Kitchen Assistant

Position Summary

The Kitchen Assistant plays an essential role in supporting the daily operations of the Altisima Winery culinary team by maintaining the highest standards of cleanliness, sanitation, organization, and operational readiness. This position is responsible for ensuring all kitchen equipment, cookware, dishes, utensils, and service wares are properly cleaned, sanitized, organized, and readily available to support restaurant and event operations.

In addition to stewarding responsibilities, this position provides valuable support to the culinary team through basic food preparation, station assistance, plating, stocking, receiving deliveries, and maintaining a clean, safe, and organized kitchen environment. The ideal candidate demonstrates a strong work ethic, attention to detail, teamwork, and a commitment to delivering exceptional hospitality.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Stewarding & Sanitation

• Collect, sort, rinse, and load dishes, glassware, flatware, cookware, and kitchen utensils into commercial dishwashing equipment.
• Wash pots, pans, sheet trays, and specialty equipment by hand when necessary.
• Assemble, operate, monitor, clean, and properly shut down the commercial dish machine according to established procedures.
• Perform daily dishwasher testing using approved test strips to verify proper chemical concentration and sanitizing temperatures.
• Immediately notify culinary management of any equipment malfunctions or discrepancies involving water temperature, chemical levels, water pressure, or machine performance.
• Maintain cleanliness and sanitation of all dishwashing areas throughout each shift.
• Properly store all clean dishes, cookware, utensils, and equipment in designated locations.

Kitchen Operations Support

• Assist cooks and chefs with food preparation, basic cookery, plating, station setup, and production as assigned.
• Support kitchen service by assisting wherever operational needs require.
• Cover both stewarding and food preparation responsibilities during service periods as directed.
• Complete all assigned opening, closing, and side work responsibilities accurately and on time.

Receiving & Inventory

• Receive and organize deliveries from approved vendors.
• Verify products are properly stored immediately upon receipt.
• Rotate inventory using First-In, First-Out (FIFO) inventory practices.
• Organize dry storage, refrigeration, freezer, and warehouse areas to maintain cleanliness and efficiency.
• Break down cardboard boxes and dispose of recyclable materials in designated recycling containers.

Facility Maintenance & Cleanliness

• Maintain exceptional cleanliness/organization throughout all kitchen, prep, storage, and departmental storage areas.
• Ensure restaurant and events equipment is cleaned, dried, and stored accordingly.
• Clean and sanitize workstations, food preparation surfaces, cooking equipment, refrigerators, shelving, walls, floors, drains, and surrounding work areas.
• Sweep and mop kitchen and warehouse floors throughout the shift as needed.
• Monitor and replenish hand soap dispensers, sanitizer stations, paper towel dispensers, and other sanitation supplies.
• Set up, maintain, and monitor towel and linen collection areas.
• Empty, rotate, and replace kitchen trash receptacles throughout the day and transport waste to designated dumpster locations.
• Transport used fryer oil safely to the designated collection vessel following company safety procedures.
• Leave all work areas clean, organized, sanitized, and prepared for the following shift.

General Responsibilities

• Maintain compliance with all food safety, sanitation, health department, OSHA, Responsible Beverage Service (where applicable), and company policies and procedures.
• Demonstrate professionalism, integrity, and a positive attitude in all interactions with guests, members, vendors, and fellow team members.
• Work collaboratively with all winery departments to support restaurant, tasting room, wine club, events, and winery operations as business needs require.
• Consistently provide a level of service that reflects Altisima Winery's commitment to exceptional hospitality and guest experiences.
• Maintain regular attendance, punctuality, and reliability.
• Take ownership of assigned responsibilities and proactively identify opportunities to improve efficiency, cleanliness, organization, and guest service.
• Assist with special events, winery functions, inventory projects, deep cleaning, and operational initiatives as assigned.
• Maintain all equipment and company property with care and immediately report maintenance, safety, or operational concerns.
• Participate in required meetings, training sessions, certifications, and ongoing professional development.
• Maintain a professional appearance and adhere to company dress code and grooming standards.
• Follow all company policies outlined in the Employee Handbook.
• Perform other duties, projects, and responsibilities as assigned by management, including responsibilities outside the primary scope of this position that support the successful operation of Altisima Winery.

Additional Responsibilities

Job descriptions are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, or skills required. Team members may be assigned additional responsibilities, projects, or cross-functional duties based on operational needs, business demands, or organizational priorities.

Qualifications

• Previous dishwashing, stewarding, or kitchen experience preferred but not required.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced hospitality environment.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team.
• Must be dependable, flexible, and willing to assist wherever needed.
• Basic understanding of food safety and sanitation practices preferred.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods throughout the shift.
• Frequently lift and carry up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to bend, kneel, stoop, reach, push, and pull repeatedly.
• Ability to work in hot, wet, humid, and fast-paced kitchen environments.
• Comfortable working around commercial kitchen equipment, cleaning chemicals, and sanitation products while following established safety procedures.

Work Environment

This position operates in a commercial kitchen and winery hospitality environment. Weekend, evening, holiday, and special event availability is required based on business demands.

Core Values

Employees of Altisima Winery are expected to demonstrate:

• Commitment to Excellence
• Hospitality-Driven Service
• Accountability and Ownership
• Integrity and Professionalism
• Respect for Guests, Members, Fellow Team Members, and Company Property
• Teamwork and Cross-Department Collaboration
• Adaptability and a Willingness to Assist Wherever Needed
• Continuous Learning and Improvement
• Pride in Maintaining a Safe, Clean, and Welcoming Environment

Altisima Winery is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected classification under applicable federal, state, or local law.

As a member of the Altisima Winery team, every employee is expected to contribute to a culture of hospitality, professionalism, accountability, and teamwork. Team members may be asked to assist other departments during periods of business need and are expected to perform additional duties that support the overall success of the winery while remaining within the scope of their abilities and training.

Job Types: Full-time, Part-time

Pay: $17.00 - $19.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Employee discount

Shift:

• Day shift
• Evening shift

Work Location: In person