About Us
Cream City Concepts is Milwaukee’s hospitality group built for the energy of a packed house. We run Oak Barrel Public House, Who’s on Third, Who’s on Layton, Cream City Catering, and 3rd Street Retreat — craft food, cold drinks, game days, date nights, big events, and a place to stay, all over the city. The pace is fast, the standards are high, and the people are what make it work.
About the Role
The Line Cook is where the food happens. You own a station and put out every plate to standard — fast, consistent, and right — through some of the busiest service in the city. Who’s runs high volume: game days, packed bars, tickets stacking up. This role is about holding your station, holding pace, and never letting quality slip when it gets loud. It’s a core step on the Craft Track.
One Kitchen, One Team
In our kitchens, nobody is above any station. When the team needs it, everyone crosses over — as a Line Cook you’ll help with prep, jump on dish when the pit gets buried, and slide across stations wherever the kitchen needs you. We run as one team, not separate jobs.
Clean and Organized — Always
There’s no standing around in our kitchens — if you’ve got time to lean, you’ve got time to clean. When you’re not on a task, you’re cleaning, organizing, restocking, or prepping ahead. You keep your station and the kitchen clean and organized all shift, and you work the cleaning checklists — daily, weekly, and monthly — without being asked. A clean, organized kitchen is the standard here, not the exception.
What We’re Hiring For
Skills change by station. These five don’t — they’re the bar in every CCC kitchen, every shift.
• Optimistic Warmth — You bring good energy to the line and stay steady when the rail is full and the night runs long.
• Curious Intelligence — You’re a self-starter. You learn the menu fast, sharpen your technique, and find the cleaner, faster way to work your station.
• Work Ethic — You take pride in every plate — cooked right and consistent, not just fast.
• Empathy — You read the rail and your teammates: you call for help, give it, and set up the next cook to win.
• Self-Awareness & Integrity — You hold your station to standard when no one’s watching, and you own a mistake, refire, and fix it.
Key Responsibilities
Station Ownership & Execution
• Run your assigned station through prep, service, and close — set up, stocked, and ready before the first ticket.
• Cook every item to recipe, spec, and plating standard, holding quality and portion control under high volume.
• Hold pace during peak service and keep tickets moving without sacrificing consistency.
Speed, Consistency & Quality
• Fire and time dishes so the rail flows and plates leave together.
• Keep your station clean, organized, and fully stocked throughout the shift.
• Taste, check, and hold the line on quality — no plate goes out below standard.
Prep & Setup
• Complete assigned prep accurately and on time, and restock during service.
• Label, date, and rotate product(FIFO).
Food Safety & Sanitation
• Follow all health-department food-handling and sanitation standards.
• Maintain proper temperatures and complete cleaning and closing tasks for your station.
Team & Communication
• Communicate clearly on the line — call for backup, answer the expo, flag 86s early.
• Help teammates, prep, and dish whenever the kitchen needs it.
Qualifications
• 1+ year of line cook experience in a high-volume kitchen preferred, or a strong cook ready to step up.
• Able to run a station and hold pace during heavy service.
• Solid knife skills and comfort following recipes and plating specs.
• Understanding of food-safety and sanitation standards.
• Calm, fast, and consistent under pressure, with a strong sense of urgency and teamwork.
• Flexible availability including nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States.
• Able to stand for extended periods; bend, reach, and lift up to 50 lbs; and work around heat and kitchen equipment.
Success in This Role Means
• Your station is set, stocked, and ready before every service.
• Every plate leaves to recipe, spec, and plating standard — even at peak volume.
• Tickets move and the rail flows; pace holds when it gets loud.
• Your station stays clean, safe, and organized all shift.
• The team can count on you to hold your spot and jump in elsewhere when needed.
Benefits & Perks
• Competitive hourly pay (based on experience).
• Discounted employee meals.
• Opportunity to grow your skills and move up the culinary Craft Track.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Cream City Concepts is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, pregnancy, veteran status, or any other protected class. This job description does not constitute a contract of employment. Employment remains at-will. Duties and responsibilities may change at any time based on business needs.
Continue Your Hospitality Career with us.
We are always looking for the brightest personalities to join our teams!
We value each person's point of view and we want all of our employees to have a voice in our operations.