Assistant Chef

Bring Your Passion for Food to a Mission that Matters

We exist so families can get better together. Each night, we keep 181 families close to the care and resources they need through six area Ronald McDonald Houses® and four Ronald McDonald Family Rooms®. Enabling families to stay close to their hospitalized child supports the health and well-being of the child and saves families more than $10 million in hotel and food costs each year. We also operate the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile® program, providing medical care to children in underserved areas. RMHC-CNI is an independent not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization.

At Ronald McDonald House Charities of Chicagoland & Northwest Indiana, every meal we serve helps bring comfort and care to families facing serious illness. We’re looking for a Part-Time Culinary Team Member to join our kitchen team and help create fresh, nourishing meals for the families who call our House their temporary home.

In this role, you’ll work alongside our Chef to prepare two daily meals (with 85% scratch cooking), create grab-and-go items, and ensure families always have access to safe, high-quality, and allergy-sensitive food options. You’ll also have the opportunity to welcome, orient, and guide our amazing volunteer meal groups, making every shift both meaningful and rewarding.

Typical Schedule:

• 16 hours per week
• Sundays/Mondays noon-8:30pm

What You'll Do:

• Prepare and serve nutritious, high-quality meals following recipes and food safety guidelines.
• Help oversee daily kitchen operations — including inventory, equipment maintenance, and sanitation.
• Support, guide, and collaborate with volunteer groups who generously prepare meals for our families.
• Provide excellent customer service to families, volunteers, and staff in a warm, welcoming environment.
• Serve as the primary back-up to the Chef and support all kitchen functions as needed.

What We're Looking For:

• 1+ year of culinary experience (culinary degree a plus).
• ServSafe and food handler certification (or ability to obtain within 30 days).
• A compassionate, team-oriented person who thrives in a mission-driven environment.
• Strong communication skills and a friendly, approachable personality.
• Knowledge of food safety, nutrition, meal planning, and commercial kitchen equipment.
• Ability to lift up to 35 lbs and work in a fast-paced kitchen environment.

To view the full job description visit

This part-time position is eligible for the following benefits:

• Paid Time Off
• 401(k)
• Employee Assistance Program

At Ronald McDonald House Charities of Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana, we believe in diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace, and we welcome and will consider applications for employment from all qualified candidates, regardless of race, color, gender, national origin, religion, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, individuals with disabilities, pregnancy, marital status, status as a protected veteran or any other status protected by applicable law.

Ronald McDonald House Charities of Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana provides reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities as part of the application or hiring process or to perform the essential functions of their job. If you need assistance accessing or reading this job posting or otherwise feel you need accommodation during the application or hiring process, please contact [email protected]. Reasonable accommodations will be determined on a case-by-case basis.