Central Kitchen Cook Counter Service

Kernel Foods; New York (NY); On-site; USD 10,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading restaurant brand in New York is seeking experienced cooks for their central kitchen. You will prepare high-quality, fresh food from scratch in a dynamic, chef-led environment. This full-time role offers competitive pay, health benefits, and opportunities for career growth.

Benefits

Health & dental insurance (eligibility after 90 days)

Paid time off

Free meals & drinks during shifts

Employee referral bonuses

Qualifications

• 1+ year of experience cooking from scratch in a restaurant kitchen.
• Comfortable using restaurant technology systems.
• High-volume restaurant or commissary kitchen experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Cook alongside chefs, preparing fresh food from scratch daily.
• Follow recipes and maintain health standards in food prep.
• Assist with dishwashing and equipment cleaning as needed.

Skills

Strong knife skills

Team-oriented mindset

Organizational skills

Strong English communication skills

Ability to prepare large batches

General HACCP knowledge

Education

NYC Food Protection Certificate

NYC Food Handlers Certificate

Degree in Culinary Arts

Job description

Central Kitchen Cook - Counter Service

Location:

New York, NY 10011

Pay:

Starting at $18 - $25 per hour (commensurate with experience)

Job Type:

Full-time (Hourly, Shift-based)

Expected Hours:

36 - 40 per week

About Us

Counter Service is an innovative restaurant brand founded by Steve Ells, the visionary behind Chipotle, in collaboration with acclaimed Chef Andrew Black. After the success of our first location, we are expanding to three additional NYC restaurants, all serviced by our dynamic central kitchen.

We are passionate about high-quality food prep, a chef-driven menu, and running a fast-paced, multi-faceted kitchen focused on fresh, daily preparation.

We are seeking experienced and dedicated Cooks to join our growing central kitchen team. This role is essential to our mission of transforming quick-service dining through scratch-made, high-quality food.

What You'll Do

Cook alongside a team of passionate chefs, preparing fresh food from scratch daily

Execute daily food prep using classic cooking techniques

Follow metric-based recipes with precision using a digital scale

Maintain strict health and sanitation standards in all food prep and kitchen operations

Keep a clean, organized, and sanitary workstation

Receive, store, and organize supplier deliveries

Use kitchen technology systems to manage prep and receiving tasks

Assist with dishwashing and equipment cleaning as needed

What We're Looking For

Team-oriented mindset and positive attitude

1+ year of experience cooking from scratch in a restaurant kitchen

High-volume restaurant or commissary kitchen experience (preferred)

Strong knife skills and a solid understanding of cooking methods

Ability to prepare large batches efficiently, cleanly, and safely

Self-starter with strong organizational skills

Comfortable with a flexible schedule, including nights, weekends, and holidays

Physically capable of:

Lifting up to 50 lbs

Standing for 10+ hours

Performing frequent pushing, pulling, squatting, bending, and reaching

General HACCP knowledge

Strong English communication skills (oral & written)

Comfortable using restaurant technology systems

Required Certifications:

NYC Food Protection Certificate

NYC Food Handlers Certificate

Preferred Qualifications:

Degree in Culinary Arts

Food manufacturing experience

High-volume prep cook experience

Why Join Us?

Competitive pay with weekly paychecks

Health & dental insurance (eligibility after 90 days)

Paid time off

Free meals & drinks during shifts

Career growth opportunities – work under classically trained chefs in a high-caliber kitchen

Employee referral bonuses

Work Schedule & Locations

Shift Options:

First shift: Example: 6 AM - 4 PM

Second shift: Example: 10 AM - 8 PM

Locations:

54 West 14th Street, New York, NY 10011 (Primary)

15 East 4th Street, New York, NY 10003

315 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10010

Join Our Team!

If you're ready to be part of a chef-led, fast-growing restaurant brand dedicated to delicious, fresh food, apply today! After applying, you'll receive an email with next steps to schedule an interview.

Counter Service, a Kernel Foods Inc. brand, is an equal opportunity employer that values diversity and inclusivity.