POSITION SUMMARY
The Line Cook is responsible for preparing, cooking, and plating menu items to Ampersand's recipe and quality standards while maintaining a clean, safe, and organized station. Working the line during service, the Line Cook executes food consistently and efficiently, supports the flow of the kitchen, and upholds the hospitality and craft that define the Ampersand experience across every location.
REPORTING & ESCALATION
The Line Cook reports to the Shift Lead or Kitchen Lead on duty, with a dotted-line relationship to the District Manager. During any incident, the standard Ampersand escalation chain applies: 911 (emergency) → Shift Lead → District Manager → VP of Operations → HR → Founder on-call
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Food Preparation & Execution
- Recipe adherence — prepared, cooked, and plated menu items according to established recipes, portioning, and presentation standards.
- Prep & mise — completed prep lists, par-level builds, and mise en place before each service.
- Line execution — worked assigned station(s) efficiently during peak volume while maintaining ticket times and quality.
- Quality checks — verified food temperatures, freshness, and quality prior to plating; rejected product that does not meet standard.
Food Safety & Sanitation
- Compliance — followed all HACCP, ServSafe, and local health-code requirements; maintained accurate temperature and label logs.
- Standards — held cold storage at ≤40°F and used sanitizer at 200–400 ppm; documented per station checklists.
- Cleanliness — maintained a clean, organized station and completed opening, mid-shift, and closing sanitation duties.
- Storage — practiced proper FIFO rotation, storage, labeling, and dating of all product.
Teamwork & Operations
- Communication — communicated clearly with the line, expo, and front-of-house to ensure smooth, timely service.
- Inventory — supported inventory counts, waste tracking, and restocking; flagged low par levels to the Shift Lead.
- Equipment — assisted with equipment care and reported maintenance issues promptly.
- Culture — contributed to a positive, respectful, and safety-first kitchen culture.
QUALIFICATIONS
Required
- Minimum 1 year of line cook or high-volume kitchen experience.
- Valid Food Handler certification (or ability to obtain within 30 days of hire).
- Working knowledge of station cooking, knife skills, and standard prep techniques.
- Ability to read tickets, follow recipes, and work at pace under pressure.
- Reliable, punctual, and able to work a variable schedule, including a minimum of two (2) weekends per month and holidays as scheduled.
Preferred
- Experience in a café, scratch-kitchen, or multi-unit hospitality environment.
- Familiarity with airport or high-security venue operations (for Amp Air).
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
- Able to stand and move for shifts of up to 8–10 hours.
- Able to lift and carry up to 50 lbs and work in hot, fast-paced conditions.
- Frequent bending, reaching, and repetitive motion; exposure to heat, steam, and cold storage.
AMP AIR (DFW AIRPORT) — ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
This section applies only to team members assigned to the Amp Air location inside DFW International Airport.
These requirements are in addition to all responsibilities and qualifications listed above.
- Airport badging — must obtain and maintain a valid DFW Airport security badge (SIDA/AOA). This requires passing a criminal history records check (CHRC), a Security Threat Assessment, and fingerprinting through the airport badging office.
- Transportation — responsible for reliable transportation to and from DFW Airport, including navigating employee parking, shuttle, and terminal access for every scheduled shift.
- Security screening — must build in additional time each shift to clear TSA employee screening and reach the location on time; late arrivals due to screening are not excused.
- Compliance — required to comply with all DFW Airport Authority, TSA, and AMPM Office badge-use and badge-return procedures at separation, per the Employee Handbook.
- Badge as condition — badge eligibility is a condition of employment at Amp Air; loss or denial of badging may result in reassignment (if available) or separation.
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
Competitive hourly rate based on experience. Team members receive staff meals and discounts on Ampersand merchandise and products. Ampersand is an equal-opportunity employer committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace.
Pay: $13.00 - $19.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Employee discount
- Flexible schedule
- Paid training
Work Location: In person
