Restaurant, Chef and Food Service Jobs in Jamaica

Food service work in Jamaica

From jerk centres and patty shops to fine dining and all-inclusive resorts, Jamaica's food business is always hiring. This category covers chefs, sous chefs, line and prep cooks, pastry cooks and bakers, kitchen stewards and helpers, servers, bartenders, baristas, fast food crew, cashiers, delivery dispatchers and restaurant supervisors.

Restaurants and fast food chains hire in every town, from Half Way Tree and New Kingston to May Pen, Mandeville and Savanna-la-Mar. Hotel kitchens and bars on the north coast, in Montego Bay, Negril and Ocho Rios, hire large numbers of cooks, servers and bartenders.

What employers look for

• A valid food handler's permit
• Culinary training, such as from HEART/NSTA Trust, for cook and chef roles
• Speed, cleanliness and teamwork under pressure
• Readiness for evenings, weekends and holidays

How to land the job

Keep your food handler's permit current and list the kitchens you have worked in. Many restaurants hire on the spot, so get new food jobs by email and apply quickly.

Questions about finding this kind of work

Do I need a food handler's permit to work in a restaurant?

Yes, for any job handling food or drink. You can get one through your parish health department.

Are there fast food jobs for people with no experience?

Yes. Fast food chains regularly hire and train new crew members. Look for the Entry level tag.

Where are the most chef jobs in Jamaica?

Hotels in St. James, St. Ann, Westmoreland and Hanover hire the most chefs, with many restaurant roles in Kingston and St. Andrew.