Hidden Grounds cafes run on chai, coffee, hospitality - and a lot of careful prep that guests never see.
We are looking for a dependable Kitchen Prep & Cleaning Associate to help our Summit production kitchen stay accurate, clean and ready. You will prepare and portion food for our cafes, package and label products, wash dishes and equipment, organize ingredients and supplies, and reset the kitchen for the next production day.
This is not a chef role, and it is not a cooking-only role. Food prep and cleaning are both essential parts of every shift. Professional kitchen experience can help, but we care more about reliability, cleanliness, attention to detail, steady pace and willingness to learn our systems.
PREP, PORTION AND PACK
- Prepare ingredients and approved recipes according to current Hidden Grounds specifications and batch plans.
- Portion items that may include cream cheese, chicken tikka, avocado smash, smoked salmon and other cafe ingredients.
- Weigh, package, label, date and stage products accurately for the correct cafe.
- Follow batch quantities, shelf-life, storage, cooling, allergen and cross-contact instructions.
- Rotate ingredients and finished products using date labels and FIFO.
- Receive, organize and put away food, packaging and production supplies.
- Pause and ask when instructions or food quality are unclear rather than guessing.
CLEAN AND RESET
- Wash and sanitize dishes, containers, utensils, equipment and kitchen tools.
- Clean prep tables, food-contact surfaces, sinks, shelving, refrigeration and storage areas.
- Sweep and mop production areas and handle trash, recycling and cardboard correctly.
- Restock containers, lids, labels and cleaning materials.
- Complete the end-of-shift reset so the next team enters a clean, safe and ready kitchen.
YOU MAY BE A STRONG FIT IF YOU
- Show up on time and do what you said you would do.
- Take pride in a clean, organized workspace.
- Can follow recipes, measurements, labels and checklists without cutting corners.
- Are comfortable doing both food prep and cleaning during the same shift.
- Work steadily without sacrificing food safety or accuracy.
- Speak up when something is unclear.
- Can perform the essential responsibilities with or without reasonable accommodation.
Experience in a commercial kitchen, bakery, commissary, restaurant, catering operation, dish room, packing role, warehouse or food-service environment is helpful, but not required. We are willing to train someone dependable who learns carefully. Food-handler training is helpful but not required; Hidden Grounds provides role-appropriate food-safety training.
SCHEDULE AND COMPENSATION
This is an in-person role at 144 Summit Ave, Jersey City, NJ 07304. Part-time and full-time schedules are available. Production shifts run Monday through Saturday; six-day availability is not required. Specific days, times and weekly hours will be agreed before hire. Base pay is $16 per hour, non-tipped.
Employees accrue earned sick/protected leave under applicable law and Hidden Grounds policy. This role does not include separate paid vacation or guaranteed bonus compensation.
Apply through Poached. Candidates who pass the initial job-related review may be invited to complete the Hidden Grounds careers application as the next step. It includes a resume and short video introduction; thoughtful answers matter more than polished production.
Hidden Grounds makes employment decisions using job-related qualifications and business needs. We consider applicants who can perform the essential responsibilities of the role, with or without reasonable accommodation.