Cooking Assistant jobs in the United States

Join Tablespoon Cooking Co.'s Culinary Assistant Team!

What is Tablespoon Cooking Co.?
Tablespoon Cooking Co. is located at Findlay Market in the historic Over-the-Rhine neighborhood in Cincinnati, Ohio. Tablespoon specializes in hands-on cooking classes taught by professional chefs. We also offer private events and catering. Tablespoon teaches people how to cook by sharing tips and tricks from professional kitchens. We also provide entertaining events for corporate and social occasions. Our classes are fun and interactive and we pour beer and wine and play music, so it’s a party, not just a cooking class. Visit our website to learn more.

What do Culinary Assistants do at Tablespoon?
Tablespoon's Culinary Assistants work with our Instructors to ensure our classes and events run smoothly and efficiently. This is a customer-facing role where you will assist our guests throughout the cooking class and make sure they are having a great time.

On an average day, the Culinary Assistant will arrive before class to help our team set up and get organized. Once our guests start to arrive, the Culinary Assistant will greet them at the door, show them to their seats and offer them a welcome beverage. During class, it's the Culinary Assistants responsibility to make sure our guests have everything they need. We love to engage with our guests and create a personal connection. At the end of class, the team will work together to clean, breakdown the kitchen, and do the dishes. While everything we do is about food and cooking, you won't actually cook much in this role. You will be helping others cook and doing prep work.

Prior culinary experience is not needed but a love of food and cooking is required. Our menus change every day so there is always an opportunity to learn something new. We pride ourselves on our dedication to the guest experience and making sure our guests have fun!

Essential Functions

• Set up for classes and events (Putting out equipment, ingredients, setting up stations)
• Assist guests during arrival to class
• Help Instructor facilitate class
• Create a fun and inviting atmosphere where all guests feel welcome, taken care of and are having fun
• Assist guests with anything they need during class such as beverages, ingredients, cooking assistance, etc.
• Interact with guests and create a personal connection with each guest
• Clean up, break down kitchen and do dishes after the class or event

Job Requirements

• Love of food and cooking
• Hospitality or restaurant experience preferred but not required
• Comfortable in group environments
• Comfortable using technology such as email, Google Drive, Slack and various apps
• Flexible schedule with night and weekend availability
• Up-to-date with food and beverage trends and best practices
• Arrive on-time and ready for all shifts
• Have a working knowledge of basic food safety and sanitation procedures
• Guest-oriented and service-minded
• Possess and exhibit the drive to provide exceptional customer service
• Exhibit professionalism when talking with guests and communicating information
• Ability to spot and resolve problems quickly, change with environment and work with a team
• Excellent verbal and written communication

Successful Candidates will have the following Personal Characteristics:

• Love of food and cooking
• Passionate about great food and great service
• Comfortable in group environments
• Professional, punctual and articulate
• Well organized and able to multitask
• Strong attention to detail
• High level of integrity and honesty
• Able to effectively manage their emotions in the workplace
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• High energy and enthusiasm

Physical Requirements

• Bending, stooping, walking and standing for long periods of time
• Must be able to safely lift and move up to 50 pounds
• Able to go up or down stairs multiple times per day (storage is in the basement)

Availability

• 7-14 hours per week (1-2 shifts)
• Shifts are typically from 3:30pm-10pm
• Evenings and weekend availability is required