Test Kitchen Assistant

📍 Location: On-Site at our Restaurant Support Center | Carlsbad, CA

⏰ Work Status: Part-Time/Hourly

At Luna Grill, we’re more than just fresh Mediterranean food—we’re a team of passionate people who care deeply about culture, collaboration, and growing together. We are proud Lunatics (and we mean that in the best way possible). Our commitment to excellence starts at our restaurants and continues at our Restaurant Support Center, where high standards and team spirit drive everything we do.

Are you passionate about cooking and innovation? 🍳

Our Test Kitchen Assistant role is hands-on, fast-paced, and a key part of Luna Grill’s culinary innovation team. Support our chefs and product development team by prepping ingredients, maintaining kitchen equipment, and keeping our test kitchen running smoothly.

This role is perfect for detail-oriented culinary enthusiasts who enjoy hands-on food prep and working in a fast-paced, creative environment.

• Competitive pay: $22.00 - $25.00/hr DOE
• Sick Leave & 401K
• A fun, team-focused culture where people truly come first

🍳 Kitchen Operations:

• Maintain a clean and sanitary workstation; perform opening and closing duties using the standard checklist.
• Prepare a variety of menu items including meats, seafood, poultry, vegetables, and other foods using kitchen equipment.
• Receive, date, log, and store all delivered R&D products.
• Manage supply orders, maintain stock levels, and ensure proper rotation of food and paper items.
• Perform routine maintenance of kitchen equipment and calibrate thermometers and other devices monthly.

🍴 Culinary Development Support:

• Assist in food preparation for Marketing or Training photoshoots.
• Support prep for Guest intercepts, including printing and setup.
• Help gather competitive shop insights from other restaurants and stores.
• Assist with ingredient testing, packaging, and execution of quarterly sampling programs.
• Maintain all food safety and Luna Grill standards.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Travel between RSC, restaurants, and retail outlets in San Diego County (5–10%).

• Minimum 3 years of kitchen experience, including line or prep cook roles.
• Strong knowledge of food safety and sanitation practices.
• Understanding portion sizes, cooking methods, quality standards, and kitchen policies.
• Ability to read and execute recipes, SOPs, and visual aids.
• Proficient in prep, cooking, and using kitchen equipment (knives, broilers, ovens, grills, fryers).
• Strong attention to detail, organization, and record-keeping skills.
• Ability to work independently and multitask under minimal supervision.
• Proficient in English; basic Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint skills preferred.
• Knowledge of inventory management and culinary techniques preferred.
• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Food Handlers License required.

• Frequent standing, walking, bending, twisting, reaching, and lifting 10–50 lbs.
• Works on-site in a kitchen environment (warm, moist, and odorous from cooking foods).
• Must comply with Luna Grill’s appearance and dress code standards.

Apply now and join a team where creativity, collaboration, and delicious food come together!

Luna Grill participates in E-Verify for all positions.

E-Verify is an internet-based system operated by the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA) that allows participating employers to electronically verify the eligibility of new employees to work in the United States. E-Verify checks information provided on an employee’s Form I-9 electronically against records contained in DHS and SSA databases. 

Luna Grill is an equal opportunity employer. We offer a welcoming and inclusive environment to our team members, job applicants, the guests we serve, and the communities we call home. Luna Grill also has a longstanding policy of providing a work environment that respects the dignity and worth of each individual and is free from all forms of discrimination, including harassment, because of race, color, sex, gender, age, religion or religious creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law