About this role
The Kitchen Lead is responsible for the daily operation and organization of our kitchen and lunch program.
You'll make sure prep gets done, recipes are followed, food looks and tastes the way it should, inventory stays organized, and the kitchen is clean and ready for service.
This is a working lead position. We're looking for someone who leads by example, takes ownership of their space, and notices what needs to be done without waiting to be told.
You'll work closely with café and operations leadership to continue developing our food program, improve kitchen systems, and introduce seasonal menu items and specials.
What You'll Do
Lead daily kitchen prep and food production
Execute sandwiches, salads, wraps, sides, and other menu items consistently and efficiently
Maintain high standards for food quality, portioning, presentation, and recipe execution
Organize daily and weekly prep based on expected sales and inventory
Maintain a clean, organized, and service-ready kitchen
Follow and reinforce food safety, sanitation, labeling, storage, and temperature-control standards
Receive, organize, rotate, and properly store food deliveries
Perform inventory counts and help maintain appropriate par levels
Identify low-stock items and communicate ordering needs before they become problems
Monitor product rotation and waste using FIFO and established kitchen procedures
Help reduce unnecessary food waste while maintaining product availability
Train and support team members on recipes, prep procedures, equipment, food safety, and kitchen standards
Help maintain recipes, prep sheets, build guides, and other kitchen documentation
Provide feedback on kitchen workflow, equipment, ingredients, and procedures
Work with leadership on seasonal menu items, specials, and improvements to the food program
Keep equipment, work surfaces, storage areas, refrigeration, and the overall kitchen clean and properly maintained
Communicate problems early and help find practical solutions
You don't need to come from fine dining. You do need to know how a professional kitchen should operate.
Ideally, you have:
2+ years of kitchen, prep, café, deli, bakery, catering, or other food-service experience
Lead or supervisory experience preferred, but not required for the right candidate
Strong knowledge of basic food safety and sanitation
Solid knife skills and familiarity with standard commercial kitchen equipment
Experience with food prep, portioning, labeling, storage, and inventory rotation
The ability to follow recipes accurately and consistently
Strong organizational and time-management skills
The ability to prioritize when several things need attention at once
Good communication and follow-through
Comfort working independently without constant supervision
A willingness to clean, organize, and maintain the kitchen as part of the job, not as somebody else's responsibility
Most importantly, we're looking for someone who takes ownership.
If something is running low, you notice it. If a prep process isn't working, you say something. If the kitchen isn't ready for tomorrow, you don't simply leave it for tomorrow.
What Success Looks Like
A successful Kitchen Lead leaves the kitchen better than they found it.
Prep is completed before it's needed. Food is consistent. Recipes are followed. Refrigeration and storage are organized. Product is labeled and rotated. Waste is controlled. Equipment is cared for. Problems are communicated early.
The café team knows what to expect from the kitchen, and the kitchen is prepared for what the café needs.
Beyond daily execution, you'll help us continue building a food program that is organized, scalable, and distinctly Park Avenue Coffee.
The Opportunity
We're not trying to build a giant restaurant menu inside a coffee shop.
We're building a focused café food program centered around well-made sandwiches, salads, seasonal items, scratch-made components, and food that complements really good coffee.
There is room in this role for someone who enjoys improving things. If you like developing better prep systems, refining recipes, testing new menu ideas, organizing a kitchen, and figuring out how to make an operation run better, we want that input.
We're looking for someone who wants to help us build the program, not simply work a station.
Physical & Scheduling Requirements
This is an active kitchen position that requires standing for extended periods, repetitive food preparation, bending, reaching, and safely lifting and moving food, supplies, and kitchen equipment.
Availability for morning and daytime shifts is required. Some weekend or holiday availability may be necessary depending on café operations.
Park Avenue Coffee is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, age sex, religion, disability, sexual orientation, marital staus, veteran status, gender identity or expression, or any other basis protected by local, state or federal law.