Kitchen Assistant

About us:

From innovative menus and striking design to impeccable service and critical attention to detail, at Great Performances, we weave our mission into all we do. Serving New York City for over four decades Great Performances has evolved from a waitress staffing agency to the leading catering, events, and hospitality companies in the greater New York area. We provide food services in an array of celebrated New York City cultural institutions including Jazz at Lincoln Center, Brooklyn Museum, Brooklyn Academy of Music, Wave Hill, and The Apollo Theater.

We are known for full-service catering and events, corporate workplace dining and amenity programs, and large-scale event and festival production. Great Performances is the nation's first caterer to own and operate an organic farm, Katchkie Farm located in Kinderhook, NY. Progressive from the start, we consistently set the pace for industry best practices.

We are seeking highly motivated and talented individuals to join our team and to support our vision, mission, and values through everything they do. If you share our passion and want to make a meaningful impact, we invite you to apply.

Our Vision:
Building Community to Better Our World

Our Mission:
Unleash Joy through Genuine Hospitality

Our Core Values:

Craftsmanship: developing new menus, designs, and moments to deliver engaging experiences to our clients and guests.

People: creating fair access, opportunity, and advancement for everyone. Our employees are our greatest asset.

Sustainability: upholding and elevating standards for sustainable behaviors that support our planet.

Collaboration:

aligning with our clients', colleagues', and community's visions to execute a successful experience.

Doing Good through Food: engaging in action around food access, health and wellness, education, and philanthropy.

We are seeking a Kitchen Assistant to support the Chef in daily food service operations within a corporate office setting, ensuring high standards of food quality and service. This role assists with back-of-house operations and collaborates closely with the Lead Chef on food preparation, inventory management, and waste tracking. The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong organizational skills, the ability to multitask effectively, and a commitment to maintaining cleanliness, food safety, and exceptional service standards.

Responsibilities

• Assist with daily food service operations in a corporate office setting, including receiving deliveries and tracking waste.
• Support food preparation, plating, and daily setup and breakdown processes.
• Maintain a clean, safe, and sanitary work environment in compliance with all food safety and sanitation standards.
• Perform dishwashing duties as needed to support kitchen operations.
• Follow instructions carefully and demonstrate strong attention to detail and focus.
• Maintain punctuality and reliability in attendance and daily responsibilities.
• Demonstrate respect, a willingness to learn, and openness to new procedures to support a cohesive and high-performing team.
• Uphold food quality, consistency, and presentation standards at all times.
• Collaborate with on-site team members to ensure exceptional food quality and service delivery.
• Communicate customer feedback and observations to the management team to support continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods, typically 7-10 hours per shift.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 30 pounds.
• Ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced environment and prioritize tasks effectively.
• Strong multitasking skills with the ability to manage multiple responsibilities simultaneously.
• Knowledge of proper hygiene, food handling protocols, and food safety and sanitation standards.
• A minimum of 1 year of experience in a food and beverage or hospitality environment.
• Strong organizational and inventory management skills.
• High attention to detail with a commitment to maintaining quality and presentation standards.
• Valid Food Handler's Certificate required.

Location: New York, NY

Schedule: Full Time, On-Site

Base salary: $26.00 - $28.00/hour

Benefits: PTO, 401K, Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance, Transit, Safe & Sick time and FSA (Flexible Spending Account)

Must be able to provide valid documentation that you are legally eligible to work in the United States.

Great Performances is an equal opportunity employer. At Great Performances we employ qualified individuals based solely on ability, training, and experience. Great Performances does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment or promotion based on race, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other classification protected by law.