Chef Jobs in Illinois
Chef jobs in Illinois are concentrated in Chicago, Rockford, and Naperville, where deep-dish and farm-to-table traditions, convention hospitality, and a dense restaurant scene drive steady demand from entry-level line cooks to executive chefs. Major employers with a lasting footprint include Hyatt Hotels Corporation, Aramark, and Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises, all of which maintain large culinary operations throughout the state. The most in-demand specialties are fine dining, banquet and event catering, and institutional foodservice for healthcare and corporate accounts. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Area Manager I, Sous Chef
Factor_ a brand of HelloFresh is seeking an experienced Sous-Chef responsible for overseeing the daily operations of the kitchens. You will ensure that all food served meets the highest quality standards and follows all SOP's and company specs. You will directly oversee all cooks, deboxing, and cooling practices. You will monitor equipment maintenance and conditions and will ensure that the kitchen operates alongside state and federal health and safety codes. You will also ensure that all food meets the highest quality standards and is produced on time.
You will...
- Be responsible for training kitchen staff
- Provide coaching and development to shift hourly kitchen staff.
- Maintaining security of kitchen including equipment food and supply inventories
- Food procurement, delivery, storage and issuing of food items
- Planning energy conservation procedures in the kitchen
- Provide all employees with necessary tools, proper training and corrective direction.
- Report information and update managers throughout every shift with knowledge of kitchen's operations.
- Balance quality, productivity, cost, safety and morale to achieve positive results in all areas.
- Submit requests for maintenance, repairs and upkeep of the kitchen and its equipment
- Work to continuously improve processes.
- Manage departmental performance measures, including visual controls and provides regular progress reports to the Chef de Cuisine during the shift.
- Perform accident investigations.
- Manage department priorities as situations arise.
- Perform accident investigations and notify management as appropriate
You are…
- Leadership: Able to train and develop a large group of employees and manage an active kitchen
- A problem solver
- Results Driven
- Able speak to employees with tact and diplomacy
- Able to multitask - tracking/monitoring recipe development and maintaining productivity
- Computer literate to input information into the computer
- Able to take direction and relay information to employees
- Comfortability in being exposed to hot, cool and/or cold environment (30º - 70º)
At a minimum, you have...
- Required: High School Diploma or GED or related work experience
- American Culinary Federation chef certification preferred
- 5+ years' experience in commissary kitchen and high-volume food preparation
- Fluent in Microsoft Office and Google Suite applications
You'll get…
- Competitive hourly rate, 401K company match that vests immediately upon participation, & team bonus opportunities
- Generous PTO and flexible attendance policy
- Comprehensive health and wellness benefits with options at $0 monthly, effective first day of employment
- Up to 85% discount on subscriptions to HelloFresh meal plans (HelloFresh, Green Chef, Everyplate, and Factor_)
- Access to Employee Resource Groups that are open to all employees, including those pertaining to BIPOC, women, veterans, parents, and LGBTQ+
- Inclusive, collaborative, and dynamic work environment within a fast-paced, mission-driven company that is disrupting the traditional food supply chain
This job description is intended to provide a general overview of the responsibilities. However, the Company reserves the right to adjust, modify, or reassign work tasks and responsibilities as needed to meet changing business needs, operational requirements, or other factors.
Area Manager I, Sous Chef
Factor_ a brand of HelloFresh is seeking an experienced Sous-Chef responsible for overseeing the daily operations of the kitchens. You will ensure that all food served meets the highest quality standards and follows all SOP's and company specs. You will directly oversee all cooks, deboxing, and cooling practices. You will monitor equipment maintenance and conditions and will ensure that the kitchen operates alongside state and federal health and safety codes. You will also ensure that all food meets the highest quality standards and is produced on time.
You will...
- Be responsible for training kitchen staff
- Provide coaching and development to shift hourly kitchen staff.
- Maintaining security of kitchen including equipment food and supply inventories
- Food procurement, delivery, storage and issuing of food items
- Planning energy conservation procedures in the kitchen
- Provide all employees with necessary tools, proper training and corrective direction.
- Report information and update managers throughout every shift with knowledge of kitchen's operations.
- Balance quality, productivity, cost, safety and morale to achieve positive results in all areas.
- Submit requests for maintenance, repairs and upkeep of the kitchen and its equipment
- Work to continuously improve processes.
- Manage departmental performance measures, including visual controls and provides regular progress reports to the Chef de Cuisine during the shift.
- Perform accident investigations.
- Manage department priorities as situations arise.
- Perform accident investigations and notify management as appropriate
You are…
- Leadership: Able to train and develop a large group of employees and manage an active kitchen
- A problem solver
- Results Driven
- Able speak to employees with tact and diplomacy
- Able to multitask - tracking/monitoring recipe development and maintaining productivity
- Computer literate to input information into the computer
- Able to take direction and relay information to employees
- Comfortability in being exposed to hot, cool and/or cold environment (30º - 70º)
At a minimum, you have...
- Required: High School Diploma or GED or related work experience
- American Culinary Federation chef certification preferred
- 5+ years' experience in commissary kitchen and high-volume food preparation
- Fluent in Microsoft Office and Google Suite applications
You'll get…
- Competitive hourly rate, 401K company match that vests immediately upon participation, & team bonus opportunities
- Generous PTO and flexible attendance policy
- Comprehensive health and wellness benefits with options at $0 monthly, effective first day of employment
- Up to 85% discount on subscriptions to HelloFresh meal plans (HelloFresh, Green Chef, Everyplate, and Factor_)
- Access to Employee Resource Groups that are open to all employees, including those pertaining to BIPOC, women, veterans, parents, and LGBTQ+
- Inclusive, collaborative, and dynamic work environment within a fast-paced, mission-driven company that is disrupting the traditional food supply chain
This job description is intended to provide a general overview of the responsibilities. However, the Company reserves the right to adjust, modify, or reassign work tasks and responsibilities as needed to meet changing business needs, operational requirements, or other factors.
See All 134+ Chef Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Chef JobsChef Jobs by City in Illinois
Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Chef Job Market in Illinois
A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software
What Illinois Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in chef jobs across Illinois.
- Current food handler certification from an Illinois Department of Public Health approved provider
- Proven experience in a professional kitchen at the line cook level or above
- Formal culinary arts training or completion of a culinary apprenticeship program
- Demonstrated ability to manage food cost, inventory, and kitchen labor budgets
- Proficiency with high-volume production for banquet, catering, or institutional settings
- Availability for early morning, late night, and weekend shifts in a commercial kitchen
Chef Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a chef in Illinois?
Illinois does not issue a state chef license, but all food service workers must hold a valid food handler certificate from an Illinois Department of Public Health approved program, and supervisory roles typically require an Illinois Food Service Sanitation Manager Certification. Most employers expect completion of a culinary arts program at a community college or culinary school, or a formal apprenticeship through the American Culinary Federation's Illinois chapters, followed by progressive kitchen experience.
Which companies hire chefs in Illinois?
Companies currently hiring chefs in Illinois include Lettuce Entertain You, Aramark, and Chartwells Higher Education, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Illinois's large convention hotel corridor in Chicago and its sprawling healthcare and corporate campus sector across the suburbs also generate consistent openings year-round.
Which Illinois cities have the most chef jobs?
The cities with the most chef openings in Illinois are Chicago, Evanston, and Barrington. Chicago dominates because of its nationally recognized restaurant scene, major convention hotels, and large healthcare systems, while suburban areas like Naperville and Schaumburg see strong demand from corporate campuses and regional healthcare employers that run full-service cafeteria and catering operations.
Are there remote chef jobs in Illinois?
Yes, but they're rare. About 7% of chef openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, reflecting the hands-on nature of professional kitchen work. The small share of remote roles typically involves culinary consulting, menu development, or recipe testing for food manufacturers and packaged goods companies headquartered in the Chicago metro area.
How can I get hired as a chef in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying for a prep cook or kitchen associate role at a large institutional employer, such as a hospital system like Northwestern Medicine or a contract dining company like Aramark or Sodexo, which operate training programs for new culinary staff at their Illinois locations. Community colleges including Washburne Culinary Institute in Chicago offer certificate programs that Illinois employers recognize as a hiring edge, and completing an American Culinary Federation apprenticeship through an Illinois chapter provides structured on-the-job experience that can substitute for a four-year culinary degree.
Where can I find and apply to chef jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to chef jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings across the state. Find roles that fit your experience and location, then apply directly to each employer through the listing.
See All 134+ Chef Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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