Culinary Associate III

Thewonderfulcompany; Bakersfield (CA); On-site; USD 29,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

Vision and dental plans

401k with match

Career advancement opportunities

Learning and development

Job summary

Wonderful La Cocina Restaurant is seeking an experienced line cook with at least 4 years in a fast-paced kitchen. You will prepare and cook menu items to order, ensuring safety and quality, while maintaining clean stations and accurate portioning.

The role also involves engaging with customers, supporting Grab & Go, and contributing to a positive dining experience. Applicants should hold a Food Handler Card or ServSafe certification (or obtain within 60 days) and be adept at working safely with

Qualifications

• 4+ years of restaurant experience, including cooking on the line.
• Valid Food Handler Card or ServSafe certification required or ability to obtain within 60 days.
• Understanding of cooking methods, ingredients, and food prep techniques.
• Knowledge of restaurant best practices and cooking methods.
• Experience in both customer service and food preparation.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and cook menu items to order with quality and consistency.
• Operate kitchen equipment safely (grill, sauté, oven, etc.).
• Set up and maintain line stations with ingredients, supplies and equipment.
• Follow recipes, portioning, and presentation standards.
• Monitor food quality, taste, and appearance before service.
• Support Grab & Go prep, labeling, rotation, and stocking.
• Fulfill customer orders promptly and accurately.
• Greet customers with a friendly, positive attitude.

Skills

Food prep

Customer service

Teamwork

Safety compliance

Job description

Cooking & Food Preparation

Prepare and cook menu items to order, ensuring quality, consistency, and timely service.

Operate kitchen equipment and cooking stations (grill, sauté, oven, etc.) safely and effectively.

Set up and maintain line stations with prepared ingredients, supplies, and equipment.

Follow recipes, portioning, and presentation standards to uphold menu consistency.

Monitor food quality, taste, and appearance before service.

Ensure all dishes meet the company's high standards for taste, temperature, portion size, and presentation.

Support Grab & Go preparation, labeling, rotation, and stocking.

Customer Service & Order Fulfillment

Fulfill customer orders promptly and accurately.

Greet customers with a friendly, enthusiastic, and positive attitude-always with a smile-creating a welcoming environment that encourages repeat visits.

Communicate and engage with customers to answer questions about menu items, specials, or modifications.

Organization & Inventory

Monitor inventory levels and communicate shortages or needs to leadership.

Assist with receiving, storing, and rotating food and supply deliveries.

Assist with monitoring inventory levels, restocking supplies, and rotating stock to ensure freshness.

Maintain cleanliness and organization of the line, workstations, and FOH/BOH shared areas.

Teamwork & Compliance

Work cooperatively with team members, anticipating needs to ensure smooth operations.

Support additional back-of-house duties as needed, including food prep and workstation setup.

Ensure compliance with food safety, sanitation, and workplace safety standards.

Support tasks assigned by Culinary Leads and Supervisors to successfully operate Wonderful La Cocina Restaurant.

Requirements

• Minimum of 4+ years of restaurant experience, including cooking on the line
• Valid Food Handler Card or ServSafe certification required, or ability to obtain within the first 60 days of employment
• Demonstrated understanding of cooking methods, ingredients, and food preparation techniques
• In-depth knowledge of restaurant best practices and cooking methods
• Prior experience in both customer service and food preparation required
• Exceptional customer service and teamwork skills required
• Ability to operate heavy kitchen equipment safely and effectively
• Ability to stand for extended periods, bend, lift, and carry up to 50 lbs.
• Ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced environment and remain proactive and productive during slower periods
• Ability to multitask, prioritize, and manage time efficiently in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment
• Flexibility to adapt to changing tasks and priorities
• Customer service mindset with excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Organizational skills to manage work area and maintain station readiness
• Proficiency with kitchen equipment, food safety, and sanitation standards
• Positive, team-oriented attitude with willingness to support both FOH and BOH needs
• Ability to adapt quickly to changing demands and remain calm under pressure
• Strong work ethic and reliability
• Reliability, consistency, and a positive, can-do attitude

Pay Range

Pay Range: $21.00 - $23.00 an hour. Final compensation will be dependent upon skills & experience.

Thriving Wellness Community

Access to top-notch medical coverage comprehensive vision and dental plans, and a 401k with match eligibility to secure your financial future and including: 24/7 online physician consultations

virtual mental health resources

life coaching

engaging employee community groups

cash rewards for healthy habits and fitness reimbursements

library of on-demand fitness videos

Career Advancement Opportunities

Unlock your potential with clear paths for career progression and internal mobility across our diverse family of brands and business units.

Focused Learning and Development

Grow as a leader with our dedicated Learning and Organizational Development department, offering extensive resources like People Manager and leadership training, webinars, and eLearning courses.

Empowering Mentorship Program

Connect with colleagues through our company-wide mentorship program to share goals, overcome challenges, and drive your career forward.

Continuous Improvement Training

Participate in training that empowers all employees to learn and implement concepts that drive significant, positive change in the workplace.

Building a Healthy Society

To date, our co-Founders Lynda and Stewart Resnick, through their foundations and The Wonderful Company, have invested more than $2.5 billion in education, health and wellness, community development, and sustainability initiatives across California's Central Valley, Fiji, and the world. In 2025, Wonderful ranked as #1 in PEOPLE's "100 Companies That Care" list and was named one of Fortune magazine's 100 Best Companies to Work For. To learn more about our corporate social responsibility efforts, visit csr.wonderful.com .

Giving Back to the Community

Make a difference with Wonderful Giving , allowing you to allocate compan