Head Chef Jobs in Virginia

Head Chef jobs in Virginia are consistently active, with strong demand concentrated in the Washington D.C. metro corridor, Richmond's growing dining scene, and Virginia Beach's resort and hospitality sector. Employers with lasting hiring needs include Marriott International, Hilton Hotels and Resorts, and Aramark, all of which operate large food service operations throughout the state. The most in-demand specialties are fine dining, hotel banquet and catering, and institutional food service for corporate and government accounts. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

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Overview

Open roles11
Top employerWolfoods
Top cityReston, VA
Cities hiring11
Work type100% On-site
Top credentialServSafe Certification

Showing 5 of 11+ Head Chef jobs

2027 Smmer Camp Kitchen Manager / Head Chef
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Added 1d ago
2027 Smmer Camp Kitchen Manager / Head Chef
Wolfoods
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Healthcare Administration
Patient Services & Wellbeing
Social Work & Counseling
$1,300 - $1,500/yr
On-Site
ServSafe Certification
201-500

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2027 Smmer Camp Kitchen Manager / Head Chef
We won't show you this job again
Added 1d ago
2027 Smmer Camp Kitchen Manager / Head Chef
Wolfoods
Richmond, Virginia
Healthcare Administration
Patient Services & Wellbeing
Social Work & Counseling
$1,300 - $1,500/yr
On-Site
ServSafe Certification
201-500

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2027 Smmer Camp Kitchen Manager / Head Chef
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Added 1d ago
2027 Smmer Camp Kitchen Manager / Head Chef
Wolfoods
Roanoke, Virginia
Healthcare Administration
Patient Services & Wellbeing
Social Work & Counseling
$1,300 - $1,500/yr
On-Site
ServSafe Certification
201-500

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2027 Smmer Camp Kitchen Manager / Head Chef
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Added 1d ago
2027 Smmer Camp Kitchen Manager / Head Chef
Wolfoods
Midlothian, Virginia
Food Service
Hospitality Management
$1,300 - $1,500/yr
On-Site
ServSafe Certification
201-500

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Head Chef and Kitchen Manager
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Added 5d ago
Head Chef and Kitchen Manager
YROC Coastal Bar & Grill
Gloucester Point, Virginia
Business Operations
Customer Service
Project Management
$90k - $120k/yr
On-Site
Experience equivalent to degree accepted

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Head Chef Jobs by City in Virginia

Where Virginia roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Reston
1 job
Roanoke
1 job
Richmond
1 job
Alexandria
1 job
Midlothian
1 job
Centreville
1 job
Falls Church
1 job
Williamsburg
1 job
Virginia Beach
1 job

Head Chef Job Market in Virginia

A snapshot from current Virginia openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

Wolfoods4 open roles
Seoul Prime1 open role
Old City BBQ1 open role

What Virginia Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in head chef jobs across Virginia.

  • ServSafe Food Manager certification or equivalent state-recognized food safety credential required
  • Demonstrated experience leading kitchen teams and managing food and labor costs
  • Proficiency in menu development, recipe creation, and seasonal ingredient sourcing
  • Ability to meet Virginia Department of Health food establishment compliance standards
  • Experience with inventory management, vendor relationships, and ordering systems
  • Culinary degree or equivalent professional training from an accredited program preferred

Head Chef Jobs in Virginia: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a head chef in Virginia?

Becoming a head chef in Virginia typically requires completing a culinary degree or diploma program, followed by progressive kitchen experience working through line cook and sous chef roles. Virginia does not issue a state chef license, but all food service workers in leadership roles must hold a valid food handler or food manager certification recognized by the Virginia Department of Health. Employers in Northern Virginia and Richmond generally expect several years of supervisory kitchen experience before promoting to or hiring at the head chef level.

Which companies hire head chefs in Virginia?

Companies currently hiring head chefs in Virginia include Wolfoods, Seoul Prime, and Old City BBQ, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Virginia's concentration of large hotel groups, federal contract food service providers, and growing independent restaurant groups in Richmond and Northern Virginia keeps head chef openings steady throughout the year.

Which Virginia cities have the most head chef jobs?

The cities with the most head chef openings in Virginia are Reston, Roanoke, and Richmond. Northern Virginia's density of hotels, government contractors, and corporate dining accounts drives the largest volume of postings, while Richmond's expanding independent restaurant scene and Virginia Beach's resort hospitality sector contribute significant hiring activity in their respective regions.

Are there remote head chef jobs in Virginia?

Yes, but they're rare. Head chef work is fundamentally hands-on and requires physical presence in a kitchen, so fully remote roles make up a very small share of openings. About 0% of head chef openings tied to Virginia are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, and those tend to involve consulting, menu development, or culinary training coordination rather than day-to-day kitchen leadership.

How can I get hired as a head chef in Virginia with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path is landing a line cook or prep cook role at a large Virginia hotel or food service operation and advancing from within. Aramark and Sodexo, which both operate extensively across Virginia's universities, hospitals, and government facilities, regularly bring on entry-level kitchen staff and promote internally. Earning a ServSafe Food Manager certification and completing a culinary apprenticeship through the American Culinary Federation's Virginia chapters gives candidates a clear credential edge when applying for junior kitchen leadership roles.

Where can I find and apply to head chef jobs in Virginia?

You can find and apply to head chef jobs in Virginia on Migrate Mate, which lists current Virginia openings across the state's major hiring markets. Find roles that fit your experience and specialization below and apply directly to each opening.

See All 11 Head Chef Jobs in Virginia

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