Assistant Cook

Location: Chicago, IL 60630 — less than one mile from the Jefferson Park Blue Line
Job type: Full-time or part-time
Average weekly hours: 24–35
Kitchen hours: Tuesday–Friday, 3:30–11:30 PM; Saturday, 11:30 AM–11:30 PM; Sunday, 11:30 AM–9:00 PM. Occasional special events monthly. Closed on most major holidays.

About the role

A neighborhood pizza tavern in Chicago’s Jefferson Park neighborhood is hiring an experienced Lead Line Cook to run kitchen operations during service. This is a hands-on role for a dependable cook who can execute pizza, fryer, grill, and prep stations independently while maintaining quality, speed, food safety, and organization.

You will work closely with ownership and front-of-house leadership, help maintain consistency across the menu, and have a real opportunity to contribute to menu development and future kitchen improvements.

Responsibilities

• Run the kitchen during scheduled service, working independently and making sound operational decisions
• Prepare, cook, and execute pizza, fried foods, grilled items, and other tavern menu items to established recipes and quality standards
• Operate and maintain the pizza oven, fryer, grill, and other kitchen equipment safely
• Manage station setup, prep, stocking, ticket flow, expediting, coursing, and plating during service
• Maintain food quality, portion control, presentation, and consistent ticket times
• Monitor inventory, communicate ordering needs, rotate product FIFO, and reduce waste
• Maintain a clean, organized, and food-safe kitchen; follow all sanitation and safety regulations
• Handle dish maintenance, closing duties, equipment checks, and end-of-shift breakdown
• Support occasional private catered events as needed
• Provide input on menu selection, specials, workflow, and future menu elevation

Requirements

• Must be able to work every Sunday, Tuesday with one optional day.
• Proven experience as a line cook, lead cook, kitchen lead, or similar role
• Ability to run a kitchen independently with limited supervision
• Strong experience operating a pizza oven, fryer, and grill
• Solid knowledge of food safety, sanitation, inventory control, and kitchen organization
• Ability to work efficiently under pressure and maintain consistency during busy service
• Strong communication skills and a positive, professional attitude
• Availability for evening, weekend, and occasional catered-event shifts
• Ability to stand for extended periods and lift/carry kitchen supplies as needed

What we offer

• Competitive hourly pay, commensurate with proven experience
• 24–32 average weekly hours. Overtime opportunities.
• Opportunity to help shape the menu and kitchen operations
• Supportive ownership and a collaborative work environment
• Closed on most major holidays
• On-site interviews and immediate consideration

How to apply

Submit your resume today for immediate consideration. Interviews are held on-site at our pizza tavern near Jefferson Park.

Benefits:

• Paid training

Experience:

• Line cook: 5 years (Required)
• Pizza making: 2 years (Required)

License/Certification:

• ServSafe Certification (Required)

Schedule: Every Tuesday 3:30–11:00 PM, Saturday 11:30 AM–10:00 PM, and Sunday 11:30 AM–9:30 PM. Weekend and evening availability required. Approximately 28–36 hours weekly; additional shifts may be available based on performance and business needs.