Line Cook/Prep Cook

Prep Cook / Line Cook Culinary Production

Location: Citarella Bronx Distribution Center 600 Food Center Drive, Bronx, NY 10474

About Citarella

Led by dynamic owner Joe Gurrera and his commitment to superior quality, Citarella has grown from a respected NYC fish market into a full-scale Ultimate Gourmet Market with locations across New York City, the Hamptons, and Greenwich, Connecticut. A family-run business, we're driven by a passion for great food. We delight customers with the finest selection of fresh seafood, prime, dry-aged beef, chef-prepared specialties, handcrafted pastries, international cheeses, imported groceries, and more. Join our team of seasoned professionals and become part of the fabric of the New York food scene.

Role Overview

Citarella is seeking dependable, motivated Prep Cooks and Line Cooks to join our culinary production team at our Bronx Distribution Center. In this role, you'll help prepare and cook high-quality, chef-prepared foods distributed to our retail locations while maintaining our standards for freshness, flavor, consistency, and food safety.

We're looking for individuals with hands-on kitchen experience, strong food preparation skills, and a passion for producing quality food. Whether your strengths are in knife skills and ingredient preparation or cooking, following recipes, and executing dishes, we offer opportunities for different levels of culinary experience. Our ideal candidates are comfortable working in a fast-paced, high-volume kitchen, following chef instructions, and contributing to a collaborative production team.

Responsibilities & Duties

• Prepare and cook a variety of meats, seafood, vegetables, and other food products according to established recipes, production schedules, and chef instructions.
• Perform daily food preparation tasks, including washing, peeling, chopping, slicing, dicing, trimming, and portioning ingredients.
• Work across assigned kitchen preparation and cooking stations to support daily culinary production.
• Execute cooking techniques such as sauting, grilling, roasting, boiling, and simmering, depending on experience and assigned responsibilities.
• Follow standardized recipes, accurately measure ingredients, and maintain consistent flavor, quality, and portion sizes.
• Assist with large-batch cooking and food preparation to meet production demands across Citarella's retail locations.
• Monitor cooking times, food temperatures, and preparation methods to ensure products meet established quality and food safety standards.
• Properly label, date, store, and rotate ingredients and finished food products.
• Maintain clean, organized, and sanitized workstations, cooking equipment, and utensils.
• Follow all food safety, sanitation, temperature-control, and workplace safety procedures.
• Safely operate commercial kitchen equipment and report maintenance or safety concerns.
• Work closely with chefs, supervisors, and fellow team members to maintain an efficient production workflow and meet daily deadlines.
• Minimize food waste through proper ingredient handling, portioning, storage, and preparation techniques.
• Perform additional kitchen preparation and production duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Previous hands-on experience in a professional kitchen, restaurant, catering operation, commissary, or food production environment.
• Basic to intermediate knife skills, including chopping, slicing, dicing, and ingredient preparation.
• Familiarity with food preparation techniques and commercial kitchen equipment.
• Ability to follow recipes, preparation instructions, and established food quality standards appropriate to experience level.
• Understanding of proper food handling, sanitation, and kitchen safety practices.
• Ability to work efficiently and maintain quality in a fast-paced, high-volume kitchen.
• Strong attention to detail, organization, and time management.
• Ability to follow direction, communicate effectively, and work collaboratively with a culinary team.
• Dependable, punctual, and committed to maintaining high standards of food quality and safety.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience as a Prep Cook, Line Cook, Production Cook, or similar culinary position.
• Hands-on cooking experience preparing proteins, vegetables, sauces, and other hot or cold dishes.
• Ability to independently follow standardized recipes, accurately measure ingredients, and execute assigned cooking tasks.
• Experience with sauting, grilling, roasting, and other professional cooking techniques.
• Experience in high-volume kitchens, catering, commissary operations, or large-scale food production.
• Familiarity with batch cooking, portion control, and maintaining consistency across large production quantities.
• Food Handler's Certification is a plus.
• Bilingual communication skills in English and Spanish are a plus.

Physical & Additional Requirements

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods throughout the shift.
• Ability to lift, carry, push, and pull items weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to perform repetitive tasks involving bending, reaching, chopping, slicing, and food preparation.
• Ability to work in environments with varying temperatures, including refrigerated and heated kitchen areas.
• Ability to safely operate kitchen equipment, utensils, and food preparation tools.
• Maintain proper personal hygiene and follow all established food safety and sanitation procedures.
• Report to work on time, neatly groomed, and wearing the appropriate uniform and required protective equipment.
• Ability to work flexible schedules, including overnight shifts, weekends, and holidays, based on operational needs.

Additional Job Description Notice

The responsibilities outlined above represent the primary functions of this position but are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties. Associates may be assigned additional responsibilities based on operational needs. Citarella reserves the right to revise this job description as business needs and working conditions change.