Chef Kitchen Lead

The Kitchen Lead is responsible for the daily operation and organization of our kitchen and lunch program.

Youll make sure prep gets done recipes are followed food looks and tastes the way it should inventory stays organized and the kitchen is clean and ready for service.

This is a working lead position. Were looking for someone who leads by example takes ownership of their space and notices what needs to be done without waiting to be told.

Youll work closely with café and operations leadership to continue developing our food program improve kitchen systems and introduce seasonal menu items and specials.

What Youll Do

• Lead daily kitchen prep and food production

• Execute sandwiches salads wraps sides and other menu items consistently and efficiently

• Maintain high standards for food quality portioning presentation and recipe execution

• Organize daily and weekly prep based on expected sales and inventory

• Maintain a clean organized and service-ready kitchen

• Follow and reinforce food safety sanitation labeling storage and temperature-control standards

• Receive organize rotate and properly store food deliveries

• Perform inventory counts and help maintain appropriate par levels

• Identify low-stock items and communicate ordering needs before they become problems

• Monitor product rotation and waste using FIFO and established kitchen procedures

• Help reduce unnecessary food waste while maintaining product availability

• Train and support team members on recipes prep procedures equipment food safety and kitchen standards

• Help maintain recipes prep sheets build guides and other kitchen documentation

• Provide feedback on kitchen workflow equipment ingredients and procedures

• Work with leadership on seasonal menu items specials and improvements to the food program

• Keep equipment work surfaces storage areas refrigeration and the overall kitchen clean and properly maintained

• Communicate problems early and help find practical solutions

Qualifications :

You dont need to come from fine dining. You do need to know how a professional kitchen should operate.

Ideally you have:

• 2 years of kitchen prep café deli bakery catering or other food-service experience

• Lead or supervisory experience preferred but not required for the right candidate

• Strong knowledge of basic food safety and sanitation

• Solid knife skills and familiarity with standard commercial kitchen equipment

• Experience with food prep portioning labeling storage and inventory rotation

• The ability to follow recipes accurately and consistently

• Strong organizational and time-management skills

• The ability to prioritize when several things need attention at once

• Good communication and follow-through

• Comfort working independently without constant supervision

• A willingness to clean organize and maintain the kitchen as part of the job not as somebody elses responsibility

Most importantly were looking for someone who takes ownership.

If something is running low you notice it. If a prep process isnt working you say something. If the kitchen isnt ready for tomorrow you dont simply leave it for tomorrow.

Additional Information :

What Success Looks Like

A successful Kitchen Lead leaves the kitchen better than they found it.

Prep is completed before its needed. Food is consistent. Recipes are followed. Refrigeration and storage are organized. Product is labeled and rotated. Waste is controlled. Equipment is cared for. Problems are communicated early.

The café team knows what to expect from the kitchen and the kitchen is prepared for what the café needs.

Beyond daily execution youll help us continue building a food program that is organized scalable and distinctly Park Avenue Coffee.

The Opportunity

Were not trying to build a giant restaurant menu inside a coffee shop.

Were building a focused café food program centered around well-made sandwiches salads seasonal items scratch-made components and food that complements really good coffee.

There is room in this role for someone who enjoys improving things. If you like developing better prep systems refining recipes testing new menu ideas organizing a kitchen and figuring out how to make an operation run better we want that input.

Were looking for someone who wants to help us build the program not simply work a station.

Physical & Scheduling Requirements

This is an active kitchen position that requires standing for extended periods repetitive food preparation bending reaching and safely lifting and moving food supplies and kitchen equipment.

Availability for morning and daytime shifts is required. Some weekend or holiday availability may be necessary depending on café operations.

Park Avenue Coffee is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race national origin age sex religion disability sexual orientation marital staus veteran status gender identity or expression or any other basis protected by local state or federal law.

Remote Work :

No

Employment Type :

Full-time