Prep Cook

Jersey City, NJ, USA|Onsite

Job Overview

Employment Type

Full-time

Part-time

Compensation

Hourly

Range $20.00 - $22.00

Work Schedule

Flexible

Weekend Shifts

Night Shifts

Benefits

Structured compensation

Medical insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Flexible spending account

Commuter Benefits

Referral Bonus

career advancement

employee recognition

Paid Time Off

Job Description

COTE is a distinguished dining establishment founded by proprietor Simon Kim, known for its innovative fusion of Korean barbeque and classic American steakhouse experiences. This New York City based restaurant is celebrated as the city's first Korean Steakhouse, offering a unique, convivial, and interactive atmosphere where guests can enjoy high-quality USDA Prime beef, an extensive wine list featuring over 1200 labels, and classic yet creative cocktails. Every table is equipped with smokeless grills, complemented by exclusive cuts from an in-house dry aging room, ensuring each steak is served hot, fresh, and perfectly caramelized. This blend of cultures and culinary artistry reflects COTE's commitment to delivering exceptional food with an outstanding dining ambiance.

The role of Prep Cook at COTE encompasses a vital position within the culinary team, emphasizing precision and collaboration. Prep Cooks are responsible for preparing ingredients, setting up and sanitizing workstations, and assisting with various cooking tasks, ensuring that all preparations meet the high standards of quality and safety that define the restaurant. They support the Chef de Cuisine and Sous Chefs in daily operations, contributing to the smooth running of the kitchen and back-of-house activities. This position requires a proactive, detail-oriented individual who is adept at multitasking and maintaining professionalism under pressure within a fast-paced, dynamic environment. Candidates must demonstrate knowledge of kitchen safety, local health standards, and food handling procedures. The role offers an opportunity to engage with a vibrant team, embrace Korean culinary elements, and uphold the COTE brand values including sustainability, culture, and stewardship.

COTE offers competitive compensation ranging from $20 to $22 per hour in accordance with New York State's pay transparency law. Employment benefits include comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans, flexible spending accounts, commuter benefits, referral bonuses, and paid time off. The company fosters career development through advancement opportunities and employee recognition programs. COTE is committed to diversity and equal opportunity employment, supporting applicants with reasonable accommodations to perform essential job functions. This role is suitable for experienced cooks with at least one year of similar experience, culinary arts background preferred, and those passionate about aligning with a top-tier restaurant dedicated to excellence and innovation in the hospitality industry.

Job Requirements

high school diploma or equivalent
1+ years of cooking or prep cook experience preferred
food handler's certification or ability to obtain
ability to work flexible hours including nights, weekends, and holidays
physical ability to stand for long periods and lift up to 50 pounds
strong communication skills
attention to detail
ability to follow safety and sanitation guidelines
ability to work in a fast-paced environment
teamwork and cooperation skills
proficiency in English

Job Qualifications

must have the ability to read, speak, understand, follow written directions, and verbal instructions in English
must be reachable by email and able to communicate via phone as well
communicates information effectively and efficiently
excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
possesses a positive, results-oriented, team-player mentality
ability to perform job duties and responsibilities well and maintain professionalism and composure under pressure and in a high-paced and at times stressful environment
knowledge of workplace safety procedures and local department of health standards
food handler's certification or the ability to obtain in accordance with federal, state, or local regulations and/or company policy
able to work a flexible schedule in order to accommodate business levels
good oral communication skills
ability to execute recipes and service in adherence with company policy
proficient knife-handling skills
culinary arts degree preferred
familiarity with Korean cuisine preferred
1+ years similar experience preferred
excellent understanding of various cooking techniques, ingredients, equipment, and procedures

Job Duties

sets up and sanitizes the workstations prior to starting prep work
produces all assigned menu dishes according to the daily prep list issues by the chefs
measures ingredients and seasonings and prepares cooking ingredients for service
undertakes basic cooking duties such as cutting, slicing, peeling, monitoring stock levels, reducing sauces, preparing pickles and kimchi
ensures all food and other items are stored properly and tagged, date-labeled, covered, and rotated effectively
complies with nutrition and sanitation guidelines
supervises food and cooling room temperatures
labels, stocks, and organizes all ingredients on shelves for easy accessibility
works efficiently with kitchen team members and complies with company procedures and food safety standards
keeps utensils and equipment clean and sanitary at all times
avoids cross contamination by adhering to preparation standards set by the CDC
reports to each scheduled shift on time, in uniform, and ready to work
assists other stations or areas of the restaurant when requested by management
performs additional tasks assigned by the executive and sous chef to maintain the highest standards of food quality, cost control, consistency and cleanliness
is quick, diligent, and willing to improve on the job
responsible for training new employees as assigned