Chef / Experienced Line Cook

NOTE TO APPLICANTS: We are looking for someone who is PASSIONATE about food and cooking. We are looking for someone to GROW with us. We are looking for a ROCKSTAR who can mentor junior cooks who also work with us. If you are all these things, please be in touch.

Company Description

Wise Bird Cider launched its restaurant, Little Fork, in June of 2022. Little Fork adds an important dimension to the cider experience by serving dishes that focus on fresh, local ingredients and creating a fun, cider-driven culinary experience for our customers. Little fork is a mobile food trailer and inside prep kitchen that plays on the name of our former neighbor, Middle Fork Kitchen and Bar, and pays homage to their idea of scratch-made fare along the bank of the middle fork of the Elkhorn River, also called the Town Branch, while providing an affordable and quality dining option that pairs with our ciders. Little Fork is permanently located on the patio of our Distillery District taproom.

A key part of our business, our Distillery District taproom is often the first place that people experience Wise Bird and our ciders. Because of this, we truly believe that the experience must be fantastic -- from the service they receive, to the ciders they drink, to the food they eat, to the space they drink it in. Little Fork seeks to elevate our customer’s experience by adding food options to the existing lineup of ciders, cocktails and local beer.

Wise Bird Cider is a small, family-run business committed to crafting small-batch traditional-style ciders made with a focus on tradition and quality from the best apples we can get our hands on. We believe that great apples make great ciders and we source as many apples as we can from Kentucky, but we also seek out harder to find, cider-specific apples from our neighbors in Virginia when we need to. We are committed to our community, to Lexington, and to Kentucky. We believe in staying as local as possible for as much as possible. We believe in being good people, hiring good people and that giving back to our community makes our world a better place.

Role Description

This is a full-time, on-site role located in Lexington, KY, for an experienced Chef / Line Cook.The Chef / Line Cook will execute lunch and dinner service, and prep for Little Fork. The Chef / Line Cook will be responsible for preparing and cooking all of the dishes on our menu in accordance with the recipes and standards set by the Kitchen Manager while maintaining a clean station and workspace. Proper sanitation protocols must be followed. Responsibilities also include opening and closing duties. The successful candidate has high expectations for food presentation and execution, is an excellent communicator, and has a track record of reliability and dependability.

DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

• Successfully prepare and cook all menu items during service.
• Executes menu to high quality standards.
• Able to perform under time restraints while keeping a positive attitude.
• Ensures the proper storage of foods in designated areas, following wrapping, dating and labeling procedures.
• Utilizes approved food production standards to maintain proper quality, serving temperatures and standard portion control.
• Responsible for maintaining a clean, organized, and sanitary kitchen at all times.
• Ensure compliance with local health department regulations at all times.
• Work in unison with the Kitchen Manager and front of house staff to ensure an exceptional customer service experience.
• Other Duties/Responsibilities as required.

SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Three years’ work experience as a line cook.
• Experience catering is a plus.
• Understanding of professional cooking and knife handling skills.
• Available to work any day of the week, including weekends and holidays.
• Preference for current understanding of cider and the different styles available on the market and how cider differs from wine and beer.
• Food Handler certified.
• Ability to work on your feet for extended periods of time.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
• Willingness to accomplish “What Is Required” on any given day and able to take direction from supervisors.
• Must be at least 21 years of age.
• Must have reliable transportation.
• Will be required to pass a background check.
• Job Types: Full-time, Part-time
• Pay: $16.00 - $22.00 per hour, DOE
• Expected hours: 20 – 40 per week