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Cook
Potomac Hospitality Group  |  Bowie, MD
Full Time  |  Competitive Salary + Full Benefits
THIS IS NOT YOUR AVERAGE KITCHEN
At Potomac Hospitality Group, the kitchen is where culture, craft, and creativity collide. One week you’re plating passed hors d’oeuvres for a dignitary reception. The next you’re executing a multi-course gala dinner for hundreds of guests. The week after that, you’re feeding the talent and crew on a major film production set.
All of our catering is offsite — which means our cooks travel to the event, set up, and execute at the same standard as any world-class kitchen, regardless of the environment. Ballrooms, private estates, film sets, government facilities, cultural venues — you bring the kitchen to the client. That takes a different level of skill, adaptability, and professionalism than working a fixed line. If you can execute under those conditions, you belong here.
If you have serious culinary range — and you want a kitchen where your skills are actually challenged — this is the role for you.
 From intimate private dinners to black-tie galas. From film sets to dignitary receptions. We do it all. Â
ABOUT POTOMAC HOSPITALITY GROUP
Potomac Hospitality Group is a full-service hospitality management company with over 10 years of experience delivering exceptional food and hospitality experiences. We serve corporate clients, government agencies, educational institutions, film and production companies, and private clients across the Metro DC region and beyond. We are an MBE, DBE, and SBE certified company — and we are growing.
Connecting people. Creating impact. One extraordinary experience at a time.
THE ROLE
We are hiring Catering Cooks to join our kitchen team. This is a hands-on, high-output role for culinary professionals who thrive in a fast-paced environment and take pride in delivering flawless food at every service — regardless of scale or format.
You will be part of a team that executes across a wide range of events and service styles. No two weeks look the same. You will need to be adaptable, organized, self-motivated, and deeply committed to quality.
WHAT YOU’LL BE DOING
Kitchen & Event Production
Execute daily production for a high-volume catering operation supporting multiple event formats
Prep, cook, and plate food across a range of cuisines and service styles with technical precision and creative execution
Maintain consistency and quality standards across every dish, every event, every time
Prep and execute food from our production kitchen for offsite events across the Metro DC region and beyond
Set up, execute, and break down kitchen operations at offsite venues — ballrooms, private estates, film sets, government facilities, and cultural venues
Event Catering Execution
Execute offsite catering for events including cocktail receptions, galas, private dinners, corporate functions, and large-scale cultural events — you are the kitchen at the venue
Plate and present food to the standard the event requires — whether that’s passed canapés or a plated five-course dinner
Adapt quickly to event-day changes while maintaining composure and output quality
Work alongside front-of-house and event teams to ensure seamless service execution
Kitchen Standards & Leadership
Maintain an immaculate, organized station at all times — cleanliness is non-negotiable
Follow and enforce food safety, sanitation, and HACCP standards without exception
Support junior kitchen staff through direction, demonstration, and accountability
Communicate proactively with the Executive Chef and kitchen leadership on prep status, inventory needs, and event readiness
Take ownership of your station and your output — we need self-starters, not people who wait to be told what to do next
WHO WE’RE LOOKING FOR
We’re not looking for someone who can only cook one thing well. We need culinary range. The ideal candidate has trained in or worked across multiple cuisine styles and service formats — and is genuinely excited by variety.
You have serious culinary range — strong technique across multiple cuisine styles and service formats
You are fast, efficient, and organized — a clean, well-prepped station is your baseline, not your goal
You are self-motivated — you see what needs to be done and you do it
You lead by example — your standards lift the people around you
You perform under pressure — event days are high-stakes and you bring your best
You are a professional — punctual, reliable, and communicative
You are curious and creative — you engage with menus, contribute ideas, and care about the craft
THE KINDS OF EVENTS YOU’LL WORK
This gives you a sense of the range. No two events are the same, and that’s the point.
Black-tie galas and dignitary receptions
Cocktail receptions and passed hors d’oeuvres service
Intimate private residence dinners
Corporate luncheons and conference catering
Large-scale cultural celebrations and tournaments
Film and television production craft services
Immersive fine dining experiences
Government and institutional food service programs
PREFERRED EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS
2+ years of professional kitchen experience in catering, hotel, fine dining, or high-volume production
Offsite or mobile catering experience strongly preferred — ability to execute at a high level outside of a fixed kitchen environment is essential
Demonstrated ability to cook across multiple cuisine styles and service formats
Experience with large-scale event catering preferred
ServSafe certification required or ability to obtain within 30 days of hire
Culinary degree or formal training preferred — equivalent experience considered
Must be able to pass a Level II background check
Must be able to stand for extended periods and lift up to 50 lbs
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
Competitive salary commensurate with experience
Medical, Vision, and Dental Insurance
401(k) Retirement Plan
Life Insurance
Short-Term Disability
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
A kitchen where your skills will actually be challenged and your range will be used
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