Chief Cook Jobs

2 open vacancies · updated 26 Oct 2026

Chief Cook on Bulk carrier

$1,800 – $2,000 / mo

Anchorpoint crew services · Bulk Carrier

Bulk Carrier

Salary$1,800 – $2,000 / mo

BoardingLate Nov 2026

Duration5–7 months

CitizenshipIndia

Late Nov 2026 · 5–7 mos · India

Chief Cook on Container ship

Negotiable / mo

ZODIAC Maritime · Container Ship

Container Ship

SalaryNegotiable / mo

BoardingMid Nov 2026

Duration5–7 months

CitizenshipAny citizenship

Mid Nov 2026 · 5–7 mos · Any citizenship

About the role

The Chief Cook works in the galley and is in charge of food preparation on board. The Chief Cook reports to the Master and supervises the Cook and the Messman. The work includes planning menus, ordering provisions, keeping food stores in order and keeping the galley clean. The Chief Cook follows food safety and hygiene rules and checks that meals are served on time. Chief Cooks work on cargo ships, tankers, passenger ships and offshore vessels. The role needs good organization and clean kitchen habits.

Duties on board

Plan menus and prepare meals for the crew at set times.
Order provisions and check deliveries against the food order.
Store food at the right temperature and keep stores clean.
Supervise the Cook and Messman in daily galley work.
Keep the galley, mess rooms and food stores hygienic.
Control food stock and record what is used.
Follow food safety rules for preparing and serving meals.
Check galley equipment and report faults for repair.
Report food stock and galley matters to the Master or Chief Officer.

Requirements

Document	Convention	Note
Ship's cook training	MLC 2006 Reg. 3.2	Ships' cooks must be trained and qualified for their position on board.
BST (basic training)	STCW VI/1	Seafarers must receive safety familiarization and basic training.
Security-awareness training	STCW VI/6	Seafarers must receive security-related familiarization and security-awareness training.

Sea service

The convention does not set a sea service requirement for Chief Cook. MLC 2006 Reg. 3.2 requires ships' cooks to be trained and qualified for their position on board.

Medical fitness

Seafarers must hold a valid medical certificate before beginning work on a ship. The certificate states that hearing, sight and colour vision where relevant are satisfactory. It is valid for a maximum of two years, or one year if the seafarer is under 18.

Documents

Passport
Seaman's book (CDC)
Ship's cook training certificate
BST certificate
Security-awareness certificate
Medical certificate
Visas when the voyage needs them

What employers on Krew Guru ask for

Vessel typesBulk Carrier 34%, Chemical Tanker 25%, Container Ship 14%, Oil Tanker 13%, LPG Carrier 7%

Contracts in rank (median)1

Contract length (median)6 months

Open to any nationality96%

VisasUnited States of America 13%

Based on 71 vacancies on Krew Guru over the last 365 days.

Career path

Comes from: Cook, Messman

Companies hiring Chief Cook now

ZODIAC Maritime1 vacancy
Anchorpoint crew services1 vacancy

Cook3 vacancies
Messmanno open vacancies

Chief Cook: questions and answers

What training does a Chief Cook need?

Under MLC 2006 Reg. 3.2, ships' cooks must be trained and qualified for their position on board. The training covers practical cookery, food and personal hygiene, food storage, stock control, environmental protection and catering health and safety. All seafarers also need BST and security-awareness training.

Is there a minimum age for a ship's cook?

Yes. MLC 2006 Reg. 3.2 says no seafarer under the age of 18 may be employed or work as a ship's cook.

How long is a medical certificate valid?

A medical certificate is valid for a maximum of two years. It is valid for one year if the seafarer is under the age of 18. A colour vision certificate is valid for a maximum of six years. If it expires during a voyage, it stays in force until the next port of call where a new one can be obtained, for no more than three months.

Do I need sea service to become a Chief Cook?