Café Cook – 6 month Fixed Term Contract

Job Title: Café Cook – Fixed Term (6 months)

Team: Café
Scope: Individual Contributor, ES3
Years of Experience: 7+
Location: Ventura, California- Onsite

Compensation: $27.50–$31.00

Patagonia is in business to save our home planet, and the foods we prepare, and share are integral to that mission. As a Café Cook you are a seasoned culinary professional responsible for preparing, cooking, and presenting a wide range of high-quality dishes while helping guide the daily rhythm of the kitchen. You will independently execute menu items, develop specials, ensure culinary excellence, and help mentor junior team members. Your passion for food, commitment to consistency, and ability to maintain a smooth kitchen operation will directly support an exceptional dining experience for our guests.

Responsibilities include dishwashing, deep cleaning, equipment upkeep, proper storage of ingredients, and strict adherence to sanitation standards. Flexibility with scheduling is required. Daily reliability, punctuality, and a positive team attitude are essential.

What You’ll Do:

Culinary Execution & Quality

• Lead preparation, cooking, and presentation of menu items with minimal supervision across Breakfast, Lunch, Grab ’N Go, and Special Events.
• Execute innovative, high-quality dishes that meet or exceed guest expectations.
• Ensure consistent taste, texture, portioning, and presentation across all stations.
• Demonstrate strong technical ability, including advanced culinary techniques (e.g., reductions, confit, emulsification, advanced butchery).
• Collaborate with culinary leadership on new menu items, seasonal specials, and recipe testing.

Leadership & Mentorship

• Provide day-to-day guidance and mentorship to junior cooks on technique, knife skills, prep efficiency, and kitchen organization.
• Foster a culture of teamwork, learning, and continuous improvement.
• Support Café leadership with clear communication, task coordination, and real-time operational adjustments.

Kitchen Operations & Efficiency

• Oversee mise en place, prep lists, and production sheets with accuracy and foresight.
• Maintain inventory levels; ensure proper receiving, storage, and rotation of ingredients.

Guest Experience & Collaboration

• Engage with guests when appropriate to support a welcoming dining environment and address requests or concerns.
• Work closely with front-of-house teams to ensure smooth, coordinated service.
• Conduct regular quality checks to ensure freshness, accuracy, and adherence to standards.

Who You Are:

• Adaptable: Thrives in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
• Entrepreneurial: Comfortable working in the “gray,” being scrappy, and wearing multiple hats.
• Nimble: Able to juggle multiple tasks and meet tight deadlines.
• Team-Oriented: Brings positive energy and collaboration to the kitchen.
• Curious: Driven by constant learning, refinement, and culinary exploration.

Experience You Bring:

• 7+ years of professional cooking experience, ideally in high-volume, specialty, or elevated dining environments.
• Proven leadership experience as a senior cook.
• Advanced culinary skills with deep knowledge of techniques, ingredients, and equipment.
• Strong time-management and organizational abilities, even under pressure.
• Thorough understanding of food safety, allergens, and sanitation practices.
• Creativity and flexibility to adapt to evolving customer needs.
• Excellent communication skills and a collaborative approach.
• Basic computer and administrative skills (production sheets, inventory systems, etc.).

Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift 50 pounds repeatedly and carry up to 50 feet.
• Ability to stand for long periods and perform repetitive chopping, bending, and lifting.
• Comfortable working in a small, sometimes loud kitchen space.
• Ability to wash dishes and assist with cleaning tasks as needed.

Compensation & Benefits

Hiring Range: $27.50–$31.00 per hour (depending on experience and skills).
Patagonia assigns compensation based on local market data and individual qualifications.

Benefits 

Patagonia offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, retirement and leave of absence plans. Benefit plans may vary slightly depending on the nature of your employment.  

Workplace Location Overview

This position is On-Site, requiring employees to work at our Ventura office during standard business hours.

Employee Conduct 
It is the responsibility of every employee to contribute to a positive, inclusive work environment through cooperative and professional interactions with co-workers, customers, and vendors. 

Equal Employment Opportunity

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other factors prohibited by law.