Line Chef

The Longboard; Charlotte Amalie (United States Virgin Islands); On-site; USD 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

The Longboard St. Thomas is seeking a seasoned Line Cook to own a station from setup to service, executing prep with precision and ensuring every dish meets exact recipe and presentation standards.

You will work in a high-energy, Caribbean-inspired kitchen, managing tickets during peak rushes, upholding strict food safety, and contributing to a vibrant hospitality culture on St. Thomas. This role requires strong fundamentals, reliability, and a team-focused mindset.

Qualifications

• Knife handling, food safety, and sanitation knowledge.
• High-volume kitchen experience required.
• Attention to detail in food quality, prep, and presentation.
• Strong communication across the line during busy service.
• Ability to stay efficient under pressure and adapt to changing priorities.

Responsibilities

• Execute menu specs with culinary pride, ensuring flavor, presentation, and consistency with chef standards.
• Maintain speed and precision without compromising quality, portions, or plate appeal.
• Own prep, mise en place, and station setup for seamless service.
• Perform daily station prep, chopping, sauces, and portioning proteins per specs.
• Collaborate with the executive kitchen team to pace tickets and manage line flow.

Skills

Knife handling

Food safety

High volume cooking

Attention to detail

Team communication

Adaptability

Job description

THE ATMOSPHERE

The Longboard St. Thomas is the third iteration of the concept originally opened on St. John in the US Virgin Islands in 2015. Like its flagship, the STT location offers innovative and refined seafood-forward island fare, and a lively bar program featuring Caribbean-inspired craft cocktails. The laid-back lifestyles of St. Thomas and St. John mesh perfectly to create a relaxed, coastal vibe in a vibrant setting.

THE IDEAL MATCH

We’re looking for an experienced, detail-oriented Line Cook who thrives in a high-volume, fast-paced kitchen. In this role, you’ll own your station from setup to service—executing prep lists with precision, maintaining a tight mise en place, and cooking orders accurately to hit exact recipe and presentation standards. Line cooks are responsible for managing ticket times during peak rushes, communicating clearly across the line, and adhering strictly to food safety and cleanliness
protocols. The ideal candidate possesses strong culinary fundamentals, excellent time management, and a commitment to consistent performance every shift.

BALANCED HOSPITALITY

The Longboard St. Thomas brings a fresh, vibrant take on coastal Caribbean dining—where tropical, casual vibes meet elevated experiences. Our restaurants are destinations that blend music, sunshine, island flavors, and top-tier hospitality into unforgettable moments. We’re laid-back but dialed-in. Professional but never stuffy. Every guest is welcomed like family— and we take that seriously.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Execute menu specs flawlessly with culinary pride, ensuring every dish leaving the line is flavorful, beautiful, and consistent with Chefs' exact standards.
• Move with speed and precision without ever compromising on quality, portioning, or plate appeal.
• Own your prep, mise en place, and station setup so your line is fully dialed and ready for seamless service execution.
• Complete daily station prep by executing prep lists, chopping vegetables, preparing sauces, and portioning proteins according to target specs.
• Work alongside the executive kitchen team in pacing tickets, orchestrating line flow, and keeping service running smoothly.
• Manage multiple tickets simultaneously and assist neighboring stations during peak rush.
• Assist with cleaning and stocking. Execute opening and closing sanitation checklists including deep cleaning equipment and proper breakdown of prep lines.
• Pitch in when delivery trucks arrive—unload, organize, and stock supplies where they need to go.
• Monitor food safety and cleanliness standards to ensure a safe, compliant kitchen.
• Run airtight operational systems to guarantee an immaculate, "A-Grade" health inspection environment.
• Set the tone for a collaborative environment with clear, open communication between all restaurant staff.
• Keep the Chef and Manager on Duty in the loop on all things kitchen related.
• Continuously take pride in what you do while remaining eager to expand your culinary techniques and growth alongside our team.
• Be a culture builder—bring positive energy, authenticity, reliability, and pride in how you show up every day.
  

ROLE REQUIREMENTS

• At least 1 year of related experience required.
• General knife handling, food safety & sanitation knowledge.
• High volume restaurant experience required.
• A passion for food, exceptional work ethics, and dedication.
• Attention to details of food quality, preparation, and presentation.
• Flexible and adaptive to rapidly changing priorities and work demands.
• Ability to stand/walk for extended periods of time.
• Able to take constructive criticism, learn quickly, demonstrate leadership, and constantly improve.
• Promote, work, and act in a manner consistent with the mission of Ballast Hospitality, always setting a professional example.

OUR DNA

At our core, we live by values that shape every interaction, decision, and experience. We offer competitive pay and a culture that values growth. From day one, we’re committed to your personal and professional development through hands-on experience, ongoing training, and clear opportunities to advance. At Ballast Hospitality, when you grow, we grow.

• Integrity is everything.Without it, nothing else matters. We lead with honesty, accountability, and trust. Alwaysdoing the right thing, even when no one’s watching.
• We invest in growth.Continuous training and development aren’t extras; they’re essential to our shared success.We see ongoing learning and development as an investment, not just in our team, but in our future.
• Creativity drives innovation. Innovation starts with imagination. We embrace fresh ideas and bold thinking to stayahead and stand out.
• Happy teams serve better. A happy, supported, and professional team creates the kind of guest experience thatsets us apart and empowers us to deliver exceptional experiences.
• We deliver legendary service. The kind of personalized care that turns moments into memories, experiencesguests can’t forget, and rave about long after they leave.
• Work hard, stay sharp, and have fun. We bring passion and professionalism to everything we do while keeping itlight, positive, and full of energy. Excellence and enjoyment go hand-in-hand.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER | COME AS YOU ARE

At The Longboard St. Thomas, we believe great hospitality starts with great people, and that means all people. We don’t care what you look like, where you’re from, who you love, or how you identify. If you have good energy and a passion for making people feel welcome, you’ve got a spot on our team. No judgment. No discrimination. Just good vibes and equal opportunity for all.

READY TO SET THE VIBE?

If you’re a passionate hospitality-driven leader with a creative eye and ready to help shape the experience at one of St. Thomas’s most exciting destinations— this is your moment.

Join Ballast Hospitality in creating standout dining experiences that celebrate sunshine, culture, and connection—one guest at a time. We look forward to meeting you!