Line Cook

Sage Hospitality Group; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Paid time off

Tuition reimbursement

Employee discounts

Job summary

Hotel Zags, operated by Sage Hospitality Group in Portland, OR, is seeking a Line Cook to ensure quality service from the front line and maintain strict sanitation levels.

The role involves preparing food to recipe standards, checking items against cards, and supporting ongoing line setup and stock management to minimize waste. Strong knowledge of cooking and teamwork is essential.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of cooking techniques and kitchen practices to perform non-repetitive analytical work.
• Experience with maintaining sanitation levels and safe food handling.
• Ability to work with a team to execute recipes and service standards.

Responsibilities

• Check items against recipe cards and ensure timely, quality presentation.
• Monitor line setup for efficiency during meal periods and service.
• Maintain kitchen cleanliness and adhere to SOPs and food safety policies.
• Prepare food to recipe standards and correct portioning; start items planned for service.
• Rotate perishables, date containers, and manage stock to prevent waste.
• Assist in keeping buffet stocked and return unused items to proper storage.

Skills

Cooking knowledge

Sanitation standards

Team collaboration

Education

High school education or equivalent

Job description

At Sage Hospitality, how we work matters just as much as what we do. We are guided by a shared purpose to enrich lives, one experience at a time, and a vision to redefine how the world experiences hospitality.

At Hotel Zags, we embrace

• Zag When Others Zig - A creative, unconventional spirit that thrives on the unexpected
• Nature, Art & Play as Design Principles - Living walls, local art, and a gear shed that redefine the hotel stay
• Active Urban Oasis - Bikes, boards, cameras, and bocce in the heart of downtown Portland
• Retro-Modern Local Identity - 1960s geometric form meets Portland's contemporary creative culture
• Community Courtyard Living - Fire pits, games, s'mores happy hour — hospitality built around gathering
  
  
  

All associates play an essential role in creating welcoming, inclusive environments where kindness, hospitality, and excellence are felt by guests and teams alike. These brandings reflect the unique spirit of Hotel Zags and align with Sage Hospitality's commitment to genuine, meaningful connection.

Line Cook ensures proper service from the front line through quality control, training of line cooks and ensure proper sanitation levels.

• Check all items against the recipe cards, verify that use records are followed for all items served and that food is presented in an efficient, quality manner.
• Monitor the line set up prior to all meal functions to ensure maximum efficiency during meal periods.
• Monitor the equipment maintenance and kitchen "clean as you go" policy to ensure strict adherence.
• Prepare food of consistent quality following recipe cards and production and portion standards, per dupe from servers.
• Start food items that are prepared ahead of time, making sure not to prepare more than estimated needs.
• Date all food containers and rotate as per the SOP, making sure that all perishables are kept at proper temperatures.
• Check pars for shift use, determine necessary preparation, freezer pull and line set up.
• Note any out-of-stock items or possible shortages.
• Assist in keeping buffet stocked.
• Return all food items not used on next shift to designed storage areas, being sure to cover/date all perishables.
• Assist in setting up plans and actions to correct any food cost problems; control food waste, loss and usage per SOP.
  
  
  

Education/Formal Training

High school education or equivalent.

Experience

Experience required by position is from one to two full years of employment in a related position with this company or other organization(s).

Knowledge/Skills

• Knowledge of cooking and the practices and procedures of a kitchen in order to perform non-repetitive analytical work.
  
  
  

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an associate to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Lifting, pushing, pulling and carrying Position regularly involves lifting food cases and metros weighing up to 70 lbs. Items include food, small equipment -75% of the time.
• Periodic climbing required.
• Bending of the knees does become necessary when using the lower oven for cooking, 5-10 times a day.
• Mobility -full range of mobility and the ability to travel 30-50 feet on a regular basis throughout the day.
• Continuous standing -during preparation, during service hours or during expediting, usually all day.
• Must be able to hear equipment timers and communicate with other staff.
• Must be able to see that product is prepared appropriately. Lifting, pushing, pulling and carrying.
• Must be able to understand and follow verbal/written instructions and communicate both verbally and in writing.
  
  
  

Environment

Inside 95% of 8 hours. Going in the freezer temperatures can be -10 degrees. On the front line, temperatures can be over 100 degrees.

The Hotel Zags offers perks that are comparable to progressive employers.

• Medical, Vision, Dental and Retirement Benefits
• Paid sick time and eligibility to apply for Paid Leave Oregon
• Eligible to enroll in medical insurance with employer covering up to 70% of premiums with wellness credit
• Eligible to enroll in dental insurance with employer contribution towards premiums & vision insurance
• Eligible to participate in the Company’s 401(k) program with up to 4% employer match, meeting safe harbor requirements and no vesting period
• Eligible to enroll in Health Savings Accounts (HSA) with qualifying medical plans and receive up to $1000 company contribution
• Eligible to enroll in Health, Dependent and Commuter Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Company paid Basic Life and AD&D insurance coverage, with option to enroll in supplemental coverage
• Eligible to enroll for short-term and long-term disability insurance coverage
• Eligible to purchase Pet Insurance, Accidental Insurance, Critical Insurance and Hospital Indemnity Insurance
• WINFertility guidance for those enrolled in Sage medical plan
  
  

• Other Benefits
• All associates can enjoy our complimentary cafeteria
• $50 TriMet monthly subsidy - Our location is right next to the center of all four MAX lines and close to the Portland Streetcar, a prime location for driving, taking public transportation, biking, or even walking to work.
• Calm Health Application Subscription
• Employee assistance program
• Paid time off for vacation, sick time, and holidays
• Tuition Reimbursement of up to $2,000 per calendar year
• Great discounts on Hotels, Restaurants, and much more
• Eligible to participate in the Employee Referral Bonus Program. Up to $1,000 per referral
  

Bold. Bright. Caring. Energetic. Driven. Strategic. Daring. To deliver the type of outstanding experience we aim to provide our guests, we need remarkable individuals who are passionate and committed to making a difference. If this sounds like you, then explore the career positions at Sage Hospitality that await you.