Line Cook

Line Cook | Job Description

Busboys and Poets is a restaurant/bar/bookstore/event space/community where racial and cultural connections are consciously uplifted and a place to take a deliberate pause and feed your mind, body and soul. It is also a space for art, culture and politics to intentionally collide. We believe that by creating such a space we can inspire social change and begin to transform our community and the world.

Line Cooks responsible for cooking at specific stations. Food preparation, cooking, plating, maintaining cleanliness, and following food safety guidelines. They work as part of a team, often under pressure, to ensure timely and high-quality food delivery.

Job Type: Variable. Pay : $18.50-$22 per hour

Company Benefits

Busboys and Poets offers competitive pay and benefits including a wide choice of health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, 401(k) retirement plan with employer match, paid sick leave, paid vacation leave, paid parental leave, a company paid life insurance policy, pet insurance and so much more.

WHY WORK FOR US:
Join a diverse space:81% of our total workforce identifies as a person of color, 45% of our total workforce identifies as female and 5% of our workforce identifies as a person with disabilities. Our executive team also represents gender diversity, ethnic diversity, sexual orientation, and more. Men and women equally represented as well as various cultural and religious backgrounds. We strive to provide an inclusive workplace where you can bring your authentic self to work.
Grow with us:Over 60% of our managers were promoted from within to their existing role from line staff or from Front-of-House manager to Assistant or General Manager. Our entire Executive Team consists of existing employees who showed promise and were promoted into leadership positions.
Work with latest technologies:Striving to be a leader in our industry, we utilize a broad spectrum of technologies including our tech forward training program, employee payroll system, a self-managed tip distribution system, an events and catering platform, inventory management system, our POS Toast and much more!
Happy staff: Busboys and Poets is always looking for the next best way to engage with our staff. This includes raffles, anniversary boxes, an employee dedicated web-based forum and information site, blog and podcast.

Job duties include but are not limited to:

• Ingredient Preparation: Washing, chopping, slicing, dicing, and portioning fruits, vegetables, meats, and other food items.
• Following Recipes: prepping soups, baking desserts, and making stocks/sauces etc.
• Food Preparation: Line cooks chop, slice, dice, mix, and prepare ingredients according to recipes.
• Food Storage and Labeling: Following the cooling procedures, properly storing prepared ingredients, labeling them with dates, adding your name and contents, and maintaining inventory and quality assurance.
• Maintaining a Clean and Organized Workspace: Ensuring the kitchen area, equipment, and utensils are clean and sanitized.
• Knowledge of Food Safety Standards: Following proper food handling procedures and maintaining a safe working environment and storage practices.
• Assisting with Basic Cooking Tasks: May be asked to prepare simple dishes like salads, sauces, or dressings.
• Communicating: Interacting with Kitchen Manager, kitchen staff, expo/food runners and service staff to ensure smooth customer experience.
• Attention to Detail: Ensuring accuracy in ingredient preparation and measurements.
• Ability to Work in a Fast-Paced Environment: Handling multiple tasks and demands in a busy kitchen.
• Food Quality assurance: Observe and test foods to determine if they have been cooked sufficiently, using methods such as tasting, smelling, or checking with a temperature.
• Cooking: Line cook food using various methods like grilling, frying, sautéing, and baking.
• Plating: Line cooks arrange and present dishes according to the menu's specifications.
• Station Management: They maintain a clean and organized workspace, ensuring all the food items are stocked and are available.
• Food Safety: They adhere to strict food safety and sanitation guidelines, including proper handling and storage of food.
• Inventory Management: line cooks are responsible for tracking inventory, restocking items in their station, and managing waste.
• Teamwork: They collaborate with other kitchen staff to ensure efficient and timely service.
• Attention to Detail: Ensuring food is prepared and presented to the restaurant's standards and adhering to customer requests/modifications.
• Following Prep Lists: Must always follow the recipes, working from lists created by the Kitchen Manager to prepare ingredients for specific dishes and menu items.
• Complete end of shift duties, including sanitizing, cleaning, restocking, organizing and preparing station for next shift, and cleaning of station equipment.
• Cleaning Equipment: Stove, Grill, Fryer, Coolers, Hood, and Station.
• Assist with additional duties and support other departments as needed during service, including stepping in to perform BOH tasks.
• Other duties as needed.

Qualifications:

• Cooking Skills: Proficiency in various cooking techniques and knowledge of different flavors and textures.
• Speed and Precision: Ability to work quickly and accurately, especially during busy service periods.
• Knife Skills: Proficiency in various cutting techniques for different food items.
• Ability to read recipes/order tickets in English.
• Must have weekend availability and work a minimum of 3 shifts per week.
• Must be able to work with a team and effectively with other staff.
• Must be able to follow safety protocol when moving
• Must be able to get along with others.
• Dependable, on time attendance, and able to follow company policies, procedures, and service standards

Physical Requirements:

• Being able to stand for extended periods and perform repetitive tasks
• Spend time using a knife, carrying large pots and using the oven, etc.
• Spend time bending, reaching, crawling and/or twisting the body
• Spend time lifting heavy weight up to 50 pounds
• Spend time standing on feet for long hours
• Spend time in possible hot and cold temperatures (ie near oven, in freezer)
• Required to wear common protective clothing such as slip resistant shoes, gloves, hats/hair nets, apron, chef jackets/pants.

Busboys and Poets is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Please note the above listed is intended to describe the general duties, responsibilities, and requirements for performance in this position. It should not be construed as a comprehensive or complete statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements. The Company reserves the right to amend this job description as it deems necessary.

Busboys and Poets owns and operates 8 multi-concept restaurant, bar, event and bookstore spaces in DC, Maryland and Virginia. Our locations include: 14th & V, 450K, Anacostia, Brookland, Columbia, Hyattsville, Shirlington, and Takoma with more on the horizon!

Pay: $18.50 - $22.00 per hour