Line Cook

At theWit Chicago , you'll become part of a dynamic culinary team that supports a variety of unique dining experiences throughout the hotel. From restaurant service and rooftop events to banquets, catering, and in-room dining, you'll have the opportunity to expand your culinary skills while contributing to exceptional guest experiences in one of Chicago's premier lifestyle hotels.

Position Summary

theWit Chicago is seeking a passionate and dependable Line Cook to join our culinary team. This position is responsible for preparing high-quality food while supporting all food and beverage venues throughout the hotel, including restaurants, bars, in-room dining, banquets, catering, and special events. The ideal candidate thrives in a fast-paced environment, is adaptable to varying culinary operations, and is committed to delivering exceptional dining experiences while maintaining the highest standards of food quality, consistency, sanitation, and efficiency.

We are looking for talented line cooks who are passionate about working with quality local ingredients, taking pride in every plate, and contributing to a clean, team-focused kitchen. This is a great opportunity for someone who wants to keep growing in their culinary career while working in a fun, fast-paced environment. We offer PTO, Hilton discounts, and the chance to be part of a team that cares about great food and doing things the right way. If that sounds like you, we’d like to speak with you.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Prepare and cook menu items according to standardized recipes, presentation guidelines, and quality standards.
• Support culinary operations across all hotel food and beverage outlets, including restaurants, lounges, in-room dining, banquets, catering, and special events as business demands require.
• Set up, stock, and maintain assigned workstations with all necessary ingredients and supplies before each shift.
• Work multiple kitchen stations, adapting to the needs of different venues and service styles.
• Ensure all food is prepared accurately and served in a timely manner during high-volume meal periods and special events.
• Maintain consistent food quality, portion control, and presentation standards across all outlets.
• Follow proper food handling, labeling, storage, rotation, and sanitation procedures in compliance with local health regulations, Hilton standards, and HACCP guidelines.
• Assist with daily food preparation, inventory rotation, receiving deliveries, and organizing kitchen storage areas.
• Minimize food waste while maintaining proper product utilization.
• Clean and sanitize workstations, kitchen equipment, utensils, and storage areas throughout each shift.
• Communicate effectively with chefs, kitchen staff, banquet teams, and front-of-house team members to ensure smooth and efficient operations.
• Assist with menu changes, seasonal offerings, and special culinary events as assigned.
• Follow all hotel safety procedures and promptly report equipment malfunctions or safety concerns.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support the overall success of the Culinary and Food & Beverage Departments.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent preferred.
• Minimum of 1-2 years of cooking experience in a restaurant, hotel, banquet, or high-volume kitchen preferred.
• Previous luxury hotel or upscale dining experience is highly preferred.
• Food Handler Certification (or ability to obtain upon hire).
• Working knowledge of food safety, sanitation, and HACCP standards.
• Ability to prepare multiple menu items while maintaining quality and consistency.
• Strong organizational, communication, and time management skills.
• Ability to work independently while contributing to a collaborative culinary team.
• Flexible and adaptable to support multiple outlets and varying business demands.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods throughout the shift.
• Frequently lift, carry, push, and pull up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to bend, reach, stoop, kneel, and work safely in a fast-paced commercial kitchen environment.
• Comfortable working around hot surfaces, sharp tools, and commercial kitchen equipment.

Schedule Requirements

• Flexible availability, including mornings, evenings, weekends, holidays, and special events.
• Willingness to work overtime and support different culinary outlets based on operational needs.

Preferred Skills

• Experience working multiple stations (grill, sauté, pantry, fry, garde manger, and banquet production).
• Strong knife skills and knowledge of various cooking techniques.
• Ability to prioritize tasks and remain calm during peak service periods.
• Excellent attention to detail and commitment to culinary excellence.
• Positive attitude, strong work ethic, and willingness to learn and grow.

Compensation and Benefits

• $22.00 per hour

We offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support the health, well-being, and financial security of our employees. Our offerings include:

• Medical Plans: Choice of three plans to meet your healthcare needs.
• Dental Plans: Two options for dental coverage.
• Vision Insurance: Coverage for routine eye care and eyewear.
• Paid Time Off (PTO): To support work-life balance.
• Accident/Hospital Indemnity/Critical Illness plans (new for 2026).
• 401(k) Retirement Plan: Plan for your future with employer contributions.
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA): Pre-tax savings for healthcare and dependent care expenses.
• Life and AD&D Insurance: Employer-provided coverage with additional voluntary options.
• Short-Term Disability (STD): Employer-provided coverage to support you during temporary disability.
• Voluntary Long-Term Disability (LTD): Additional protection for extended disability.
• Commuter Benefits: Save on transit and parking expenses.
• Pet Insurance: Options to support your furry family members.
• Hilton travel discounts and employee room rates worldwide
• Career growth and training opportunities 
• Access to wellness programs and employee appreciation events

Please note that eligibility for certain benefits may vary depending on your employment status. Detailed information, including plan summaries and enrollment instructions, will be provided during onboarding or upon request. This summary complies with applicable state laws and is subject to change based on legislative updates or company policies.

E-Verify Participation:

theWit Hotel participates in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security E-Verify program to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees.

Equal Employment Opportunity:

theWit Hotel and ROOF on theWit are proud to be Equal Opportunity Employers. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.