Kitchen Production Assistant / Lead Cook

Kitchen Production Assistant / Lead Cook

Effortlessly Healthy – Rochester, NYFull-Time

Effortlessly Healthy is looking for an experienced, dependable Kitchen Production Assistant / Lead Cook to support our Head Chef and Kitchen Lead in our growing prepared-meal operation.

This is a hands-on kitchen position for someone who is comfortable working in a fast-paced, high-volume production environment. The right person will be able to move between cooking, prep, proteins, production and general kitchen support based on what the team needs each day.

Responsibilities

• Assist the Head Chef and Kitchen Lead with daily production
• Cook and prepare proteins, vegetables, sides and other menu components
• Grill, roast, bake and batch-cook according to recipes and production sheets
• Complete prep work for upcoming production
• Help keep production on schedule and identify areas where additional support is needed
• Step into different kitchen stations as needed
• Assist with catering and specialty orders when required
• Follow recipes, portion standards and production quantities accurately
• Ensure food is cooked, cooled, labeled and stored properly
• Maintain a clean, organized and food-safe work area
• Help with receiving, organization and kitchen setup when needed
• Communicate shortages, production issues and quality concerns to kitchen leadership
• Support the team during high-volume production days

What We’re Looking For

• Professional cooking or high-volume food-production experience
• Strong basic cooking skills, especially proteins and batch production
• Ability to work quickly and stay organized
• Comfortable taking direction from kitchen leadership
• Willingness to jump in wherever needed
• Dependable attendance and strong work ethic
• Ability to follow recipes and production sheets consistently
• Team-focused attitude
• Experience in meal prep, catering, commissary kitchens, restaurants or institutional food service is preferred

Leadership Structure

This position reports to the Head Chef and Kitchen Lead and is intended to support kitchen leadership with daily execution.

This is not primarily a management position. The focus is on cooking, production, prep and helping the kitchen operate smoothly.

Schedule

Full-time, approximately 40 hours per week.

Compensation

$22–$25/hour, depending on experience and skill level.

Benefits available for eligible full-time employees.

Pay: $21.00 - $25.00 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Health insurance

Work Location: In person