ABOUT US
Rethink Food is a chef-led nonprofit partnering with restaurants to better feed communities.
Through strong partnerships with local restaurants and community-based organizations, we work with a responsive, hyperlocal network that provides culturally celebrated, nutritious meals. Since 2017, we've served over 30 million meals and reinvested more than $142 million into local economies.
Our work falls into three core areas:
- Building the Network: We connect restaurants, community-based organizations, and food donors to deliver meals where they’re needed most.
- Setting the Example: Through our Sustainable Community Kitchen, we demonstrate what dignified, community-centered food access can look like.
- Advocating for Change: We champion policy and systems change to create a more sustainable, equitable food future for all.
ROLE SUMMARY
The Lead Line Cook will support the work of the Sustainable Community Kitchen that includes meal production, inventory of goods and other supplies, and volunteer tours of the commissary.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Works in conjunction with the Chef to plan and monitor daily production assignments.
- Maintains prep station, and follows standard operating procedures and safety guidelines of Commissary Kitchen in all shared spaces.
- Prepares and produces dishes during shift per the direction of the Chef; uses safe and sanitary food handling practices.
- Upholds the highest culinary standards including but not limited to: proper knife skills, ability to operate kitchen equipment, savory and baking skills and techniques.
- Assists with inventory management, food receiving and sorting of food deliveries: follows DOH and Commissary Kitchen guidelines of food labeling procedures when receiving food product to ensure quality, freshness and consistently.
- Collects ingredients and appropriate kitchen supplies required for item preparation. Respects shared kitchen spaces (ie. prep stations, freezer, etc) and team members .
- Communicates promptly with the Chef if and when problems arise so they can be resolved in a timely and appropriate manner.
- Responsibly follows protocol with handling facilities equipment; including but not limited to appliances, cooking equipment, freight elevator, etc.
- Works as part of a team, be helpful and considerate to others both in and out of the kitchen
- Supports kitchen wide inventory processes throughout the operations department; communicates with Transportation team on inventory levels, distribution and management
- Participate in content capture to amplify work of the Sustainable Community Kitchen
- Participate in external activations and special events/projects.
- Participate in onboarding new team members
- Performs other related duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS
- NYC Food Handlers Certificate and ServSafe or obtain within the first 30 days of employment
- Minimum 1 year experience in medium to high volume kitchen required
- Professional, reliable, enthusiastic
- Catering and event experience a plus
- Have a good attitude and willing to take instructions and work well with others
- Have a passion for cooking, understand product utilization, food quality and seasonal ingredients
- The ability to multitask and work in a fast paced, high pressured environment
- Self motivated individual who takes initiative, and is always looking to grow and learn
- Must embrace the mission and core values of Rethink Food
- Must be able to stand, bend, stretch, lift and carry heavy materials up to 50 lbs
WHAT YOU BRING TO THE TABLE: Commitment to embodying our values of -
Inventiveness: At our core, we are relentlessly curious about solving problems. As our name suggests, we’re a team of creative thinkers, but we’re also hands-on doers, challenging norms with humility to find practical solutions that can create lasting change.
Vulnerability: Guided by an “always be better” mindset, we are a team that intentionally reflects on what we are doing well and where we need to improve. We hold ourselves and each other accountable, every day. No blame, no shame — we just want to be sure we’re always doing the right thing.
Thoughtfulness: Our vision for a nourished and thriving world starts with nourished and thriving individuals in each of our communities. Our work is centered on the needs of the people that bring our communities to life. We don’t pretend to have all of the answers. We are committed to listening and learning in order to identify and scale solutions that ensure stable and reliable access to healthy food for all so each and every community can thrive.
Kindness: At Rethink, we show up every day with empathy and compassion and believe everyone should be treated with dignity. Kindness goes a long way — we are all about just being kind.
COMPENSATION
The wage for this position is $23.76 per hour. We also offer a complete benefits package including medical, dental, vision, disability, life insurance, PTO, paid holidays, two weeks per year for an organization-wide office closure to recharge, a retirement plan, and free nutritious lunch at our Sustainable Community Kitchen.
EEO STATEMENT
Rethink Food is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, gender (including gender identity or expression), pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, sexual orientation, marital status, domestic violence, sexual violence or stalking victim status, ancestry, national origin, alienage or citizenship, age, disability, military or veteran status, genetic information or predisposing genetic characteristic, or other protected status. The organization is an Equal Opportunity Employer, drug-free workplace, and complies with ADA regulations as applicable.
