Lead Line Cook — Ba Sa Restaurant
Ba Sa Restaurant is looking for an experienced and dependable Lead Line Cook to join our kitchen team.
Base pay starts at $25/hour. Lead Line Cooks are included in our tip pool system, bringing typical total earnings to approximately $35–$40/hour.
Overtime is available after 40 hours per week. With tips included, overtime hours can bring total earnings to approximately $47.50–$52.50/hour.
Ba Sa is a very busy, high-volume restaurant, especially during our summer season. Our kitchen moves quickly, and being able to stay organized and efficient during a busy service is extremely important. At the same time, we never want being busy to become an excuse for sacrificing the quality of our food. We take a lot of pride in what we serve and care about consistency, presentation, and quality in every dish leaving the kitchen.
We also believe that a strong kitchen comes from having a team that communicates well and supports one another. We are looking for a Lead Line Cook who can be someone the rest of the line can rely on—someone who works with urgency, stays composed during busy services, and is willing to jump in wherever the team needs support.
The Lead Line Cook will work closely with our Kitchen Manager and culinary team to help oversee service, maintain food quality and consistency, and keep the line organized and running efficiently. This is a hands-on leadership position, and we are looking for someone who can lead by example while still working alongside the rest of the team during service.
Responsibilities
- Lead and support the line during lunch and dinner service
- Maintain consistency, quality, presentation, and proper portioning of all dishes
- Keep the kitchen moving efficiently during high-volume services without compromising food quality
- Ensure stations are properly stocked, prepped, organized, and ready before service
- Communicate clearly with the Kitchen Manager, Expo, and other BOH team members
- Help coordinate ticket flow and communicate effectively when the kitchen is busy
- Train and support new line cooks and reinforce recipes, plating, and kitchen procedures
- Monitor prep levels and communicate shortages or product needs before they affect service
- Maintain proper food handling, sanitation, labeling, rotation, and storage standards
- Ensure opening and closing duties are completed thoroughly
- Maintain a clean, organized, and safe kitchen throughout the shift
- Identify problems during service and help the team find solutions quickly
- Set a strong example through reliability, urgency, teamwork, and attention to detail
Qualifications
- Previous professional line cook experience required
- Lead or supervisory kitchen experience strongly preferred
- Comfortable working in a fast-paced, high-volume restaurant
- Strong understanding of kitchen organization, timing, and service flow
- Ability to maintain quality and attention to detail while working quickly
- Ability to remain composed and communicate clearly under pressure
- Dependable, punctual, and willing to take initiative
- Comfortable training and supporting other kitchen team members
- Strong team mentality and willingness to step into different stations when needed
- Weekend and peak-season availability strongly preferred
Compensation & Benefits
- Starting base pay: $25/hour
- Included in Ba Sa’s tip pool system
- Typical total earnings with tips: approximately $35–$40/hour
- Estimated overtime earnings with tips: approximately $47.50–$52.50/hour
- Overtime available after 40 hours per week
- Additional hours may be available during peak season
- Consistent hours available for dependable team members
- Opportunity for continued growth and additional kitchen leadership responsibilities
About Ba Sa
Ba Sa is a contemporary Vietnamese restaurant on Bainbridge Island featuring Vietnamese flavors alongside Pacific Northwest ingredients and modern culinary techniques.
We have built a strong team that works hard and respects one another, and we want our Lead Line Cook to contribute to that environment. We know restaurant work can be demanding, particularly during our busiest months, but we believe a busy kitchen can still be organized, professional, efficient, and a good place to work.
Ultimately, we are looking for someone who cares about the food, cares about their team, and understands how to balance quality with efficiency. We want someone who doesn't just focus on their own station, but pays attention to the entire line and takes pride in helping the kitchen have a successful service.
Pay: $25.00 - $52.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Paid sick time
- Paid training
Work Location: In person
