Culinary Associate III

The Wonderful Company•Shafter, CA

4d•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 role combines back-of-house cooking with front-of-house customer service and order fulfillment, ensuring high-quality food preparation and presentation alongside a positive customer experience in a fast-paced environment. The typical schedule is Monday through Friday, 9:30 AM–5:30 PM. Flexibility is required to accommodate business needs and scheduling coverage. The position prepares food to order, maintains kitchen stations, supports Grab & Go offerings, fulfills customer orders, assists with inventory and deliveries, and helps maintain food safety, sanitation, and workplace safety standards. The role also supports additional duties assigned by Culinary Leads and Supervisors. The Wonderful Company describes itself as a privately held global company with more than 10,000 employees. Its listed benefits include medical, vision, and dental coverage; a 401(k) with match eligibility; wellness and mental health resources; learning and development; mentorship; career advancement; and community-giving opportunities.

Requirements

At least 4 years of restaurant experience, including cooking on the line.
Valid Food Handler Card or ServSafe certification, or ability to obtain one 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, and 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, 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.
Positive, team-oriented attitude and willingness to support both front- and back-of-house needs.
Strong work ethic and reliability, consistency, and a positive, can-do attitude.

Responsibilities

Prepare and cook menu items to order, maintaining quality, consistency, and timely service.
Operate kitchen equipment and cooking stations, including grill, sauté, and oven, safely and effectively.
Set up and maintain line stations with prepared ingredients, supplies, and equipment.
Follow recipes, portioning, and presentation standards, and check food quality, taste, temperature, portion size, and appearance before service.
Prepare, label, rotate, and stock Grab & Go items.
Fulfill customer orders promptly and accurately.
Greet customers positively, create a welcoming environment, and answer questions about menu items, specials, and modifications.
Monitor inventory and communicate shortages or needs to leadership.
Assist with receiving, storing, rotating, and restocking food and supply deliveries to maintain freshness.
Maintain cleanliness and organization of line stations, 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.
Perform tasks assigned by Culinary Leads and Supervisors to support restaurant operations.

Benefits

Medical coverage
Vision and dental plans
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
Wonderful Giving company-provided funds for charitable contributions
Wonderful Neighbor group service projects