Prep Cook/Sr. Prep Cook @ Viet Nom Nom - Chicago, IL
Reports to:
Owner, Kitchen Operations Manager, Shift Supervisors
Company Background:
Viet Nom Nom is a Vietnamese-inspired food service company, which was founded in 2015. The company started in a shared kitchen, focusing on pop-up events and its budding Northwestern University partnership -- the company eventually opened its first brick & mortar location in Downtown Evanston in 2017. In the next 3 years, Viet Nom Nom developed a significant and large-scale partnership with Northwestern, which involved becoming a preferred catering vendor, serving grab & go meals all across campus, and even operating a kiosk at the football stadium. The storefront in Evanston continues to serve as Viet Nom Nom’s flagship location – but we have expanded with 3 locations in 2020 in Evanston and Chicago + a new campus location in 2022!
Viet Nom Nom is run by a hands-on owner with a successful business background, entrepreneurial experience, and strong food acumen. He has 7+ years in corporate banking & strategy experience, previously owned an event planning, and has held several board positions with community & non-profit organizations. His passion is to create a positive, family-style, and successful work environment that then allows the team to have a positive effect on the community around them.
Summary of Opportunity:
We are looking for enthusiastic and experienced Prep Cooks to support kitchen operations at our commissary kitchen within The Hatchery, which is located at 135 N Kedzie. Food production at The Hatchery primarily supports Viet Nom Nom’s operations in Evanston + local catering, festivals, pop-ups, and more.
You will work primarily at The Hatchery, but the role requires flexibility to support operations at offsite events, festivals, and pop-ups. We are looking for skilled cooks who love being around and serving food, have experience handling a knife and other kitchen equipment, and who are quick learners eager to hone their skills.
Part time and full time positions are available. Primary operating hours are Mon-Fri, from 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM, but again, weekend flexibility is required for special events and operations.
Duties & Responsibilities:
Our Prep Cooks are responsible for the dedicated daily preparation of food products including meats, poultry, tofu, vegetables, sauces, stocks, and finished menu items. Our Prep Cooks ensure we use fresh ingredients, rotate foods properly, follow health and sanitation guidelines and prep recipes to standards to maintain consistency.
This job description is intended to illustrate the main duties and areas of responsibility of the Prep Cook. It is not intended to be exhaustive and you are advised that the duties and responsibilities may change from time to time.
Prep Cook Requirements & Qualifications:
Viet Nom Nom Rockstars Are People Who:
We invest in our team members and want them to learn, grow, and move up into supervisory or management positions. Join us for an opportunity to be a part of an expanding company and grow in your skills and career!
Highlights:
Apply: Send resume to [email protected]
Owner, Kitchen Operations Manager, Shift Supervisors
Company Background:
Viet Nom Nom is a Vietnamese-inspired food service company, which was founded in 2015. The company started in a shared kitchen, focusing on pop-up events and its budding Northwestern University partnership -- the company eventually opened its first brick & mortar location in Downtown Evanston in 2017. In the next 3 years, Viet Nom Nom developed a significant and large-scale partnership with Northwestern, which involved becoming a preferred catering vendor, serving grab & go meals all across campus, and even operating a kiosk at the football stadium. The storefront in Evanston continues to serve as Viet Nom Nom’s flagship location – but we have expanded with 3 locations in 2020 in Evanston and Chicago + a new campus location in 2022!
- Downtown Evanston: Storefront at 618 ½ Church St in Evanston
- Norris Center @ Northwestern University: Food Court Kiosk, 1999 Campus Dr in Evanston
- Tech Express @ Northwestern University: Food Court Kiosk, 2145 Sheridan Rd in Evanston
- The Hatchery: Commissary & Ghost Kitchen within The Hatchery, 135 N. Kedzie in Chicago
Viet Nom Nom is run by a hands-on owner with a successful business background, entrepreneurial experience, and strong food acumen. He has 7+ years in corporate banking & strategy experience, previously owned an event planning, and has held several board positions with community & non-profit organizations. His passion is to create a positive, family-style, and successful work environment that then allows the team to have a positive effect on the community around them.
Summary of Opportunity:
We are looking for enthusiastic and experienced Prep Cooks to support kitchen operations at our commissary kitchen within The Hatchery, which is located at 135 N Kedzie. Food production at The Hatchery primarily supports Viet Nom Nom’s operations in Evanston + local catering, festivals, pop-ups, and more.
You will work primarily at The Hatchery, but the role requires flexibility to support operations at offsite events, festivals, and pop-ups. We are looking for skilled cooks who love being around and serving food, have experience handling a knife and other kitchen equipment, and who are quick learners eager to hone their skills.
Part time and full time positions are available. Primary operating hours are Mon-Fri, from 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM, but again, weekend flexibility is required for special events and operations.
Duties & Responsibilities:
Our Prep Cooks are responsible for the dedicated daily preparation of food products including meats, poultry, tofu, vegetables, sauces, stocks, and finished menu items. Our Prep Cooks ensure we use fresh ingredients, rotate foods properly, follow health and sanitation guidelines and prep recipes to standards to maintain consistency.
- Refer to Task & Prep Lists at the start of each shift for assigned duties.
- Work quickly and accurately to prepare a variety of proteins, vegetables, noodles, and other food items (menu items and sauces)
- Understand and comply consistently with our standard portion sizes, cooking methods, quality standards and kitchen rules, policies and procedures.
- Portion food products according to standard portion sizes and recipe specifications.
- Store and label all food properly.
- Maintain clean and sanitary work areas, including tables, shelves, walls, sinks, grills, ovens, range, mixing & processing machines, fridges & freezers.
- Open and close the kitchen and stations properly, adhering strictly to health and sanitation standards. Assists others in closing the kitchen.
- Prepare customer meals: dine-in, carryout & delivery, and catering orders
- Utilize point of sale register/terminal, 3rd party delivery tablets, and other forms for technology within the kitchen
- Ensure high quality customer service: take orders, explain menu, use allergy matrix, answer questions & receive feedback.
- Attend all scheduled employee meetings and bring suggestions for improvement.
- Assist with periodic offsite operations, pop-ups, festivals, sampling events.
- Promptly report equipment and food quality problems to Kitchen Manager.
- Inform leadership immediately of product shortages.
- Use Viet Nom Nom recipe book and build sheets for preparing all products. Does not rely on memory alone!
- Maintain a positive and productive attitude and contribute to team dynamic of kitchen.
- Perform other related duties as assigned by the team manager-on-duty.
This job description is intended to illustrate the main duties and areas of responsibility of the Prep Cook. It is not intended to be exhaustive and you are advised that the duties and responsibilities may change from time to time.
Prep Cook Requirements & Qualifications:
- A minimum of 1-3 years experience in kitchen preparation and cooking
- Food Handler Certificate required (able to get it within 30 days of employment)
- Valid Food Manager Certificate a major plus -- subject to higher earning/wages
- Valid Driver’s License a major plus -- subject to higher earning/wages (company vehicle is provided)
- Must be highly skilled in the use of knives, grills, ovens, stovetops, and a variety of other kitchen equipment.
- Excellent communication and listening skills
- Be able to adapt to changing customer volume levels with a sense of urgency
- Understanding of, and compliance with, safety, sanitation and food handling procedures
- Ability to work in and contribute to a team & fast-paced environment
- Commitment to quality service, and food and beverage knowledge
- Ability to handle knives & sharp objects and perform cutting skills on work surfaces, topped with
- Be able to reach, bend, stoop and frequently lift up to 50 pounds
- Be able to work in a standing position for long periods of time
Viet Nom Nom Rockstars Are People Who:
- Take pride in their work and have a relentless work ethic
- Go the extra mile and do not cut corners
- Want to be a part of something BIG
- Demonstrate the ability to be resourceful and take initiative
- Have positive, can-do attitudes
- Enjoy being around and communicating with others
- Care about other team members and the community (inside and outside of the kitchen)
- Love to learn, love new challenges
- Want to grow and develop a career path for themselves
- Have a high standard of excellence for themselves and the company
We invest in our team members and want them to learn, grow, and move up into supervisory or management positions. Join us for an opportunity to be a part of an expanding company and grow in your skills and career!
Highlights:
- Rate of Pay: $15-$17 plus tips (on average, gratuity adds extra $1-3/hour). Negotiable hourly wage based on experience, certifications and ability to legally drive. We offer paid training.
- Hours of Operation: 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM (flexibility required)
- Work Locations: 135 N Kedzie (Primary)
- Job Perks:
- Meals: Free shift meal + 50% off meals when not on shift
- Celebrations: Gifts for birthdays & company anniversaries
- Continuing Education: Opportunities for support of continuing education
- Growth: We're growing like crazy and adding all sorts of new operations & locations -- means tremendous growth potential into supervisory and management positions at this and other locations
- Team Culture: Fun work environment, flexible scheduling, and people-first leadership & culture
- Meals: Free shift meal + 50% off meals when not on shift
Apply: Send resume to [email protected]