Line Cook

Title: Line Cook

State Role Title: Food Services Technician I

Hiring Range: $17.00 / hr

Pay Band: 1

Agency: Virginia Museum of Fine Arts

Location: MAIN MUSEUM

Agency Website: vmfa.museum

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

At the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (VMFA), we create unique dining experiences.

Amuse Restaurant is a contemporary fine dining restaurant overlooking the Robins Sculpture Garden, featuring an innovative menu and fresh, local ingredients. Just like the works of art in the museum and on the walls of Amuse, visitors delight in new masterpiece dishes and cocktails.
Floris, located in the Pauley Center Parlor, is a unique and inclusive culinary experience based on the traditions and habits of tea culture and service around the world. The seasonal rotating menu is inspired by various tea-centric regions and features expertly curated teas from minority and women-owned Virginia tea vendors.

When dining at Amuse and Floris, every aspect of the meal is a touchpoint, a foundational pinning, evoking the right ambiance, feeling, and desired energy. Our dedicated service professionals bear witness and make possible some of the best days ever for our guests

“…people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” – Maya Angelou

We welcome applications to skilled service professionals who are team-centric and positively energetic to join the museum food service team as a Line Cook. 

This is a non-exempt position without benefits, eligible to work up to approximately 28 hours per week on average and up to 1,450 hours annually (May 1 – April 30).

Why Join the VMFA Food Service Team?

Inclusive Workplace

We are proud of our diverse workforce and vibrant art-filled surroundings. We value your strengths and experiences. Come be yourself!

Flexible Scheduling

The team works to provide reasonable and advanced-scheduling notice to staff within the agreed upon availability. We are open 365 days a year, therefore there are a variety of shifts to work. Amuse is open for lunch service 7 days a week, and offers dinner service on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Floris is open Sunday through Wednesday with daytime seating.

Team-centric

Work with people whose talents shine not only at work but also beyond work hours. Many of our staff are creatives who find an ease in serving others, have an eye for the details, and enjoy the flexibility this position offers.

Mission-Driven

Revenue from Amuse, Floris and other Enterprise operations directly supports museum operations. VMFA is the only art museum in the United States open 365 days a year with free general admission. Our purpose is to collect, preserve, exhibit, and interpret art and to encourage the study of the arts.

Professional Environment

Professionalism is a key tenet in our workplace. We treat each other no less than how we treat our guests. Come create career-supportive relationships with some of the best service professionals in the industry. Learn and grow with us.

Perks

All VMFA staff enjoy free admission to special exhibitions, previews of special exhibitions, employee pricing for select museum programs and classes, and discounts at Amuse, Floris, Best Café and the VMFA Shop.

About the Work

The work is straightforward, working together to offer an elevated dining experience.

The Line Cook assists the kitchen management of Amuse and Floris at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. Reporting to the Amuse Executive Chef, this position prepares food to the chef’s specification as well as assisting kitchen staff with daily operations.

Here is how the Line Cook accomplishes this as part of a team:

• Prepare food to the executive chef’s specifications as well as assisting kitchen staff with daily tasks
• Working independently to help support the Amuse and Floris kitchen teams with prep and line cook duties, as instructed by the chefs
• Cooking menu items in cooperation with the rest of the kitchen staff as well as making sure menu items are served in a timely manner
• Supporting chefs and kitchen staff with projects, inventories, deliveries, kitchen maintenance and cleanings
• Working to maintain a clean, sanitary and safe working environment
• Reporting accidents, issues or policy violations to kitchen leadership
• Supporting the museum’s commitment to provide quality customer service and quality products to our visitors and guests
• Flexibility to move from working on Amuse and Floris menu preparations to helping prepare other foods or undertaking other kitchen tasks, as needed
• Helping prepare foods for Best Cafe and Special Events when directed

Minimum Qualifications

• Food service experience in BOH/kitchen
• Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions and comprehend complex recipes
• Strong communication skills (written/reading/verbal); ability to take feedback well
• Ability to use weights, measures and comprehend recipes
• Knowledge of basic knife skills, chopping, and sautéing, grilling and food prep.
• Understanding of various cooking methods, ingredients, equipment and procedures.
• Ability to handle fast paced, high volume situations in a kitchen
• Good knife skills and knowledge about kitchen equipment
• Ability to independently solve routine problems
• Flexible availability that includes weekends, evenings and holidays
• Ability to work as part of a diverse team; flexible when given different assignments and directions
• Ability to lift or move up to 50 lbs; stand or walk up to 10 hours
• Ability to bend, point, stand, twist, climb, and have dexterity of fingers
• Motivated, team-player

Additional Considerations

• Has familiarity with a wide range of global cuisine and embraces creating multicultural offerings
• Experience with seasonal menus and farm to table ethos
• Experience working with professional kitchen equipment
• Prior line cook experience in a fast-paced, fine dining restaurant or hotel
• ServSafe Food Handler Certification or equivalent
• Knowledge and experience with menu preparation and implementation
• Culinary degree
• Pastry experience

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

Selected candidates must pass a criminal history background check.

Interested individuals must submit an online application. Posting will close at 11:55 pm on on designated closing date.

Please contact the HR office at recruitment@vmfa.museum if you need assistance.

VMFA is an EEO/AA and Virginia Values Veterans (V3) Certified Employer. Diverse and inclusive hiring practices are at the heart of what we do at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts.

Contact Information

Name: Human Resources Services

Phone: please email

Email: recruitment@vmfa.museum

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.