Chef Jobs in Pennsylvania
Chef jobs in Pennsylvania concentrate in hospitality, healthcare dining, corporate catering, and the culinary tourism sector, with demand at every level from line cook to executive chef. Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Lancaster are the most active hiring metros, where employers such as Aramark, Sodexo, and Hershey Entertainment and Resorts maintain a consistent presence. The most in-demand specialties are banquet and catering production, healthcare and institutional food service, and farm-to-table fine dining. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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Our Purpose:
The Tavern on the Square is a historic 91-year-old restaurant in New Wilmington, PA. It closed down in 2020 and went into disrepair. As the new owners, we are taking this pause in operation to restore the building, erected in 1849 by a local doctor and abolitionist. We are also using this time to reconceptualize the restaurant and its role in Western Pennsylvania’s agricultural and culinary fields. We are developing relationships with local growers and ranchers to bring about a true farm-to-table restaurant. We are also classically trained chefs who believe that education is power and we aim to make work experience at the Tavern a growth opportunity that builds character and develops careers. We are located one hour north of Pittsburgh and hope to continue and enhance The Tavern’s strong reputation as a destination restaurant mainly through word of mouth and positive experiences as well as through active social media, community engagement and advertising in regional urban markets. In most ways, we are starting from scratch. This is a rare chance to write the playbook. This is a family-owned operation with no corporate over-site. We look forward to developing a team of dedicated professionals who share our mission of building community, food awareness and appreciation around the table.
Your Role:
We are looking for an experienced and passionate Sous Chef to join our team. As Sous Chef of the Tavern restaurant, you will be responsible for a variety of duties such as recruiting and hiring staff, training, controlling food quality and managing the back of house staff. You will work with the owners to develop the dining menus. You will ultimately be responsible for the ordering, receiving, prepping, cooking, and plating every dish that leaves the kitchen. You should have an unending desire to deliver a memorable experience to every person that walks through the door. We lead through service. Backing up your team, being the hardest worker in the room and training by example both in communication and in action is a necessity for this leadership role. This role has growth potential as the operation succeeds and expansion plans are realized.
Character Traits:
- Honesty
- Humility
- Hospitality
- Desire to continue learning
- Calmness under pressure
- Positive Mental Attitude
- Commitment to service
- Open with communication
- Dedication
- Natural leader who appreciates chain of command
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Manage and oversee the entire kitchen operation
- Assist development of menus
- Participate at local food events
- Organize and supervise kitchen shifts
- Manage and lead kitchen staff
- Hire new employees
- Train and evaluate kitchen staff performance
- Estimate consumption, forecast requirements and maintain inventory
- Manage kitchen supplies
- Control costs and minimize waste
- Nurture a positive working environment
- Implement innovative strategies to improve productivity and sales
Qualifications:
- Extensive food and beverage knowledge
- Computer literacy
- Familiarity with restaurant management software
- Experience in event planning
- Strong leadership, motivational and people skills
- Good financial management skills
- Critical thinker and problem solving skills
- Team player
- Good time-management skills
- Great interpersonal and communication skills
- Restaurant General Manager experience strongly desired
- Higher education credentials appreciated
Benefits:
- Competitive salary
- Bonus opportunity
- Health insurance
- Dental insurance
- Vision insurance
- 401(k)
- Paid time off
- Paid training
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $44,500.00 - $50,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
See All 177+ Chef Jobs in Pennsylvania
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Find Chef JobsChef Jobs by City in Pennsylvania
Where Pennsylvania roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Chef Job Market in Pennsylvania
A snapshot from current Pennsylvania openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Aramark11

- Wolfoods11

- AVI Foodsystems10

- Sodexo3

- Legacy Hospitality3

Top Industries Hiring
- Education
- Food & Beverage
What Pennsylvania Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in chef jobs across Pennsylvania.
- ServSafe Food Manager Certification or equivalent recognized food handler credential
- Proven experience with high-volume meal preparation in a professional kitchen
- Ability to manage food cost controls, ordering, and inventory within budget
- Knowledge of allergen protocols and compliance with Pennsylvania food safety regulations
- Experience supervising or mentoring a kitchen team during service
- Proficiency with recipe standardization and menu development for seasonal or rotating menus
Chef Jobs in Pennsylvania: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a chef in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania does not require a state-issued chef license, but all food service workers must meet food safety standards enforced by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture and local health departments. Most employers require a ServSafe Food Manager Certification. Completing a culinary arts program at an institution such as the Pennsylvania Culinary Institute or The Restaurant School at Walnut Hill College strengthens your candidacy, as does apprenticeship experience in a professional kitchen.
Which companies hire chefs in Pennsylvania?
Employers hiring chefs in Pennsylvania right now include Aramark, Wolfoods, and AVI Foodsystems, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Pennsylvania's large healthcare networks, convention venues, and contract food service operators are among the most consistent sources of full-time chef openings across the state.
Which Pennsylvania cities have the most chef jobs?
Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and King of Prussia have the most chef job openings in Pennsylvania. Philadelphia leads because of its dense restaurant scene, major convention facilities, and large hospital systems with institutional dining operations, while Pittsburgh's growth in hospitality and healthcare supports steady demand, and Lancaster's agritourism and farm-to-table dining scene drives openings in smaller but active culinary markets.
Are there remote chef jobs in Pennsylvania?
Yes, but they're rare. About 0% of chef openings tied to Pennsylvania are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting the hands-on nature of kitchen work. The small share of remote or hybrid roles typically involves recipe development, menu consulting, culinary education, or food content creation rather than direct kitchen service.
How can I get hired as a chef in Pennsylvania with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is a prep cook or kitchen assistant role at a high-volume operation such as a hospital food service department, university dining hall, or contract catering company, where structured training is common. Aramark and Sodexo, both active in Pennsylvania, run culinary associate programs that bring on entry-level candidates. Earning a ServSafe certification before applying gives you a concrete credential, and culinary externships through programs at the Pennsylvania Culinary Institute count as qualifying experience for most employers.
Where can I find and apply to chef jobs in Pennsylvania?
You can find and apply to chef jobs in Pennsylvania on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from employers hiring across the state right now. Search the roles available, find the ones that match your experience and location, and apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 177+ Chef Jobs in Pennsylvania
Find roles in Pennsylvania that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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