Line Cook I | Marcus Whitman Hotel

Columbia Hospitality; Walla Walla (WA); On-site; USD 44,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hourly pay range

Tip pooling

Paid time off

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401K

HSA/FSA

Discounted lodging

Dining discounts

Employee assistance

Volunteer opportunities

Learning platform

Job summary

Columbia Hospitality is seeking a Cook I in Walla Walla to prepare menu items per recipes, lead line cooks during service, and maintain sanitary, well‑stocked kitchens. You’ll open and close kitchen procedures and adapt to guest needs in a timely manner at The Marcus Whitman Hotel.

Ideal candidates have 5+ years in culinary roles, knowledge of sauces and knife skills, and proper food handling certifications.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5+ years in the culinary field.
• Ability to cook proteins to pre-determined temperatures.
• Ability to direct a banquet up to 100 with a small team.
• State Food Handler’s License(s).
• Read and present information clearly to teammates.

Responsibilities

• Prepares menu items according to recipes and guest specs.
• Cooks proteins to set temperatures with consistency.
• Leads small culinary teams for banquet and daily prep.
• Follows local and state food handling and storage rules.
• Conducts inventory and communicates replenishment needs to Chefs.

Skills

5+ years experience

cook proteins to temps

banquet leadership

knife skills

state food handler license

Tools

Slicer

Robo-Coup

Hobart mixers

Convection ovens

Job description

Create menu magic and make hungry people happy. Showcase your skills by preparing new menu items and daily preparation requirements, providing guidance to line cooks, conducting inventories, and ensuring sanitary and well‑maintained food preparation areas, as well as safe food handling. Cook I is responsible for opening and closing kitchen procedures with the ability to accommodate customer needs in a timely manner.

Let’s start off with the most important part - what’s in it for you:

The Perks

• Eligibility of perks is dependent upon job status
• Hourly Pay Range: $21 to $23 DOE
• Tip/Tip Pooling Eligible
• Get Paid Daily (Make any day payday)
• Paid Time off & Holiday Pay (Because Balance Matters)
• Benefits - Medical, Dental, Vision, Disability, 401K
• HSA/FSA Plans -with employer contribution
• Values Based Culture (#OMGLIFE)
• Culture Add (Creating Space for Fresh Perspectives)
• Referral Bonus (Get Paid to Recruit)
• Discounted Lodging, Dining, Spa, Golf, and Retail (Yes, Discounted Travel!)
• Employee Assistance Program
• “Columbia Cares” Volunteer Opportunities
• Committee Participation Opportunities (Fun, Philanthropic, Diversity/Equity/Inclusion)
• Task Force Work Opportunities (Grow your career in idyllic locations across the globe)
• Online Learning Platform to Help You Grow!
• Third Party Perks (Including discounts on Pet Insurance, Rental Cars, Movie and Concert Tickets, Theme Park and Attractions & so much more)

Our Commitment to you:

“People never forget how you made them feel.” Maya Angelou’s famous statement serves as a rallying cry throughout Columbia Hospitality and fuels our collective drive - and success.

Our people are our purpose, and our brand is our people. We seek extraordinary individuals who drive our brand promise of Creating Exceptional Experiences. We are a people-first organization, ignited from the inside to succeed on the outside. We are a tight-knit, inclusive, values‑driven team and we trust one another to have each other’s backs. We show up every day with open hearts, an inclusive mindset, and genuine respect for those around us. We have fun, grow together, and strive to leave a positive lasting impression on everyone we meet.

What Success Looks Like:

Your Impact

• Prepares menu items according to recipes, presentation standards, and guest specifications.
• Cooks proteins to pre-determined temperatures and ensures quality and consistency of dishes.
• Leads small culinary teams in banquet execution and daily preparation needs.
• Follows proper food handling and storage practices in accordance with local and state regulations.
• Conducts inventory, monitors product levels, and communicates replenishment needs to the Chef team.
• Ensures sanitary and well‑maintained food preparation areas and kitchen equipment.
• Operates and maintains specialized kitchen equipment including slicers, Robo-Coup, Hobart mixers, and convection ovens.
• Demonstrates mastery of knife skills and proper butchering techniques.
• Adjusts preparations for flavor and presentation while accommodating guest needs in a timely manner.
• Provides direction and guidance to line cooks during service to ensure smooth kitchen operations.
• Attends all scheduled meetings and training sessions.
• Other tasks as assigned based on business needs and levels.
• Performs other related duties and special projects as assigned by management to support departmental and organizational goals.

What You Bring

• 5+ years industry experience
• Able to cook proteins to pre-determined temperatures
• Ability to cook and direct a banquet up to 100 with a help of a small team
• Necessary State Food Handler’s License(s)
• Ability to read and comprehend simple instruction, short correspondence, and memos. Ability to effectively present information in one on one and small group situations to other employees of the organization
• Working knowledge of all mother and minor sauces
• Working knowledge of proper butchering techniques
• Knowledge of specialized equipment: Mastering of slicer, Robo-coup, Hobart, convection ovens
• Must possess knife skills, the ability to adjust preparations for flavor, and accommodate customer’s needs in a timely manner

Don’t meet every single requirement? At Columbia Hospitality we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyways. You may just be the right candidate for this or other roles.

Where you’ll work:

The Historic Frontrunner in Walla Walla Hotels. Whether you’re heading to an important meeting in our high-tech conference facilities or playing weekend warrior in the surrounding mountain‑and‑valley paradise, The Marcus Whitman Hotel is your Walla Walla destination hotel for business proficiency and stunning natural beauty—with generous amounts of historic style, comfort and friendliness to boot.

The Fine Print

Columbia Hospitality, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer committed to an inclusive environment without regard to age, race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, disability, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law. We strive for excellence in every position within the company and select the most qualified people who embrace our service philosophy and these values.

Accountability | Creativity | Enthusiasm | Honesty | Inclusion | Respect

Columbia Hospitality is a national management and consulting company with more than 25 years of experience in creating hospitality solutions and delivering exceptional experiences. Our portfolio includes award‑winning hotels and resorts, premier residential communities, restaurants and bars, private and public golf clubs, conference centers, and distinctive venues. Columbia Hospitality has been consistently recognized as one of the Top Companies to Work for in Washington by Seattle Business Magazine and Puget Sound Business Journal for their commitment to creating a fun, dynamic and nurturing work environment for team members.