• Costa Mesa, CA
  • Part-time
4 days ago

Job Description

Experienced Italian Cuisine Chef / Cook

Benefits / Perks


  • Competitive Compensation

  • Career Advancement Opportunities

  • Stable, established restaurant

  • Opportunity to take on increasing kitchen responsibilities

Job Summary


We are seeking an experienced Chef/Cook with a strong background in authentic Italian cuisine to join our team.


We are an established, independently owned Italian restaurant focused on high-quality, authentic Italian food. We are not a large-volume corporate kitchen, so we are looking for someone who is reliable, responsible, organized, hands-on, and able to work independently when necessary.


Strong fluency in English and solid experience with Italian cuisine are non-negotiable requirements. Weekend availability and punctuality are also essential.


Our kitchen prepares a wide variety of dishes, including fresh pasta, pasta sauces, pinsa romana, piadina and flatbread sandwiches, soups, salads, and other traditional Italian specialties. Most of our recipes are original Italian recipes, and many of our products are prepared from scratch.


We also offer an American-style Breakfast/Brunch menu every morning until approximately 1–2 PM.


Because we are a relatively small restaurant, our cooks and chefs need to be versatile. During busy periods, you will work closely with the rest of the kitchen team; during slower periods, you must be comfortable working independently and responsibly managing the kitchen and your station.


Quality is extremely important to us, but so is cost control. The right candidate must understand the importance of following recipes, respecting portion sizes, minimizing waste, monitoring inventory, and using ingredients responsibly.


As you become familiar with our operation, we would also expect you to help identify purchasing needs, monitor inventory levels, communicate shortages, and eventually place orders directly with our approved suppliers.


Visit our website to learn more about our restaurant, menu, and concept.


Responsibilities


  • Prepare and execute dishes according to our established recipes and quality standards

  • Maintain consistently high standards of food quality, taste, presentation, and portioning

  • Follow recipes carefully, including specified ingredient quantities and portion sizes

  • Understand the importance of food cost, portion control, and waste reduction

  • Work efficiently and calmly during busy service periods

  • Be comfortable working independently during slower periods

  • Organize and complete daily prep based on actual kitchen needs

  • Monitor ingredient and inventory levels and identify products that need to be reordered

  • After training, assist with and eventually manage ordering from approved suppliers

  • Receive and properly store deliveries

  • Maintain a clean, organized, and efficient kitchen and workstation

  • Follow all food safety, sanitation, and health regulations

  • Communicate effectively with management and other team members

  • Be punctual, dependable, and available to work weekends

  • Take ownership of your station and help the entire kitchen operate smoothly

Qualifications


  • Strong previous experience in Italian cuisine is required

  • Previous professional experience as a Chef, Cook, or experienced Line Cook

  • Fluent English is required

  • Strong knowledge of Italian cooking techniques, ingredients, sauces, pasta, and traditional recipes

  • Experience preparing food from scratch

  • Ability to follow standardized recipes precisely and consistently

  • Strong understanding of portion control, food cost, inventory, and waste management

  • Ability to work both as part of a team and independently

  • Excellent organization and time-management skills

  • Ability to remain calm and productive under pressure

  • Reliable, punctual, responsible, and professional

  • California Food Handler Card or appropriate food-safety certification

  • Culinary school education is preferred but not required

We are looking for someone who takes pride in cooking great food, respects ingredients and recipes, understands that quality and cost control go hand in hand, and wants to become an important part of our kitchen team.




Numbers & Facts

LocationCosta Mesa, CA
Job TypePart-time

Skills

  • Communication Skillsunmatched
  • Cook Dishesunmatched
  • Cost Controlunmatched
  • English Languageunmatched
  • Food Flavorunmatched
  • Food Preparationunmatched
  • Food Qualityunmatched
  • Food Safetyunmatched
  • Ingredient Selectionunmatched
  • Inventory Costsunmatched
  • Inventory Levelsunmatched
  • Inventory Managementunmatched
  • Italian Languageunmatched
  • Needs Assessmentunmatched
  • Order Managementunmatched
  • Organizational Skillsunmatched
  • Portion Controlunmatched
  • Purchasing/Procurementunmatched
  • Quality Controlunmatched
  • Quality Metricsunmatched
  • Restaurantunmatched
  • Team Playerunmatched
  • Time Managementunmatched
  • Waste Managementunmatched

Be found by employers

5,500+ employers search our resume database daily. Add yours to get found by recruiters looking for candidates like you.

Level up your application

Professional resume templates

Browse dozens of recruiter approved resume templates, layouts and formats. Choose your favorite and make it your own in minutes.

Free resume templates

Free resume builder

Improve your existing resume or start from scratch and create a standout, ATS-friendly resume. Add job-specific content, download and apply.

Free resume builder