Culinary Associate III

The Wonderful Company•Shafter, CA

5d•$21 - $23•Onsite

About The Position

The Wonderful Company is seeking a versatile and experienced Culinary Associate (Level 3) to support kitchen operations and guest service at La Cocina in Shafter, California. The position combines back-of-house cooking with front-of-house customer service and order fulfillment, helping ensure high-quality food preparation and presentation and a positive customer experience in a fast-paced environment. The typical schedule is Monday through Friday, 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM, with flexibility required to accommodate business needs and scheduling coverage. The role prepares and cooks menu items to order, operates kitchen equipment and cooking stations, maintains line stations, and follows recipes, portioning, and presentation standards. It also supports Grab & Go preparation and stocking, fulfills customer orders, assists guests with menu questions and modifications, monitors and rotates inventory, and maintains clean and organized shared work areas. The Culinary Associate works cooperatively with the team, supports additional back-of-house duties as needed, and follows food safety, sanitation, and workplace safety standards. Tasks may also be assigned by Culinary Leads and Supervisors. The Wonderful Company describes itself as a privately held global company with more than 10,000 employees. It offers medical, dental, and vision coverage, a 401(k) with match eligibility, wellness resources, career development and training opportunities, mentorship, and community-giving programs.

Requirements

At least 4 years of restaurant experience, including cooking on the line.
Valid Food Handler Card or ServSafe certification, or ability to obtain certification within the first 60 days of employment.
Demonstrated understanding of cooking methods, ingredients, and food preparation techniques.
In-depth knowledge of restaurant best practices and cooking methods.
Prior experience in both customer service and food preparation.
Exceptional customer service and teamwork skills.
Ability to operate heavy kitchen equipment safely and effectively.
Ability to stand for extended periods, bend, lift, and carry up to 50 pounds.
Ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced environment and remain proactive and productive during slower periods.
Ability to multitask, prioritize, and manage time efficiently in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment.
Flexibility to adapt to changing tasks, priorities, and demands.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with a customer-service mindset.
Organizational skills to manage the work area and maintain station readiness.
Proficiency with kitchen equipment, food safety, and sanitation standards.
Positive, team-oriented attitude and willingness to support both front- and back-of-house needs.
Ability to remain calm under pressure.
Strong work ethic, reliability, and consistency.

Responsibilities

Prepare and cook menu items to order, ensuring quality, consistency, and timely service.
Operate kitchen equipment and cooking stations, including grills, sauté stations, and ovens, safely and effectively.
Set up and maintain line stations with prepared ingredients, supplies, and equipment.
Follow recipes, portioning, and presentation standards to maintain menu consistency.
Monitor food quality, taste, and appearance before service and ensure dishes meet standards for taste, temperature, portion size, and presentation.
Support Grab & Go preparation, labeling, rotation, and stocking.
Fulfill customer orders promptly and accurately.
Greet customers warmly and create a welcoming environment that encourages repeat visits.
Answer customer questions about menu items, specials, and modifications.
Monitor inventory levels and communicate shortages or needs to leadership.
Assist with receiving, storing, and rotating food and supply deliveries.
Restock supplies and rotate stock to ensure freshness.
Maintain cleanliness and organization of the line, workstations, and shared front- and back-of-house areas.
Work cooperatively with team members and anticipate operational needs.
Support additional back-of-house duties, including food preparation and workstation setup.
Comply with food safety, sanitation, and workplace safety standards.
Complete tasks assigned by Culinary Leads and Supervisors to support restaurant operations.

Benefits

Medical coverage
Vision insurance
Dental insurance
401(k) with match eligibility
24/7 online physician consultations
Virtual mental health resources
Life coaching
Employee community groups
Cash rewards for healthy habits
Fitness reimbursements
On-demand fitness videos
Career advancement opportunities and internal mobility
Learning and development resources, including leadership training, webinars, and eLearning courses
Company-wide mentorship program
Continuous improvement training
Company-provided funds for charitable giving through Wonderful Giving
Opportunities to join community service projects through Wonderful Neighbor