Job Position: Culinary Production & Prep Lead

Wage: $16–$18 per hour

Schedule: Monday to Friday, 6:00 AM – 3:00 PM; additional hours as needed

Location: Downtown Chicago, IL

Job Summary

As a Culinary Production & Prep Lead, you will support daily kitchen operations by coordinating food preparation activities and ensuring all items are prepared according to established standards. This role works closely with kitchen leadership to maintain consistency, quality, and efficiency across all production areas.

You will assist in guiding prep workflows, completing assigned production lists, and maintaining a clean, organized, and high-functioning workstation throughout each shift.

Responsibilities

• Support daily food preparation across multiple production areas, following established recipes and prep lists
• Assist with coordinating task flow and ensuring timely completion of kitchen prep activities
• Maintain proper food storage, labeling, and portioning in alignment with food safety standards
• Monitor kitchen equipment and work areas to ensure cleanliness and operational readiness
• Inspect ingredients and prepared items to ensure quality and consistency
• Assist with inventory tracking and communicate supply needs as appropriate
• Follow all opening and closing procedures, maintaining an organized and efficient workstation
• Collaborate with team members and leadership to support overall kitchen operations

Required Qualifications

• At least 1 year of experience in a high-volume kitchen or food production environment
• Strong knife skills and understanding of basic cooking techniques, kitchen equipment, and food safety practices
• Ability to follow recipes, measurements, and portion standards accurately
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to read, write, and understand English to follow prep lists and recipes
• Valid Food Handler or Food Service Manager Certification required

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting or guiding kitchen workflows or team members
• Strong communication skills and ability to work collaboratively
• Adaptability and problem-solving skills in a fast-paced environment

Why We’re the Leaders

• Excellent training
• Employee Referral bonuses
• Flexible scheduling
• Career advancement opportunities
• Competitive Pay
• Anniversary Milestone Incentives

Company Benefits & Perks

• Paid Time Off
• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance – Includes Spouse and Domestic Partner Coverage (Blue Cross Blue Shield Provider)
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Paid Life Insurance
• Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance (AD&D) & Critical Illness Insurance
• Short Term Disability
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
  1. Mental Health, Relationship Conflicts, Child and Eldercare, Substance Abuse, Grief and Loss
     • Assistance for you and household members
     • In Person Sessions
     • Unlimited phone access
• Parental Leave – Equal benefits to Mothers and Fathers
• 401K Retirement Plan
• FFT University - Over 70 courses designed to enhance your skills in life and on the job to help your career growth.
• Employee Meal Plan
• Employee Discounts (Pet Insurance, Entertainment, Travel, Company Discounts, and much more).

Company Values & Culture

• Collaboration & Open Communication

• Diverse, Inclusive, Safe, and Motivating

• Our Triple Bottom Line – People, Product and Planet

• A Net Positive Organization

Grow with us! - at Food For Thought, instruction, advice, and assistance are always readily available, which is why our average tenure is 5 years. The U.S. average is 4.3 years, while the Hospitality industry average is only 2 years!

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to reach at or below the shoulder; lift and carry items up to 50 pounds for a moderate distance.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to stand and move during the length of shift; be able to bend and kneel through the shift. The employee is required to use their hands to handle tools, grasp, and control objects. Use fingers to grasp, move, or assemble items. The employee is continuously exposed to extreme temperatures. Working with knives, mincers, and other dangerous tools or equipment.

EEO Statement

Food For Thought provides equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all applicants and employees, regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, and any other characteristic protected by applicable local, state, and federal laws and regulations.

E-Verify Participation

Food For Thought participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.

If E-Verify cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, this employer is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or Social Security Administration (SSA) so you can begin to resolve the issue before the employer can take any action against you, including terminating your employment. Employers can only use E-Verify once you have accepted a job offer and completed the Form I-9. For more information on E-Verify, or if you believe that your employer has violated its E-Verify responsibilities, please contact DHS.