Line Cook & Mentor – Part-Time

SoLa Impact, LLC; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 30,307 - 34,440; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid vacation

Medical, dental, vision

Life insurance

Sick leave

10 paid holidays

Bereavement days

Pet insurance

Job summary

The SoLa Foundation is seeking a Line Cook to support its 60th Street Café and social enterprise mission in Los Angeles. You will prepare foods to spec, assist with catering, and help run daily kitchen operations while mentoring culinary workforce development participants.

Ideal candidates bring 2+ years in a kitchen, ServSafe certification, and a commitment to quality, teamwork, and community impact. Up to 26 hours per week, $22–$25 hourly.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent preferred.
• Minimum of two years in a commercial kitchen, cafe, catering, or hospitality.
• Experience working with students, interns, or trainees is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Prepare menu items according to recipes, portions, and presentation standards.
• Maintain FIFO, labeling, storage, and quality for café and catering.
• Assist with daily food prep, batch cooking, and event production.
• Support opening/closing kitchen duties and collaborating with staff.
• Train and mentor culinary students under supervision.

Skills

Culinary fundamentals

Recipe following

Food safety

Teamwork

Time management

Attention to detail

Mentoring others

Flexibility

Customer service

Cleanliness

Education

High school diploma

2+ years kitchen experience

ServSafe Food Handler

California Food Handler Card

Job description

JOB SUMMARY

The SoLa Foundation is committed to ending intergenerational poverty by creating access to education, workforce development, and entrepreneurship opportunities for underinvested communities.

The Line Cook plays a vital role in the daily operations of the 60th Street Café by preparing high-quality food while supporting an exceptional guest experience and serving as a positive role model for culinary workforce development participants. This position helps ensure consistent food quality, kitchen efficiency, sanitation, and operational excellence while contributing to the café's mission as both a social enterprise and a hands-on training site.

Working closely with the GM, Culinary & Café and Chef in Residence, the Line Cook assists with daily food production, catering preparation, kitchen organization, and student training. The ideal candidate is dependable, team-oriented, passionate about food, and committed to maintaining high culinary standards while supporting workforce development and community impact.

Pay Range: $22 - $25

UP TO 26 HOURS PER WEEK; M-F

Food Preparation & Production

• Prepare menu items according to standardized recipes, portion specifications, and presentation standards.
• Ensure consistent food quality, taste, and presentation for café and catering operations.
• Assist with daily food prep, batch cooking, and production for café service and special events.
• Maintain proper food rotation (FIFO), labeling, and storage procedures.
• Assist with opening and closing kitchen duties.
• Communicate product shortages, equipment issues, or food quality concerns promptly to management.

Café Operations

• Support efficient back-of-house operations during café service.
• Maintain organized, clean, and fully stocked workstations throughout each shift.
• Work collaboratively with front-of-house staff to ensure timely, accurate service and an exceptional guest experience.
• Assist with stocking, replenishing, dishwashing, cleaning, and general café operations as needed.
• Support café operations in all areas as business needs require, including catering, events, food service, and other operational responsibilities.
• Maintain flexibility to assist in any area of café operations to ensure operational efficiency and outstanding customer service.

Workforce Development Support

• Serve as a positive role model for culinary students participating in hands-on workforce training.
• Demonstrate proper food preparation techniques, kitchen organization, sanitation practices, and professionalism.
• Assist in training students on recipes, equipment operation, food safety, and industry best practices under the direction of leadership.
• Foster a welcoming, respectful, inclusive, and team-oriented learning environment.
• Model professionalism, accountability, teamwork, and hospitality standards at all times.

Catering & Special Events

• Assist with food preparation for internal and external catering events.
• Help package, transport, set up, serve, and break down catering functions as assigned.
• Maintain exceptional food quality and presentation for all catered events.
• Adapt to changing event needs while maintaining efficiency and professionalism.

Food Safety & Sanitation

• Maintain compliance with all local, state, and federal food safety regulations.
• Follow ServSafe standards and safe food handling procedures.
• Ensure kitchen equipment, utensils, workstations, and storage areas remain clean and sanitized.
• Complete assigned cleaning schedules and sanitation responsibilities.
• Report maintenance, equipment, or safety concerns immediately.

Inventory & Kitchen Organization

• Assist with receiving, stocking, organizing, and storing deliveries.
• Help monitor inventory levels and communicate replenishment needs.
• Minimize food waste through proper handling, storage, and portion control.
• Maintain organized refrigerators, freezers, dry storage, and prep areas.

Teamwork & Professionalism

• Support the mission of the SoLa Foundation by creating a welcoming, inclusive, and professional environment for students, guests, staff, and community members.
• Demonstrate reliability, punctuality, accountability, and a strong work ethic.
• Communicate effectively and work collaboratively with management, coworkers, students, volunteers, vendors, and partners.
• Participate in staff meetings, trainings, and community events as assigned.
• Perform other duties as assigned in support of café, catering, and workforce development operations.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• High school diploma or equivalent preferred.
• Minimum of two (2) years of experience in a commercial kitchen, restaurant, café, catering, or hospitality environment.
• Experience in high-volume food production preferred.
• Experience working alongside students, interns, or trainees is a plus.
• Current California Food Handler Card required.
• ServSafe Food Handler or ServSafe Manager Certification preferred or ability to obtain upon hire.

SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Strong knowledge of culinary fundamentals and food preparation techniques.
• Ability to follow recipes, production schedules, and quality standards consistently.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to food quality.
• Ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced, customer-focused environment.
• Excellent teamwork, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Strong organizational, multitasking, and time management abilities.
• Commitment to cleanliness, food safety, and operational excellence.
• Passion for mentoring others and supporting workforce development initiatives.
• Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and special events as needed.
• Commitment to the mission and values of the SoLa Foundation.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Regularly required to stand, walk, bend, reach, lift, carry, push, and pull throughout the workday.
• Frequently required to lift and move up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to work for extended periods in a commercial kitchen environment with exposure to heat, cold, steam, and commercial kitchen equipment.
• Manual dexterity sufficient to safely operate commercial kitchen equipment.
• Occasionally required to travel between SoLa Foundation locations and off-site catering or community events

SoLa Impact offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes paid vacation, medical, dental, vision, and life insurance, as well as pet insurance, sick leave, 10 paid holidays, and bereavement days. This package is designed to provide employees with a range of important benefits that help to support their physical and emotional well-being, while also providing financial protection and peace of mind.

At SoLa Impact, we believe the work environment, culture, and the opportunity to learn and grow are key elements when considering a new job. We are just the right size to provide the resources and support you need without the bureaucracy of a large corporate environment. We foster a family-friendly and supportive workplace, collaborative and employee-focused with an emphasis on quality, integrity, trust, and accountability. We are looking to bring someone on board as soon as possible. We provide a rewarding and challenging environment. We expect a lot, but give a lot in return. Strongly prefer candidates local to Los Angeles as no relocation assistance will be provided. All qualified candidates will be contacted directly.

SoLa Impact is an Equal Opportunity Employer. SoLa does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.

Disclaimer:

SoLa Impact conducts thorough background checks, including education and employment verification, following an offer letter extension. We are committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity throughout our hiring process. Candidates are advised to ensure all information provided in their resume and application is true and accurate. Any discrepancies may affect your eligibility for employment.