Kitchen Extern

Union Square Cafe’s seasonal cuisine draws inspiration from the kitchens and tables of Italy, France, and Northern California. Union Square Cafe—the flagship business that launched Danny Meyer’s Union Square Hospitality Group—has been one of the country’s most beloved restaurants for over 40 years. In our second home on 19th Street, Union Square Cafe embodies the heartfelt passion and generosity that has been the restaurant’s calling card since we opened in 1985. Designed by Rockwell Group, our new home preserves the restaurant’s signature charm, intimacy, and familiarity in a fresh, contemporary dining environment. Union Square Cafe has won five James Beard Awards and earned Zagat Survey’s #1 ranking as New York’s Most Popular Restaurant an unprecedented nine times

Who you are:

Kitchen Externs are expected to have a strong passion for food, an eagerness to develop and build on your skills as a cook, and be an integral part of a team that values hard work and attention to every detail.

What you’ll do:

• Consistently support a culture of Enlightened Hospitality
• Demonstrate an eagerness to refine techniques and a desire to continually learn and grow
• Communicates effectively with the kitchen team and embodies an environment of teamwork
• Work with the prep and receiving team to receive, label, and store market deliveries
• Assist line cooks in preparing components for their stations for service and learn to set-up a station independently
• Perform additional responsibilities as needed and other duties as assigned to support team objectives and operational success

What we need from you:

• Experience in a kitchen environment through education (culinary school, or similar)
• Ability to walk or stand for long periods of time
• English fluency and additional languages preferred, but not required

What you’ll get from us:

At Union Square Hospitality Group, extending Enlightened Hospitality is at the heart of everything we do. We believe our people are our greatest ingredient. Joining our team means becoming part of a culture rooted in care, creativity, and growth. As a Kitchen Extern, you’ll enjoy:

• Competitive pay: Hourly rate of $18/hour
• Growth and community: Opportunities for learning, mentorship, and collaboration with some of the most passionate people in hospitality

Putting Enlightened Hospitality into Practice

Integral to our culture are our six behaviors. Our behaviors guide how we work together.

• We play to win with humble swagger. Hospitality is a team sport where everyone deserves an opportunity to thrive and belong
• Turn over the rocks and always be connecting dots to build uplifting experiences and relationships
• Center the salt shaker with an unwavering commitment to excellence and the values that matter most
• Write a great next chapter. The road to success is paved with mistakes well-handled
• Bring a charitable assumption and err on the side of generosity
• Leave our campsite better than we found it; always responsible for the impact of our wake

*The above represents the expected hourly range for this position. Ultimately, in determining your pay, we'll consider your experience and other job-related factors.


The responsibilities outlined above are not exhaustive. This role may be required to take on other duties or projects as necessary to support organizational goals, in alignment with their skills, experience, and the evolving needs of the business.

Equal Opportunity Employer


This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.
For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.