

Sources

OysterLink maintains an extensive database of hospitality and culinary job listings and employers across the United States. Our listings are verified through a thorough vetting process, ensuring reliability and accuracy:

• Dedicated research: Our hospitality experts actively research and compile top Chef opportunities by analyzing job postings, employer websites and company reputations.
• Employer submissions: Restaurants, hotels, and hospitality companies can submit job listings directly to OysterLink. Each submission undergoes a careful review and verification process to ensure only genuine, high-quality employment opportunities are listed.