Head Chef Jobs in Washington
Head Chef jobs in Washington are concentrated in Seattle, Bellevue, and Spokane, where the hospitality industry is anchored by names like Marriott, Hyatt, and Compass Group, all of which maintain a lasting presence in the state. Pacific Northwest cuisine, fine dining, and large-scale catering and events are the specialties driving the most consistent openings. Washington is among the most active markets in the West for experienced culinary leaders, with demand running from executive sous chef promotions up to multi-unit culinary director roles. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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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 Kitchen Manager for a hands-on leadership position. You will oversee all daily culinary, staff management, budgeting, 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, schedule, 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, place food orders, control budgets, track daily reporting.
- Client Relations: Serve as the main liaison between kitchen operations, campers, camp leadership and Wolfoods corporate office.
Qualifications
- Experience: 4+ years in a commercial kitchen leadership role with scratch and institutional/batch cooking experience.
- Certifications: ServSafe Manager Certified (ServSafe Allergens required before start date; company-sponsored).
- Skills: Strong leadership, high computer literacy, budgeting capability, 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.
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 Kitchen Manager for a hands-on leadership position. You will oversee all daily culinary, staff management, budgeting, 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, schedule, 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, place food orders, control budgets, track daily reporting.
- Client Relations: Serve as the main liaison between kitchen operations, campers, camp leadership and Wolfoods corporate office.
Qualifications
- Experience: 4+ years in a commercial kitchen leadership role with scratch and institutional/batch cooking experience.
- Certifications: ServSafe Manager Certified (ServSafe Allergens required before start date; company-sponsored).
- Skills: Strong leadership, high computer literacy, budgeting capability, 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 8 Head Chef Jobs in Washington
Find roles in Washington that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Head Chef JobsHead Chef Jobs by City in Washington
Where Washington roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Head Chef Job Market in Washington
A snapshot from current Washington openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
What Washington Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in head chef jobs across Washington.
- Food Handler Manager Certification recognized by the Washington State Department of Health
- Proven experience leading a full kitchen brigade in a high-volume or fine-dining setting
- Demonstrated ability to develop seasonal menus with locally sourced Pacific Northwest ingredients
- Proficiency managing food cost, labor cost, and kitchen budget to established targets
- Experience hiring, scheduling, and coaching line cooks and kitchen staff
- ServSafe Manager certification or equivalent accredited food safety credential
Head Chef Jobs in Washington: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a head chef in Washington?
Becoming a head chef in Washington requires a Food Handler Manager Certification issued or recognized by the Washington State Department of Health, which you obtain by passing an accredited food safety exam such as ServSafe. Most employers expect a culinary degree or equivalent professional training, followed by progressive kitchen experience moving from line cook through sous chef. Washington's competitive dining markets in Seattle and Spokane reward candidates who can also demonstrate menu development and cost-control skills.
Which companies hire head chefs in Washington?
Employers hiring head chefs in Washington right now include Upper Crust Food Service, Wolfoods, and Emish Market, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Washington's mix of luxury hotel groups, independent fine-dining restaurants, and large corporate dining accounts means demand is spread across both the greater Seattle metro and secondary markets like Spokane and Tacoma.
Which Washington cities have the most head chef jobs?
The cities with the most head chef openings in Washington are Seattle, Tacoma, and Pullman. Seattle's dense concentration of full-service hotels, upscale independent restaurants, and major convention venues drives the bulk of postings, while Bellevue's corporate campus dining programs and Spokane's growing hospitality corridor account for a meaningful share of the listings outside the primary metro.
Are there remote head chef jobs in Washington?
Yes, but they're rare. Head chef work is fundamentally hands-on, requiring daily presence on the kitchen floor for service, staff supervision, and food quality control. About 0% of head chef openings tied to Washington are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, and those tend to be limited to roles with a consulting, menu development, or culinary operations oversight component rather than full day-to-day service leadership.
How can I get hired as a head chef in Washington with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is securing a sous chef or lead line cook role at a large Washington hotel or restaurant group and building toward a promotion internally. Major hospitality operators in the Seattle area, including hotel brands and contract dining companies, run structured culinary apprenticeship and junior management programs worth targeting. A Washington State Department of Health food manager certification and a strong portfolio of menu work give candidates a measurable edge when competing for that first leadership opening.
Where can I find and apply to head chef jobs in Washington?
You can find and apply to head chef jobs in Washington on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from employers actively hiring in the state. Search the available roles, identify the ones that match your kitchen background and specialty, and apply directly to each position that fits your experience level and the type of operation you want to lead.
See All 8 Head Chef Jobs in Washington
Find roles in Washington that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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