Cook / High-Volume Prep Cook / Cocinero (1099 Contractor)

Team Jose Garces, a renowned culinary group founded by Iron Chef Jose Garces, is dedicated to bringing authentic and innovative Latin flavors to the forefront of the food industry. Recognized for its commitment to excellence and creativity, Team Jose Garces partners with CookUnity, a technology-driven food company that specializes in preparing and delivering ready-to-eat meals. CookUnity operates a central commissary kitchen in Chicago's Humboldt Park neighborhood, designed to support high-volume food production in a clean, efficient, and collaborative environment. This partnership enables the delivery of exceptional, chef-designed meals to customers, blending culinary tradition with modern food technology. Team Jose Garces embodies the spirit of culinary artistry, innovation, and cultural celebration through its menu offerings that highlight Latin cuisine's vibrant and diverse flavors.

The High-Volume Prep Cook role is a full-time position offered under a 1099 Independent Contractor arrangement with a pay rate of $18.00 to $21.00 per hour. This position is ideal for cooks who are passionate about culinary craftsmanship but prefer to work behind the scenes without the pressures of traditional restaurant line cooking, late-night shifts, or direct customer interaction. This job focuses solely on the preparation and cooking of food within a state-of-the-art commercial kitchen that operates as a "kitchen within a kitchen." The commissary kitchen provides all necessary ingredients, while Team Jose Garces' culinary team prepares, cooks, and plates dishes following precise recipes created by Chef Garces himself. After cooking, the meals are sealed, packaged, and dispatched by CookUnity’s logistics team.

The role demands cooking large batches of Latin recipes with consistency and accuracy, adapting to a shared kitchen environment, and rotating among different cooking stations and equipment to meet production needs. The cook will maintain a highly organized, clean, and safe workstation adhering to stringent hygiene standards. Effective communication and teamwork are critical as the kitchen operates in a fast-paced environment where coordination ensures smooth processes and problem-solving as issues arise. Fluency in Spanish is mandatory for operational communication, while English proficiency is beneficial but not required. Candidates with experience in catering, banquets, commissary kitchens, or bulk food preparation will find their skills highly valued, especially those familiar with Latin flavor profiles and ingredients.

This opportunity is not only a job but a chance to work directly with a world-renowned chef’s menus within a cutting-edge food tech space that is rapidly growing. The position includes specialized onsite training in food safety, ensuring compliance and best practices. Team Jose Garces and CookUnity provide an environment geared towards growth, learning high-volume cooking techniques, and being part of an innovative culinary movement focused on delivering quality meals at scale. Talented, motivated individuals who thrive in a collaborative, energetic, and structured kitchen environment are encouraged to apply and become part of this exciting food industry evolution.