Job Overview
Employment Type
Hourly
Compensation
Hourly
Exact $20.00
Work Schedule
Standard Hours
Benefits
competitive wage
Career growth opportunities
inclusive work environment
Employee meal discounts
Community involvement
supportive team culture
Health and safety prioritization
Job Description
PAGU is a Michelin awarded Spanish Japanese tapas restaurant located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, situated between Central Square and MIT in the city's innovation hub. Founded and owned by James Beard Semifinalist Chef Tracy Chang, PAGU is celebrated for its inventive menu that highlights local ingredients and creates a beautiful fusion of Japanese and Spanish culinary techniques and flavors. The inspiration for PAGU's offerings comes from Chef Chang's diverse culinary experiences, including prestigious institutions such as O Ya, Le Cordon Bleu Paris, the three-star Michelin Restaurante Martin Berasategui, Guchi's Midnight Ramen, and Harvard's Science & Cooking course.
Operating seven days a week, PAGU serves dinner along with takeout and patio dining, embracing a vibrant atmosphere that invites guests to experience innovative tapas in a warm and welcoming setting. The restaurant is renowned for its commitment to high-quality food that is both healthy and comforting, reflecting a deep respect for the cultural roots of Japanese and Spanish cuisine.
Beyond the exceptional dining experience, PAGU stands as a beacon of community and inclusivity. The team prides itself on being loyal, hard-working, detail-oriented, and collaborative. They strive to foster an environment of mutual respect and teamwork, where personal growth and shared success are paramount. PAGU is an equal opportunity employer, with a culturally diverse leadership spearheaded by Chef/Owner Tracy Chang, who is fluent in Spanish, Mandarin, and English, with additional skills in French and Portuguese.
As a dynamic and transformative culinary establishment, PAGU treats its team members like family. It prioritizes education, leadership, empathy, teamwork, and a passion for serving others as core values. The restaurant is dedicated to maintaining a supportive atmosphere that nurtures growth, learning, and career advancement. The position of line cook or prep cook at PAGU offers an hourly wage starting at $20 or more, depending on experience, along with opportunities for career growth and a collective responsibility to maintain a fun and engaging workplace. The safety and well-being of the team and community are at the forefront of all operations.
PAGU is more than just a restaurant; it is a vibrant hub for creativity and innovation, inspired by its spirited mascot, a pug named Pearl. The restaurant encourages guests and staff alike to embrace life fully through its food and service, celebrating family, friends, and the community. Furthermore, Chef Tracy Chang actively contributes to social causes through co-founding two nonprofits, Off Their Plate and Project Restore Us, which focus on food access, youth empowerment, and mutual aid. Employees at PAGU have the opportunity to engage meaningfully in these impactful community efforts, blending daily operational responsibilities with substantial community involvement.
With numerous accolades such as the Michelin Bib Gourmand 2025, James Beard Foundation awards for Best Chef Northeast and Outstanding Restaurant, and recognitions from Boston Magazine and Star Chefs, PAGU continues to set a high standard for culinary excellence and community engagement in Cambridge and beyond.
Operating seven days a week, PAGU serves dinner along with takeout and patio dining, embracing a vibrant atmosphere that invites guests to experience innovative tapas in a warm and welcoming setting. The restaurant is renowned for its commitment to high-quality food that is both healthy and comforting, reflecting a deep respect for the cultural roots of Japanese and Spanish cuisine.
Beyond the exceptional dining experience, PAGU stands as a beacon of community and inclusivity. The team prides itself on being loyal, hard-working, detail-oriented, and collaborative. They strive to foster an environment of mutual respect and teamwork, where personal growth and shared success are paramount. PAGU is an equal opportunity employer, with a culturally diverse leadership spearheaded by Chef/Owner Tracy Chang, who is fluent in Spanish, Mandarin, and English, with additional skills in French and Portuguese.
As a dynamic and transformative culinary establishment, PAGU treats its team members like family. It prioritizes education, leadership, empathy, teamwork, and a passion for serving others as core values. The restaurant is dedicated to maintaining a supportive atmosphere that nurtures growth, learning, and career advancement. The position of line cook or prep cook at PAGU offers an hourly wage starting at $20 or more, depending on experience, along with opportunities for career growth and a collective responsibility to maintain a fun and engaging workplace. The safety and well-being of the team and community are at the forefront of all operations.
PAGU is more than just a restaurant; it is a vibrant hub for creativity and innovation, inspired by its spirited mascot, a pug named Pearl. The restaurant encourages guests and staff alike to embrace life fully through its food and service, celebrating family, friends, and the community. Furthermore, Chef Tracy Chang actively contributes to social causes through co-founding two nonprofits, Off Their Plate and Project Restore Us, which focus on food access, youth empowerment, and mutual aid. Employees at PAGU have the opportunity to engage meaningfully in these impactful community efforts, blending daily operational responsibilities with substantial community involvement.
With numerous accolades such as the Michelin Bib Gourmand 2025, James Beard Foundation awards for Best Chef Northeast and Outstanding Restaurant, and recognitions from Boston Magazine and Star Chefs, PAGU continues to set a high standard for culinary excellence and community engagement in Cambridge and beyond.
Job Requirements
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Previous culinary or kitchen experience preferred
- Ability to work flexible hours including evenings, weekends and holidays
- Physical stamina to stand for extended periods and handle kitchen tasks
- Ability to communicate effectively in English
- Willingness to work in a fast-paced, detail-oriented environment
- Commitment to food safety and sanitation standards
Job Qualifications
- Experience as a line cook or prep cook in a professional kitchen
- Knowledge of cooking techniques and food safety standards
- Ability to follow recipes and standard operating procedures accurately
- Strong communication skills
- Ability to work well in a team-oriented environment
- Flexibility to adapt to changing kitchen needs
- Basic understanding of ingredient handling and storage
- Ability to manage time effectively
- Commitment to maintaining cleanliness and organization in the kitchen
Job Duties
- Willingness to help others
- Contribute to new ideas
- Flexibility with changes
- Clear, honest communication with team members, managers and suppliers
- Finding ways to challenge and motivate yourself and others to improve daily
- Anticipating needs before things are required of you
- Reading BEOs and looking ahead at events preparation for the week
- Efficient time management
- Working clean, organized and independently
- Checking in orders and maintaining quality
- Producing consistently high quality food following PAGU standard operating procedures and recipes
- Knowledge of ingredients and techniques
- Understanding how to follow a recipe and properly label, date, refrigerate or freeze mise
- Understanding how to manage oven and fryer temperatures for frying, steaming, braising, searing, roasting
- Implementing cooking techniques like oven braising, baking, steaming, sauteeing, caramelizing
- Understanding how to utilize and maintain equipment
- A basic understanding of food waste management
Job Criteria
Experience
Mid Level (3-7 years)
Job Location
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