Line Cook

Line Cook & Counter Host – PRIMA Patí, Union Market

PRIMA Patí is an established Afro-Panamanian & Caribbean street food concept that started in Adams Morgan and now has a new home at Union Market. We’re a true scratch kitchen. Our dough, braises, and sauces are made in-house at our commercial kitchen, and our patties are hand-folded and cooked to order at the stall.

We’re not a “hot-hold” counter, and the kitchen isn’t tucked away in the back of house.  At a market stall, the cook is the face of the business. If you love cooking great food and interact well with people, we want to hear from you.

What You’ll Cook

• Hand-wrap, crimp, and pan-fry patties to order: beef, curry chicken (our four-year bestseller), pork
• Guisados (braises) like oxtail, bacalao, and ginger beef, served with fresh hojaldra (Panamanian fried bread)
• Scratch sauces, sides, and garnishes, built to a standard of bright acid, fresh herb, and texture on every plate

How You’ll Sell

Market guests are browsing, and most decide where to eat in the few seconds they spend walking by. Bringing them in is a core part of this role:

• Greet every guest who slows down or makes eye contact, even mid-prep
• Know the menu and its story well enough to explain to someone who’s never had Caribbean-Panamanian street food
• Offer recommendations, suggest add-ons
• Take orders on POS and handle cash accurately

What You’ll Do

• Run your station during service. On earlier weekdays, you may run the stall solo: cooking, selling, and keeping it running smoothly
• Follow our recipes and SOPs with precision so every plate comes out the same
• Restock, wash dishes, and keep the station clean, organized, and food-safe throughout the shift
• Complete par sheets and opening/closing checklists
• Prep mise en place and production at our Brookland commissary kitchen (if you’re interested in full production)

What We’re Looking For

• 1+ year of line or prep experience
• Genuine enjoyment of talking with guests. Retail or counter-service experience is a plus
• Comfort with POS and basic cash handling
• Self-motivated: you stay busy and keep selling when no one’s watching
• Reliable, punctual, and calm under a rush
• Food handler certification
• Availability for nights, weekends, and holidays (closed Christmas)
• Able to stand for long shifts and lift up to 50 lbs

What We Offer

• $19/hr base plus a shared tip pool, split by hours worked
• Growth path to Lead and site management
• A small, respectful team where your work is noticed
• Real cooking, with a cuisine you won’t find on most DC menus