Chef Jobs in District of Columbia
Chef jobs in District of Columbia are consistently in demand, with openings spread across the city's dense concentration of upscale restaurants, federal event venues, luxury hotels, and private member clubs. Most hiring is concentrated in neighborhoods like Penn Quarter, Capitol Hill, and Georgetown, where established operators including José Andrés's ThinkFoodGroup, Marriott International, and Sodexo Government Services maintain ongoing culinary staffing needs. The most sought-after specialties are fine dining, banquet and catering, and plant-forward cuisine reflecting D.C.'s health-conscious dining culture. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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Job Description
The Executive Chef is a management position overseeing chef managers as well as hourly culinary staff, responsible for developing and executing culinary solutions to meet customer needs and tastes. Offers a wide variety of culinary solutions to meet customer and client needs and tastes. Oversees and manages culinary operations to meet production, presentation, and service standards. Applies culinary techniques to food preparation and manages the final presentation and service of food.
Compensation Data
COMPENSATION: The Salaried rate for this position is $90,000.00 to $110,000.00. If both numbers are the same, that is the amount that Aramark expects to offer. This is Aramark's good faith and reasonable estimate of the compensation for this position as of the time of posting.
BENEFITS: Aramark offers comprehensive benefit programs and services for eligible employees including medical, dental, vision, and work/life resources. Additional benefits may include retirement savings plans like 401(k) and paid days off such as parental leave and disability coverage. Benefits vary by location and are subject to any legal requirements or limitations, employee eligibility status, and where the employee lives and/or works. For more information about Aramark benefits, click here Aramark Careers - Benefits & Compensation
There is no predetermined application window for this position, the position will close once a qualified candidate is selected. Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with all applicable laws, including, but not limited to all applicable Fair Chance Ordinances and Acts. For jobs in San Francisco, this includes the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance.
Job Responsibilities
- Ensures culinary production appropriately connects to the Executional Framework
- Ensures proper culinary standards and techniques are in place for preparation of food items, including production, presentation, and service standards
- Manages a culinary team, including chef managers and hourly staff, to ensure quality in final presentation of food
- Train and manage culinary and kitchen employees to use best practice food production techniques
- Coach employees by creating a shared understanding about what needs to be achieved and how it is to be achieved
- Reward and recognize employees
- Plan and execute team meetings and daily huddles
- Complete and maintain all staff records including training records, shift opening/closing checklists and performance data
- Develop and maintain effective client and guest rapport for mutually beneficial business relationships
- Interact directly with guests daily
- Aggregate and communicate regional culinary and ingredient trends
- Responsible for delivering food and labor targets
- Consistent focus on margin improvement; understanding performance metrics, data, order, and inventory trends
- Ensure efficient execution and delivery of all culinary products in line with the daily menu
- Maintain integrity of the standard Aramark food offer; responsible for always maintaining food quality and safety of items
- Full compliance with Operational Excellence fundamentals: managing waste, standard menus, recipes and ingredients through managing customer driven menus and labor standards
- Understand end to end supply chain and procurement process and systems, ensuring only authorized suppliers are used
- Full knowledge and implementation of the Food Framework
- Ensure accuracy of estimated food consumption for appropriate requisitions and/or food purchase
- Ensure proper equipment operation and maintenance
- Ensure compliance with Aramark SAFE food and Quality Assurance standards, occupational and environmental safety policies in all culinary and kitchen operations
- Comply with all applicable policies, rules and regulations, including but not limited to those relating to safety, health, wage and hour
At Aramark, developing new skills and doing what it takes to get the job done make a positive impact for our employees and for our customers. In order to meet our commitments, job duties may change or new ones may be assigned without formal notice.-
Qualifications
Requires at least 4 years of culinary experience
At least 2 years in a management role preferred
Requires a culinary degree or equivalent experience
Ability to multi-task
Ability to simplify the agenda for the team
Requires advanced knowledge of the principles and practices within the food profession.
This includes experiential knowledge required for management of people and/or problems.
Requires oral, reading, and written communication skills
Education
About Aramark
Our Mission
Rooted in service and united by our purpose, we strive to do great things for each other, our partners, our communities, and our planet.
At Aramark, we believe that every employee should enjoy equal employment opportunity and be free to participate in all aspects of the company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender, pregnancy, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military status, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by applicable law.
About Aramark
The people of Aramark proudly serve millions of guests every day through food and facilities in 15 countries around the world. Rooted in service and united by our purpose, we strive to do great things for each other, our partners, our communities, and our planet. We believe a career should develop your talents, fuel your passions, and empower your professional growth. So, no matter what you're pursuing - a new challenge, a sense of belonging, or just a great place to work - our focus is helping you reach your full potential. Learn more about working here at http://www.aramarkcareers.com or connect with us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Job Description
The Executive Chef is a management position overseeing chef managers as well as hourly culinary staff, responsible for developing and executing culinary solutions to meet customer needs and tastes. Offers a wide variety of culinary solutions to meet customer and client needs and tastes. Oversees and manages culinary operations to meet production, presentation, and service standards. Applies culinary techniques to food preparation and manages the final presentation and service of food.
Compensation Data
COMPENSATION: The Salaried rate for this position is $90,000.00 to $110,000.00. If both numbers are the same, that is the amount that Aramark expects to offer. This is Aramark's good faith and reasonable estimate of the compensation for this position as of the time of posting.
BENEFITS: Aramark offers comprehensive benefit programs and services for eligible employees including medical, dental, vision, and work/life resources. Additional benefits may include retirement savings plans like 401(k) and paid days off such as parental leave and disability coverage. Benefits vary by location and are subject to any legal requirements or limitations, employee eligibility status, and where the employee lives and/or works. For more information about Aramark benefits, click here Aramark Careers - Benefits & Compensation
There is no predetermined application window for this position, the position will close once a qualified candidate is selected. Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with all applicable laws, including, but not limited to all applicable Fair Chance Ordinances and Acts. For jobs in San Francisco, this includes the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance.
Job Responsibilities
- Ensures culinary production appropriately connects to the Executional Framework
- Ensures proper culinary standards and techniques are in place for preparation of food items, including production, presentation, and service standards
- Manages a culinary team, including chef managers and hourly staff, to ensure quality in final presentation of food
- Train and manage culinary and kitchen employees to use best practice food production techniques
- Coach employees by creating a shared understanding about what needs to be achieved and how it is to be achieved
- Reward and recognize employees
- Plan and execute team meetings and daily huddles
- Complete and maintain all staff records including training records, shift opening/closing checklists and performance data
- Develop and maintain effective client and guest rapport for mutually beneficial business relationships
- Interact directly with guests daily
- Aggregate and communicate regional culinary and ingredient trends
- Responsible for delivering food and labor targets
- Consistent focus on margin improvement; understanding performance metrics, data, order, and inventory trends
- Ensure efficient execution and delivery of all culinary products in line with the daily menu
- Maintain integrity of the standard Aramark food offer; responsible for always maintaining food quality and safety of items
- Full compliance with Operational Excellence fundamentals: managing waste, standard menus, recipes and ingredients through managing customer driven menus and labor standards
- Understand end to end supply chain and procurement process and systems, ensuring only authorized suppliers are used
- Full knowledge and implementation of the Food Framework
- Ensure accuracy of estimated food consumption for appropriate requisitions and/or food purchase
- Ensure proper equipment operation and maintenance
- Ensure compliance with Aramark SAFE food and Quality Assurance standards, occupational and environmental safety policies in all culinary and kitchen operations
- Comply with all applicable policies, rules and regulations, including but not limited to those relating to safety, health, wage and hour
At Aramark, developing new skills and doing what it takes to get the job done make a positive impact for our employees and for our customers. In order to meet our commitments, job duties may change or new ones may be assigned without formal notice.-
Qualifications
Requires at least 4 years of culinary experience
At least 2 years in a management role preferred
Requires a culinary degree or equivalent experience
Ability to multi-task
Ability to simplify the agenda for the team
Requires advanced knowledge of the principles and practices within the food profession.
This includes experiential knowledge required for management of people and/or problems.
Requires oral, reading, and written communication skills
Education
About Aramark
Our Mission
Rooted in service and united by our purpose, we strive to do great things for each other, our partners, our communities, and our planet.
At Aramark, we believe that every employee should enjoy equal employment opportunity and be free to participate in all aspects of the company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender, pregnancy, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military status, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by applicable law.
About Aramark
The people of Aramark proudly serve millions of guests every day through food and facilities in 15 countries around the world. Rooted in service and united by our purpose, we strive to do great things for each other, our partners, our communities, and our planet. We believe a career should develop your talents, fuel your passions, and empower your professional growth. So, no matter what you're pursuing - a new challenge, a sense of belonging, or just a great place to work - our focus is helping you reach your full potential. Learn more about working here at http://www.aramarkcareers.com or connect with us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
See All 47 Chef Jobs in District of Columbia
Find roles in District of Columbia that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Chef JobsChef Jobs by City in District of Columbia
Where District of Columbia roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Chef Job Market in District of Columbia
A snapshot from current District of Columbia openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
What District of Columbia Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in chef jobs across District of Columbia.
- Possession of a valid D.C. Food Manager Certification or equivalent recognized credential
- Proven experience executing high-volume service in a professional kitchen environment
- Expertise in menu development, food costing, and ordering for a given cuisine or concept
- Culinary degree or completed apprenticeship through an accredited culinary program
- Strong knowledge of food safety, HACCP principles, and local health code compliance
- Ability to lead and train a diverse kitchen team across multiple stations
Chef Jobs in District of Columbia: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a chef in District of Columbia?
D.C. does not require a state-issued chef's license, but all food handlers working in the District must obtain a D.C. Food Handler Certification, and those supervising food preparation must hold a Food Manager Certification issued through a D.C. Department of Health-approved provider such as ServSafe. Most kitchen leadership roles expect a culinary degree or a completed apprenticeship, and building experience in D.C.'s competitive restaurant scene through progressive kitchen positions is the standard path upward.
Which companies hire chefs in District of Columbia?
Employers hiring chefs in District of Columbia right now include Aramark, The Ned Hotel, and Clyde's Restaurant, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. D.C.'s mix of high-profile restaurant groups, federal catering contractors, and major hotel brands means demand covers everything from line cooks to executive chefs across a range of concepts.
Which District of Columbia cities have the most chef jobs?
The cities with the most chef openings in District of Columbia are Washington. The bulk of demand is driven by the District's core dining and hospitality corridor, where hotel properties, government-adjacent event spaces, and a dense restaurant scene generate year-round kitchen staffing needs, while nearby suburban hubs reflect overflow from large catering and food service contractors with regional operations.
Are there remote chef jobs in District of Columbia?
Yes, but they're rare. About 0% of chef openings tied to District of Columbia are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, reflecting the fundamentally hands-on nature of professional kitchen work. The small share of remote roles typically involves culinary consulting, menu development, or food content creation that does not require daily on-site cooking.
How can I get hired as a chef in District of Columbia with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry point is a prep cook or kitchen assistant role at a large hotel food and beverage operation or a high-volume restaurant group such as those affiliated with major D.C. dining operators, where structured on-the-job training is common. Sodexo and Aramark both run culinary associate programs at their D.C.-area institutional accounts. Earning a D.C. Food Handler Certification before applying signals readiness, and completing a culinary program at a school such as the Art Institute of Washington or a community college culinary track gives candidates a clear edge.
Where can I find and apply to chef jobs in District of Columbia?
You can find and apply to chef jobs in District of Columbia on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings across the District. Search the listings to find roles that match your experience level and preferred kitchen environment, then apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 47 Chef Jobs in District of Columbia
Find roles in District of Columbia that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Chef Jobs