Culinary Associate III

The Wonderful Company•Bakersfield, CA

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The Culinary Associate III supports kitchen operations and guest service at Wonderful La Cocina Restaurant in Shafter, California. The role combines back-of-house cooking and food preparation with front-of-house customer service and order fulfillment, ensuring high-quality food and a positive customer experience in a fast-paced environment. The typical schedule is Monday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; flexibility is required to accommodate business needs and scheduling coverage. The position prepares menu items to order, maintains cooking stations, and follows recipes and presentation standards. It also fulfills customer orders, engages with guests, assists with inventory and deliveries, maintains cleanliness, and follows food safety and workplace safety standards. The associate supports tasks 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, vision, and dental coverage, a 401(k) with match eligibility, wellness resources, career advancement opportunities, learning and development programs, mentorship, and opportunities to give back to the community. The hourly pay range is $21.00–$23.00, with final compensation dependent on skills and experience.

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.
Strong customer service, teamwork, communication, and interpersonal 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 productive during slower periods.
Ability to multitask, prioritize, and manage time efficiently in a team-oriented environment.
Flexibility to adapt to changing tasks and priorities and remain calm under pressure.
Organizational skills to manage the work area and maintain station readiness.
Proficiency with kitchen equipment, food safety, and sanitation standards.
Strong work ethic, reliability, consistency, and a positive, team-oriented attitude.

Responsibilities

Prepare and cook menu items to order while ensuring quality, consistency, and timely service.
Operate kitchen equipment and cooking stations safely and effectively.
Set up and maintain line stations with prepared ingredients, supplies, and equipment.
Follow recipes, portioning, and presentation standards; check dishes for taste, temperature, portion size, and appearance.
Prepare, label, rotate, and stock Grab & Go items.
Fulfill customer orders promptly and accurately.
Greet customers warmly and answer questions about menu items, specials, and modifications.
Monitor inventory and communicate shortages or needs to leadership.
Assist with receiving, storing, restocking, and rotating food and supply deliveries.
Maintain cleanliness and organization in line stations, workstations, and shared front- and back-of-house areas.
Work cooperatively with team members and anticipate operational needs.
Support other back-of-house duties, including food preparation and workstation setup.
Follow 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 and internal mobility opportunities
Learning and development resources, including leadership training, webinars, and eLearning courses
Company-wide mentorship program
Continuous improvement training
Company-provided funds for charitable giving
Opportunities to participate in community service projects