Chef Jobs in Florida
Chef jobs in Florida concentrate in Miami, Orlando, and Tampa, where resort hotels, cruise line headquarters, and independent restaurant groups drive consistent demand at every level from line cook to executive chef. Major employers with a lasting presence across the state include Disney Destinations, Marriott International, and Darden Restaurants, all of which run large culinary operations year-round. The most sought-after specialties are fine dining, high-volume banquet, and farm-to-table cuisine, reflecting Florida's tourism economy and growing local-sourcing movement. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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NOW HIRING – SOUS CHEF
Mesa Latina Restaurant | Zephyrhills, FL
Restaurant Type: Puerto Rican & Latin Cuisine
Position: Sous Chef / Experienced Kitchen Professional
Job Type: Full-Time
Experience Required: Minimum 2 years in a full-service restaurant kitchen
About Us
Mesa Latina Restaurant is a Puerto Rican and Latin restaurant located in Zephyrhills, Florida. We take pride in serving authentic Latin cuisine, maintaining high food quality standards, and providing an excellent dining experience.
We are seeking an experienced, dependable, and motivated Sous Chef to join our culinary team. The ideal candidate must have strong cooking skills, excellent teamwork abilities, and a solid understanding of professional restaurant kitchen operations.
Qualifications & Requirements
- Minimum 2 years of hands-on cooking experience in a full-service restaurant. Fast-food experience alone does not meet our requirements.
- Proven experience working with commercial grills, flat-top griddles, deep fryers, and other professional kitchen equipment.
- Strong knowledge of meat cooking temperatures, proper doneness levels, and safe internal food temperatures.
- Thorough understanding of food handling, food safety, sanitation, and proper food storage procedures.
- Knowledge of food temperature control, cross-contamination prevention, and proper cooling, reheating, and holding procedures.
- Ability to prepare and execute multiple orders accurately in a fast-paced restaurant environment.
- Experience with food preparation, portion control, recipe consistency, and quality standards.
- Ability to follow recipes, instructions, and established kitchen procedures.
- Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and time management.
- Ability to work efficiently under pressure while maintaining high standards.
- Must be dependable, punctual, professional, and responsible.
- Strong communication skills and a positive attitude.
- Must be a team player who respects coworkers, supervisors, and management.
- Willingness to learn Puerto Rican and Latin cooking techniques and menu preparation.
- Spanish-speaking candidates are strongly preferred. Bilingual English/Spanish is a plus.
- Availability to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed.
Key Responsibilities
- Assist the Head Chef with daily kitchen operations and food preparation.
- Prepare, cook, and plate dishes according to restaurant recipes and quality standards.
- Operate grills, flat tops, fryers, and other kitchen equipment safely and efficiently.
- Monitor food quality, cooking temperatures, presentation, and portion consistency.
- Ensure proper food handling, storage, labeling, and sanitation procedures.
- Maintain a clean, organized, and safe kitchen environment.
- Support kitchen staff and promote teamwork during busy service periods.
- Help coordinate food preparation and ensure orders are completed accurately and on time.
- Assist with inventory management, stock rotation, and minimizing food waste.
- Follow all restaurant policies, kitchen procedures, and management instructions.
- Assist with training and guiding kitchen team members when needed.
- Take initiative, solve problems professionally, and help maintain smooth kitchen operations.
What We Are Looking For
We are looking for more than someone who can cook. We want a skilled culinary professional who takes pride in their work, understands restaurant operations, works well with others, and is committed to delivering consistent, high-quality food.
Previous experience in Puerto Rican, Caribbean, or Latin cuisine is highly desirable but not required for candidates with strong restaurant cooking experience and a willingness to learn.
Food safety certification (ServSafe or equivalent) is a plus.
Apply Today!
Mesa Latina Restaurant
5327 Gall Blvd, Zephyrhills, FL
Join our team and become part of a restaurant dedicated to authentic Puerto Rican flavors, quality, professionalism, and teamwork.
Experienced restaurant kitchen professionals are encouraged to apply.
Pay: $15.00 - $20.00 per hour
Work Location: In person
See All 392+ Chef Jobs in Florida
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Find Chef JobsChef Jobs by City in Florida
Where Florida roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Chef Job Market in Florida
A snapshot from current Florida openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Marriott International24
- Wolfoods20
- Morrison Healthcare11
- CSC Generation9
- Kahler Hospitality7
Top Industries Hiring
- Retail
- Food & Beverage
- Sports & Recreation
- Hospitality & Tourism
What Florida Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in chef jobs across Florida.
- Food Handler certification or ServSafe Manager certification required by most Florida employers
- Proven experience in a high-volume or full-service kitchen environment
- Proficiency in multiple cooking techniques including classical French and modern American cuisine
- Ability to supervise kitchen staff, manage food costs, and control inventory
- Familiarity with Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation food safety standards
- Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and holidays in a hospitality-driven market
Chef Jobs in Florida: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a chef in Florida?
Florida does not require a state-issued chef's license, but most employers expect a ServSafe Manager certification, which is administered through the National Restaurant Association and recognized statewide. A culinary degree from a Florida program or completion of a registered apprenticeship strengthens your candidacy. Many kitchens treat a combination of formal training and documented kitchen experience as the practical entry standard for kitchen leadership roles.
Which companies hire chefs in Florida?
Employers hiring chefs in Florida right now include Marriott International, Wolfoods, and Morrison Healthcare, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Florida's concentration of resort hotels, theme park operators, and national restaurant chains makes it one of the most active states for ongoing culinary hiring at all levels.
Which Florida cities have the most chef jobs?
Miami, Orlando, and Tampa have the most chef openings in Florida. Miami's international tourism and luxury dining scene anchor the southern market, Orlando's theme park and convention industry sustains massive year-round kitchen operations, and Tampa's waterfront hospitality corridor and growing independent restaurant scene drive steady demand in the Tampa Bay area.
Are there remote chef jobs in Florida?
Yes, but they're rare. About 2% of chef openings tied to Florida are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, since most culinary work requires physical presence in a kitchen. The exceptions tend to be corporate chef roles focused on menu development, recipe writing, or culinary consulting, which can occasionally be performed off-site.
How can I get hired as a chef in Florida with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying for prep cook or line cook positions at large Florida hotel and resort operators, which regularly onboard candidates without extensive prior experience and provide on-the-job training. Disney Destinations and Marriott properties in Orlando and Miami run structured culinary development programs for entry-level kitchen staff. Earning a ServSafe certification before applying gives you a concrete credential, and starting in a high-volume banquet or quick-service setting builds the speed and technique that Florida employers value most.
Where can I find and apply to chef jobs in Florida?
You can find and apply to chef jobs in Florida on Migrate Mate, which lists current Florida openings updated regularly. Search the available roles, find the ones that match your experience level and preferred location, and apply directly to the employers posting them.
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