Chef Jobs in Virginia
Chef jobs in Virginia are concentrated in Northern Virginia, Richmond, and Virginia Beach, where restaurants, hotels, and hospitality groups maintain steady demand for culinary professionals at every level from line cook to executive chef. Major employers with a lasting presence in the state include Marriott International, which is headquartered in Bethesda just outside Northern Virginia and operates properties throughout the region, Hilton Hotels, and large dining and contract food service operators such as Aramark. The most in-demand specialties are fine dining, banquet and catering, and fast-casual kitchen management. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
Find Chef JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 116+ Chef jobs
Assistant Kitchen Manager
Role Overview
Key Details
Position Type
Seasonal Contract (May – Sept)
Schedule
Full-Time, Exempt (minimum 6 days / 70 hours per week)
Location
On-site (Rural Summer Camp facilities across the US)
Perks Included
Competitive Pay, Bonus, Free RoomBoard, Travel Allowance
About Wolfoods
Wolfoods is elevating camp dining by replacing standard freezer fare with fresh, high-quality, scratch-cooked cuisine. We serve vibrant summer camp communities across the country while providing exceptional care for dietary restrictions, nutrition, and environmental sustainability.
Role Summary
We are seeking an experienced, high-energy Assistant Kitchen Manager for a hands-on leadership position. You will oversee all prep and production for designated day part, staff management, and allergen safety at a top-tier summer camp.
This is an on-site, live-in position in a fast-paced, high-volume environment.
Key Responsibilities
- OperationsLeadership: Lead and train kitchen staff; foster a high-energy, positive environment.
- CulinaryQuality Excellence: Operational flow, portion control, menu specs, scratch cooking execution, and timely meal service.
- AllergenSafety Compliance: Strictly manage food allergy protocols (Kosher, Nut-Free, Gluten-Free, Vegan, etc.) and maintain top Health Department sanitation standards.
- AdministrationBudget: Manage inventory and assist with daily reporting
- Client Relations: Serve as a liaison between kitchen operations, campers, and camp leadership.
Qualifications
- Experience: 2+ years in a commercial kitchen leadership role with scratch and institutional/batch cooking experience.
- Certifications: ServSafe Allergens required before start date; company-sponsored.
- Skills: Strong leadership, cooking, able to navigate I-Pad, versatile with ingredients, and sharp problem-solving abilities.
- Physical Requirements: Ability to stand for extended periods, work in hot/cold kitchen settings, and lift up to 50 lbs.
- Lifestyle: Ready to live on-site in a rustic setting, work a demanding minimum 6-day/70-hour week, and thrive under pressure.
What We Offer
- Competitive seasonal pay + performance bonus structure
- Full room and board provided for the duration of the contract
- Travel expense assistance
- Opportunity to lead a dynamic team in a unique, vibrant camp community
Wolfoods Food Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Assistant Kitchen Manager
Role Overview
Key Details
Position Type
Seasonal Contract (May – Sept)
Schedule
Full-Time, Exempt (minimum 6 days / 70 hours per week)
Location
On-site (Rural Summer Camp facilities across the US)
Perks Included
Competitive Pay, Bonus, Free RoomBoard, Travel Allowance
About Wolfoods
Wolfoods is elevating camp dining by replacing standard freezer fare with fresh, high-quality, scratch-cooked cuisine. We serve vibrant summer camp communities across the country while providing exceptional care for dietary restrictions, nutrition, and environmental sustainability.
Role Summary
We are seeking an experienced, high-energy Assistant Kitchen Manager for a hands-on leadership position. You will oversee all prep and production for designated day part, staff management, and allergen safety at a top-tier summer camp.
This is an on-site, live-in position in a fast-paced, high-volume environment.
Key Responsibilities
- OperationsLeadership: Lead and train kitchen staff; foster a high-energy, positive environment.
- CulinaryQuality Excellence: Operational flow, portion control, menu specs, scratch cooking execution, and timely meal service.
- AllergenSafety Compliance: Strictly manage food allergy protocols (Kosher, Nut-Free, Gluten-Free, Vegan, etc.) and maintain top Health Department sanitation standards.
- AdministrationBudget: Manage inventory and assist with daily reporting
- Client Relations: Serve as a liaison between kitchen operations, campers, and camp leadership.
Qualifications
- Experience: 2+ years in a commercial kitchen leadership role with scratch and institutional/batch cooking experience.
- Certifications: ServSafe Allergens required before start date; company-sponsored.
- Skills: Strong leadership, cooking, able to navigate I-Pad, versatile with ingredients, and sharp problem-solving abilities.
- Physical Requirements: Ability to stand for extended periods, work in hot/cold kitchen settings, and lift up to 50 lbs.
- Lifestyle: Ready to live on-site in a rustic setting, work a demanding minimum 6-day/70-hour week, and thrive under pressure.
What We Offer
- Competitive seasonal pay + performance bonus structure
- Full room and board provided for the duration of the contract
- Travel expense assistance
- Opportunity to lead a dynamic team in a unique, vibrant camp community
Wolfoods Food Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
See All 116+ Chef Jobs in Virginia
Find roles in Virginia that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Chef JobsChef Jobs by City in Virginia
Where Virginia roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Chef Job Market in Virginia
A snapshot from current Virginia openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Wolfoods11
- Sodexo5
- Eurest4
- Harris Teeter3
- Brock & Company3
Top Industries Hiring
- Sports & Recreation
- Food & Beverage
- Aerospace & Defense
- Transportation & Logistics
What Virginia Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in chef jobs across Virginia.
- Valid food handler certification or ServSafe credential recognized in Virginia
- Proven experience managing kitchen operations and supervising culinary staff
- Proficiency with menu development, food costing, and inventory control
- Ability to maintain compliance with Virginia Department of Health food safety regulations
- Culinary arts degree or equivalent professional training from an accredited program
- Strong knife skills and fluency across multiple cooking techniques and cuisines
Chef Jobs in Virginia: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a chef in Virginia?
Virginia does not require a state-issued chef license, but all food service workers must hold a food handler certification and food establishments must comply with Virginia Department of Health regulations. Most Virginia employers expect either a culinary arts degree from a program such as those offered at Johnson and Wales University or Northern Virginia Community College, or substantial professional kitchen experience. Earning a ServSafe Manager Certification strengthens any application significantly.
Which companies hire chefs in Virginia?
Virginia chef roles are posted by Wolfoods, Sodexo, and Eurest and others right now, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Northern Virginia's proximity to major hotel brands and federal event venues means large hospitality groups and contract food service companies are among the most consistent hirers in the state.
Which Virginia cities have the most chef jobs?
Virginia Beach, Richmond, and Arlington account for the largest share of chef openings in Virginia. Northern Virginia and Arlington drive volume through their dense concentration of hotels, catering operations, and corporate dining tied to the federal government corridor, while Richmond's growing independent restaurant scene and Virginia Beach's year-round tourism hospitality market keep demand strong in those metros.
Are there remote chef jobs in Virginia?
Yes, but they're rare. Culinary work is fundamentally hands-on and tied to a physical kitchen, so remote arrangements are limited almost entirely to roles like recipe development consulting, culinary content creation, or virtual cooking instruction. About 0% of chef openings tied to Virginia are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting just how on-site the profession remains. Recipe and menu development contracts represent the largest slice of that small remote share.
How can I get hired as a chef in Virginia with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry point is a prep cook or line cook role at a high-volume Virginia operation such as a hotel kitchen, university dining facility, or contract food service employer, where structured on-the-job training replaces prior experience. Northern Virginia Community College and culinary programs at Virginia colleges offer certificates that Virginia employers recognize for entry-level candidates. Completing a ServSafe certification before applying gives candidates a clear edge, and volunteer or externship experience through accredited culinary programs is widely accepted in lieu of paid history.
Where can I find and apply to chef jobs in Virginia?
You can find and apply to chef jobs in Virginia on Migrate Mate, which lists current Virginia openings across the state. Search the listings to find roles that match your experience level, preferred location, and kitchen specialty, then apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 116+ Chef Jobs in Virginia
Find roles in Virginia that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Chef Jobs