Line Cook - ALMA Neighborhood Cafe

Job Description

Job Description

About Us: ALMA ("soul" in Spanish and Portuguese) is a neighborhood coffeehouse built around the heart and community of a farmers market - rooted in community, seasonal produce from local farms and makers, and genuine hospitality. With an excellent coffee program, baked goods, savory menus, takeout, and a small beer and wine list, we aim to be a warm and welcoming spot for both locals and tourists in San Luis Obispo.

The Role: As a Line Cook at Alma, you'll prepare and cook our daily menus with care, whether a plate is going to a table, into a takeout bag, or out on a catering order. Our menu follows the seasons and the farmers market, so you'll work with great local produce and see the menu evolve throughout the year. This is a small, close team where everyone pitches in, so you'll also support prep, cleaning, and our pastry team when needed. It's a great fit for a cook who loves the craft, takes pride in consistency, and enjoys working in a kitchen where they have a big impact on the guest experience and a diversity of tasks.

Our three core values shape everything we do: Authenticity, Respect, & Enthusiasm.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

Prep

• Set up your station with the required mise en place, tools, equipment, and supplies before service
• Complete prep assignments from the daily prep list, following recipes and portion standards
• Wash, cut, and prepare seasonal produce and proteins with care and minimal waste
• Label, date, rotate, and store all products properly using FIFO

Service

• Prepare and cook menu items to Alma's recipes, portion sizes, and presentation standards
• Monitor cooking times and temperatures so every dish is correct, high quality, and timely
• Treat dine in, takeout, and catering orders with the same level of care
• Keep your station stocked throughout service and communicate early when something is running low
• Know every ingredient and preparation on the menu, including allergens, so you can answer questions and prevent cross contact

Cleaning and Safety

• Keep your station, knives, cutting boards, and equipment clean and sanitized throughout the shift
• Follow all food safety, storage, and sanitation procedures
• Handle equipment with care and with safety in mind
• Open and close your station using station checklists
• Help with dishes, deep cleaning, and the cleaning list during slower periods

Teamwork

• Take pride in the quality and consistency of every dish that leaves the kitchen
• Stay aware of guest flow and work with FOH to keep service smooth and guests happy
• Help put away deliveries and restock from the walk-in and dry storage
• Support the pastry team and cross train on other stations as needed
• Help train newer kitchen team members when asked
• Contribute to a positive kitchen culture built on teamwork, respect, and good energy
• Perform other duties as assigned by kitchen leadership

Required Skills and Abilities:

• 1 to 2 years of line cook experience, ideally in a cafe, brunch, or fast paced kitchen
• Solid knife skills and a working knowledge of basic cooking techniques
• A genuine passion for great food, seasonal produce, specialty coffee, and local sourcing
• Able to stay calm, organized, and focused during busy rushes
• Takes direction well and communicates clearly with the team
• Strong understanding of food safety and sanitation
• California Food Handler Card (or ability to obtain within 30 days of hire)
• Reliable and punctual, with a team and guest-first attitude
• Flexible availability, including early mornings, weekends, and holidays

Physical Requirements:

• High level of stamina to work on feet for extended periods (be able to work in a standing, upright position for long periods of time up to 8 hours
• Ability to occasionally lift, move, and transport furniture, equipment, and deliveries up to 50 pounds