Cook

River North, Chicago, IL
Full Time
$20–$25 per hour, based on experience

L&A Core Hospitality LLC is hiring Cooks for the opening team of a new full-service restaurant in Chicago’s River North neighborhood.

The contemporary American menu will feature shareable plates, steaks, seafood, handmade pastas, sandwiches, and composed entrées. Our approach emphasizes thoughtful technique, high-quality ingredients, and consistent execution in a polished but approachable setting.

Service will focus on dinner and late night, with weekend brunch planned.

This is an opportunity to help establish a kitchen from the ground up, train with experienced culinary leadership, and grow within an expanding Chicago hospitality group.

Schedule and Hours

Business hours will be:

• Sunday–Thursday, 4 p.m.–2 a.m.
• Friday–Saturday, 4 p.m.–3 a.m.

Kitchen scheduling will include 3 shifts:

• Early prep shifts
• Opening shifts
• Late-night closing shifts

Individual schedules and station assignments will depend on experience, availability, and kitchen needs. Closing responsibilities may extend beyond business hours.

Responsibilities

• Set up and maintain a clean, organized, fully stocked station
• Prepare ingredients, sauces, stocks, proteins, vegetables, and other station production
• Execute dishes according to recipes, portion specifications, and plating standards
• Maintain speed, accuracy, and consistency during high-volume service
• Communicate clearly with chefs, expo, and other stations
• Follow food safety, sanitation, labeling, storage, and rotation procedures
• Maintain station pars, communicate product needs, and minimize waste
• Complete opening and closing duties and assist other stations as needed
• Participate in preopening training, tastings, mock services, and Friends & Family

Qualifications

• 1+ year of professional kitchen experience preferred
• Experience in a full-service restaurant or comparable professional kitchen
• Strong knife skills and basic cooking fundamentals
• Ability to follow recipes, prep lists, and kitchen procedures
• Organization, clear communication, and the ability to work efficiently under pressure
• Reliable attendance, punctuality, and willingness to accept coaching
• Availability for assigned shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays as required

Strong prep cooks interested in developing their line experience are encouraged to apply. We are willing to train candidates who demonstrate solid fundamentals, reliability, and a strong work ethic.

Preferred Experience

• 2+ years of professional kitchen experience
• Experience in elevated casual, upscale casual, or high-volume restaurants
• Experience across sauté, grill, fry, pantry, or multiple stations
• High-volume prep and production experience
• Previous restaurant opening experience

Compensation and Growth

$20–$26 per hour, based on experience, skill level, and station assignment.

Opportunities to grow as the hospitality group expands.

Apply

Please submit a current résumé outlining your restaurant experience, stations worked, and prep experience.

Selected candidates will be contacted directly to begin the interview process.