Assistant Chef Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Assistant chef roles can qualify for H-1B visa sponsorship when the position requires a culinary arts degree, though many kitchens rely on H-2B visa for seasonal hires instead. Knowing which visa fits your employer's timeline and your credentials is the first decision you'll need to make.
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JOB SUMMARY
Management position that focuses on successfully accomplishing the daily objectives in the kitchen. Leads staff while personally assisting in all areas of the kitchen, including food production; purchasing and kitchen sanitation. Position contributes to ensuring guest and employee satisfaction while maintaining the operating budget.
CANDIDATE PROFILE
Education and Experience
- High school diploma or GED; 5 years experience in the culinary, food and beverage, or related professional area.
OR
- 2-year degree from an accredited university in Culinary Arts, Hotel and Restaurant Management, or related major; 3 years experience in the culinary, food and beverage, or related professional area.
CORE WORK ACTIVITIES
Ensuring Culinary Standards and Responsibilities are Met
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Develops, designs, or creates new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
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Maintains food handling and sanitation standards.
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Ensures all employees have proper supplies, equipment and uniforms.
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Performs all duties of Culinary and related kitchen area employees in high demand times.
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Oversees production and preparation of culinary items.
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Ensures employees keep their work areas clean and sanitary.
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Works with Restaurant and Banquet departments to coordinate service and timing of events and meals.
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Communicates areas in need of attention to staff and follows up to ensure follow through.
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Supports and assists with new menus, concepts and promotions for the Restaurant outlets and Banquets.
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Assists in determining how food should be presented and creates decorative food displays.
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Prepares and cooks foods of all types, either on a regular basis or for special guests or functions.
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Checks the quality of raw and cooked food products to ensure that standards are met.
Supervising Daily Culinary Team Activities
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Ensures and maintains the productivity level of employees.
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Ensures completion of assigned duties.
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Coordinates activities of cooks and workers engaged in food preparation.
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Utilizes interpersonal and communication skills to lead, influence, and encourage others; advocates sound financial/business decision making; demonstrates honesty/integrity; leads by example.
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Leads shifts while personally preparing food items and executing requests based on required specifications.
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Handles employee questions and concerns.
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Identifies the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
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Conducts employee performance appraisal process, giving feedback as needed.
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Communicates performance expectations in accordance with job descriptions for each position.
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Participates in an on-going employee recognition program.
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Monitors employee's progress towards meeting performance expectations.
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Conducts training when appropriate.
Maintaining Culinary Goals
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Follows specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
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Monitors staffing levels to ensure that guest service, operational needs and financial objectives are met.
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Places orders for appropriate supplies and manages food and supply inventories according to budget.
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Participates in department meetings and continually communicates a clear and consistent message regarding the departmental goals to produce desired results.
Ensuring Exceptional Customer Service
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Provides services that are above and beyond for customer satisfaction and retention.
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Manages day-to-day operations, ensuring the quality, standards and meeting the expectations of the customers on a daily basis.
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Improves service by communicating and assisting individuals to understand guest needs, providing guidance, feedback, and individual coaching when needed.
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Sets a positive example for guest relations.
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Strives to improve service performance.
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Handles guest problems and complaints seeking assistance from supervisor as necessary.
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Empowers employees to provide excellent customer service within guidelines.
Additional Responsibilities
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Provides information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
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Serves as a role model to demonstrate appropriate behaviors.
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Analyzes information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
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Complies with loss prevention policies and procedures.
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Reports malfunctions in department equipment.
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Attends and participates in all pertinent meetings.
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Encourages and builds mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
LOCATION
Location: 8701 World Center Drive, ORLANDO FL 32821, United States
SCHEDULE
Schedule: Full Time
POSITION TYPE
Position Type: Management
PAY RANGE
Pay Range: $26.92-$32.69 per hour
BONUS ELIGIBLE
Bonus Eligible: Y
At Marriott International, we are dedicated to being an equal opportunity employer, welcoming all and providing access to opportunity. We actively foster an environment where the unique backgrounds of our associates are valued and celebrated. Our greatest strength lies in the rich blend of culture, talent, and experiences of our associates. We are committed to non-discrimination on any protected basis, including disability, veteran status, or other basis protected by applicable law. Marriott Hotels strive to elevate the art of hospitality, innovating at every opportunity while keeping the comfort of the oh-so-familiar all around the globe. As a host with Marriott Hotels, you will help keep the promise of “Wonderful Hospitality. Always.” by delivering thoughtful, heartfelt, forward-thinking service that upholds and builds upon this living legacy. With the name that’s synonymous with hospitality the world over, we are proud to welcome you to explore a career with Marriott Hotels. In joining Marriott Hotels, you join a portfolio of brands with Marriott International. Be where you can do your best work, begin your purpose, belong to an amazing global team, and become the best version of you.
JW Marriott is part of Marriott International's luxury portfolio and consists of more than 100 beautiful properties in gateway cities and distinctive resort locations around the world. JW believes our associates come first. Because if you’re happy, our guests will be happy. JW Marriott associates are confident, innovative, genuine, intuitive, and carry on the legacy of the brand’s namesake and company founder, J.Willard Marriott. Our hotels offer a work experience unlike any other, where you’ll be part of a community and enjoy true camaraderie with a diverse group of co-workers. JW creates opportunities for training, development, recognition and most importantly, a place where you can pursue your passions in a luxury environment with a focus on holistic well-being. Treating guests exceptionally starts with the way we take care of our associates. That’s The JW Treatment™. In joining JW Marriott, you join a portfolio of brands with Marriott International. Be where you can do your best work, begin your purpose, belong to an amazing global team, and become the best version of you.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Visa Sponsorship as an Assistant Chef
Verify your culinary credential meets requirements
An H-1B for an assistant chef requires the role to qualify as a specialty occupation. Pull the O*NET profile to confirm whether your employer's job description requires a bachelor's degree in culinary arts specifically, not just any degree.
Target hotel groups and resort operators
Large hospitality groups with multi-property operations file H-2B and H-1B petitions far more regularly than independent restaurants. Focus your search on convention hotels, cruise-adjacent resorts, and casino food and beverage departments with dedicated HR teams.
Distinguish H-2B from H-1B before applying
H-2B covers temporary or seasonal kitchen roles and has a 66,000 annual cap. H-1B requires a specialty occupation. Ask hiring managers which category their previous sponsored hires used before accepting any offer involving a visa petition.
Use Migrate Mate to find verified sponsors
Search Migrate Mate's job board to identify employers with verified sponsorship filing history in food service and hospitality. This saves time you'd otherwise spend cold-applying to kitchens that have never filed a petition.
Get your credentials evaluated before the offer stage
If your culinary training is from outside the U.S., have a credential evaluation completed before you receive a formal offer. USCIS requires the degree equivalency to be established upfront, and delays here can hold up an LCA filing.
Confirm the employer meets prevailing wage before signing
Your employer must pay at least the prevailing wage for your role and location. Run your job title and work location through the OFLC Wage Search before signing an offer letter so you're not surprised after the LCA is submitted.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does an assistant chef role qualify for H-1B sponsorship?
It depends on how the employer defines the position. USCIS requires a specialty occupation, meaning the role must normally require a bachelor's degree in culinary arts or a closely related field. Assistant chef roles at high-end restaurants or institutional employers with formal culinary degree requirements have a stronger case than general prep kitchen positions.
Is H-2B a realistic path for assistant chefs?
Yes, especially for seasonal or temporary roles. H-2B covers non-agricultural temporary workers, and many resorts, event venues, and seasonal restaurants use it to fill kitchen positions. The employer must demonstrate a temporary need and go through DOL labor certification. The 66,000 annual cap fills quickly, so employers typically file early in the federal fiscal year.
What visa sponsorship options exist for assistant chefs without a culinary degree?
Without a qualifying degree, H-1B is generally off the table. H-2B remains an option if the role is temporary or seasonal and your employer can document the need. Some candidates with significant documented work experience may qualify under a three-for-one experience substitution, but this requires careful documentation and employer willingness to build the case through PERM.
How do I find employers who have sponsored assistant chef roles before?
Migrate Mate lists employers with verified sponsorship filing history in hospitality and food service, so you can focus your applications on kitchens that have already navigated the process. This is especially useful for filtering out restaurants that express interest in sponsorship but have never actually filed a petition.
Does my culinary school training from outside the U.S. count toward visa eligibility?
Foreign culinary credentials can count, but they must be evaluated by a recognized credential evaluation service to establish U.S. degree equivalency. USCIS will assess whether your training is equivalent to a U.S. bachelor's degree in culinary arts. A three-year diploma from a recognized international culinary institute may qualify, but this varies by institution and evaluator.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Assistant Chef jobs?
U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.