Prep Cook

Glenstone Museum; Potomac (MD); On-site; USD 30,000 - 33,000; Full time

Job summary

Glenstone Museum in Potomac, MD is seeking a Prep Cook to join the Café kitchen team. Under the Chef's supervision, you will prep mise en place, assist with cooking and plating, and help keep the kitchen organized and sanitary.

This full-time role supports lunch service Wednesday through Sunday, with a 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM schedule and a wage of $22–$24 per hour. It requires teamwork, reliability, strong food-safety practices, and a welcoming hospitality mindset.

Qualifications

• Min. 2 years in a full-service, from-scratch kitchen (line cook / prep cook).
• Attention to detail and cleanliness.
• Reliability and punctuality.
• Ability to stand for long periods of time.
• Must work full-time Wednesday to Sunday.
• Evening availability for events or extended hours.
• SERV Safe certification required.
• Able to lift up to 50 lbs.
• Reliable transportation to Potomac, MD and a valid driver's license.
• COVID-19 vaccination up to date.

Responsibilities

• Follows recipes, procedures and presentation standards consistently.
• Ensuring proper food safety, sanitation standards are met consistently.
• Receiving, loading and unloading deliveries.
• Stocking the line with items needed to complete orders on time.
• Check and log the quality and freshness of ingredients.
• Maintain a clean and safe work area, including utensils, equipment and dishes.
• Handle and store ingredients and food.
• Operate kitchen equipment such as broilers, ovens, grills and fryers.
• Fill in for Line Cook when necessary.
• Present, garnish and arrange final dishes.
• Occasionally serve food.
• Maintain and adhere to 5S visual quality control in kitchen and storage spaces.
• Execute opening and closing procedures.
• Uphold HACCP guidelines and standards.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Skills

Kitchen experience

Attention to detail

Reliability & punctuality

Stamina standing/walking

Wed-Sun schedule

Evening availability

SERV Safe certification

Lift 50 lbs

Driver's license

Vaccination

Job description

Position

Prep Cook

Reports To

Chef

Schedule

Wednesday - Sunday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Wage

$22 - $24 per hour

An Introduction to Glenstone Museum

Founded with the mission to seamlessly integrate art, architecture, and nature, Glenstone is a world-class contemporary art museum in Potomac, Maryland. Opened in 2006 and expanded in 2018, the museum welcomes visitors to a unique experience of indoor and outdoor spaces enveloped by 300 acres of organically maintained meadow and woodlands. Admission is always free.

The work culture at Glenstone is dynamic and team oriented. As a mission-driven nonprofit, we are proud to foster a workplace where associates feel valued, respected, and accepted. We leverage our collaborative and enriching culture to provide abundant opportunities for all associates to develop new skills, feel connected to our mission, and actively participate in advancing their careers.

Glenstone is open Thursday – Sunday 10 AM to 5 PM. The museum offers visitors two dining venues, the Café and the Patio, which feature seasonal menu items made from locally sourced ingredients. The Café is a sit-down restaurant, and the patio is an upscale coffee house.

Position Overview

As a member of the Café, the position is part of a team committed to delivering a high-quality experience by facilitating meaningful engagements for all Glenstone visitors. Under the direction of the Chef, the Prep Cook is responsible for hands-on food preparation in the kitchen of the museum Café to help ensure the menu recipes are executed consistently and of the highest quality. The cuisine at the Café and Patio is inspired by the visitor experience we offer; unhurried, simple yet elegant, designed to nourish as well as delight the palate.

The Prep Cook will contribute by setting up the kitchen at the start of everyday, receiving and unloading deliveries, preparing mis en place (e.g. chopping vegetables, breaking down meat and poultry, preparing sauces) for multiple stations prior to service, helping with cooking and plating menu items during service, breaking down and cleaning the kitchen at the end of each day, and preparing for the next service.

The cuisine at Glenstone is aligned with the Visitor Experience; unhurried, simple yet elegant, designed to nourish as well as delight the palate, and enhance the opportunity to repast and reflect. Art is essential at Glenstone, and this extends to culinary artistry. The menu will feature locally sourced, sensibly raised ingredients.

This is a full-time position supporting the Café and Patio operations, focusing primarily on lunch service for visitors.

Desired Attributes & Characteristics

The ideal candidate is committed to quality service and exceeding customer expectations. Excellent communications skills to actively listen and is open to receiving feedback which will support their ability to work with the Chef and their team successfully. Strong intercultural competence and enthusiasm for engaging with diverse associates and visitors alike. The ability to work as part of a team while at the same time take initiative to support the overall goals of the department and organization.

Key Responsibilities

• Follows recipes, procedures and presentation standards consistently.
• Ensuring proper food safety, sanitation standards are met consistently.
• Receiving, loading and unloading deliveries.
• Stocking the line with items needed to complete orders on time.
• Check and log the quality and freshness of ingredients.
• Maintain a clean and safe work area, including utensils, equipment and dishes.
• Handle and store ingredients and food.
• Operate kitchen equipment such as broilers, ovens, grills and fryers.
• Fill in for Line Cook when necessary.
• Present, garnish and arrange final dishes.
• Occasionally serve food.
• Maintaining and adhering to 5S visual quality control process in the kitchen and storage spaces.
• Execute opening and closing procedures.
• Uphold culinary standards and regulations, including adherence to established Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) guidelines.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Required Skills & Experience

• Min. 2 year experience in a full service, "from-scratch" kitchen, including experience as a line cook, restaurant cook, or prep cook.
• Attention to detail and cleanliness.
• High level of reliability and punctuality.
• Ability to walk long distances and stand for long periods of time.
• Ability to work full-time Wednesday to Sunday.
• Availability to work during evening hours to support events or extended hours.
• Adaptability to work in a fluid, dynamic work environment, including scheduled meal and break times.
• Current SERV Safe certification and ability to maintain certification standards (Glenstone will provide ongoing training and certification).
• Able to bend, stoop and lift up to 50 lbs.
• Reliable transportation to Potomac, MD and a valid driver’s license.
• COVID-19 vaccination and up to date on all boosters.

Preferred Qualifications

• Alcohol awareness training.

Salary and Benefits

Associates are crucial to achieving Glenstone’s mission and we offer a competitive salary commensurate with experience. We also provide a total benefits package that helps you manage your health, protect your income, and prepare for your future. To promote collaboration and show appreciation to associates, Glenstone provides a weekly staff lunch, and volunteer opportunities.

Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance; life, long-term and short-term disability and AD&D insurance, a Flexible Spending Account (FSA); a 401(k) retirement account with a matching contribution; an Employee Assistance Program (EAP); and tuition reimbursement.

We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.