<div style='display:inline;'> <img height='1' width='1' style='border-style:none;' alt='' src='//googleads.g.doubleclick.net/pagead/viewthroughconversion/976741647/?value=0&amp;guid=ON&amp;script=0'/> <img height='1' width='1' style='display:none;' alt='' src='https://dc.ads.linkedin.com/collect/?pid=455482&fmt=gif' /> </div> 2026 Culinary Entry-level Jobs in California | WayUp
Skip to content
WayUp powered by Yello
Log inSign up

2026 Culinary Entry-level Jobs in California

If you love preparing food and coming up with delicious new recipes, then an entry-level job in culinary arts is for you. With the right training, you could even become the chef or head cook for a restaurant of your choice. With these positions, you can make a nice $40,630 per year just for doing something you love. Depending on where you work you might be responsible for creating new menu items or for simply following pre-designed recipes and creating standard menu options for diners. In addition to hands-on work with food, people with these jobs in culinary arts act as managers for the general kitchen staff and direct everything that goes on behind the scenes as food is prepared. Whether you have a culinary entry-level job as a chef or choose another position, you should know that you’ll generally have more freedom at independently owned restaurants. With chain restaurants, such as Olive Garden or Applebee’s, you usually have to follow the rules and the recipes set forth by the corporation. With smaller or locally owned restaurants, however, you can often play around with recipes and create your own dishes, something that many chefs enjoy. It is this love for freedom and cooking-creativity that inspires many people to bypass all the typical beginning culinary jobs and to open their own restaurants. If your restaurant is successful and if you’re able to juggle being a chef, a manger, and a business owner, you can enjoy creating your own schedule and earning around $48,130 or more per year.

Hillstone Restaurant GroupMultiple Locations

Kitchen Manager

$100,000-$100,000 per year

HillstoneMultiple Locations

Line Cook

$19-$19

HillstoneMultiple Locations

Dishwasher

$15-$15

Scratch Restaurants GroupEncino, CA

Head Chef

Flecha RestaurantMultiple Locations

Server

Flecha RestaurantMultiple Locations

Bartender

Flecha RestaurantMultiple Locations

Dishwasher

Flecha RestaurantMultiple Locations

Line Cook

ZZ FOODS INCBeverly Hills, CA

Cook

Flecha RestaurantMultiple Locations

Janitor

Flecha RestaurantNewport Beach, CA

Prep-Cook

HALAL GRILL dba Fatimas GrillLos Angeles, CA

cook

Legacy Oaks of Sacramento Assisted Living and Memory CareMultiple Locations

Cook/ RCFE

Bear Flag Fish CompanyNewport Beach, CA

Fishmonger

Europa Village Winery and ResortTemecula, CA

Sous Chef

Europa Village Winery and ResortTemecula, CA

Line Cook

Culinaire StaffingMultiple Locations

Executive Chef

$95,000 per year

FOUR ROOTSAzusa, CA

Chef

Lunada MarketRancho Palos Verdes, CA

Cafe Chef

OPEN FACE FOOD SHOPLos Angeles, CA

Line Cook

EL HONDURAS RESTAURANTSan Francisco, CA

Chef

Totio E Didi Food CorporationDanville, CA

Line Cook

Cellino FoodsLivermore, CA

Chef

Amore Italia Foods IncBrentwood, CA

Pizza Chef

Totio E Didi Food CorporationDanville, CA

Chef

Homecooking Sm888 IncSan Francisco, CA

Chef

BELMONT BREWING CO INCLong Beach, CA

Prep cook

Apply to jobs. Hear back every time.

Sign up now