The Finchnest is a new, independently owned restaurant in Margaretville, NY, built around a simple idea: serve food and drinks we genuinely care about in a place where people feel comfortable, welcomed, and well taken care of. We are looking for a Sous Chef / Line Cook to join our opening kitchen team. This position will work directly alongside Chef/Owner Tommy Finch and is an opportunity for an experienced cook—or an ambitious cook ready for the next step—to play an important role in building our kitchen from the beginning. We care deeply about the quality of the food we serve, but we also care about how we work together to make it. The Role This is a hands-on cooking position. You'll be responsible for preparing your station for service, executing dishes accurately and consistently, maintaining a clean and organized workspace, and working closely with the Chef and the rest of the team to keep service moving. Depending on experience, the position may also take on additional Sous Chef-level responsibilities, including helping organize prep, monitoring product quality, assisting with inventory, receiving orders, training newer employees, and helping ensure the kitchen is prepared for service.

Responsibilities will include:

Setting up and maintaining a clean, organized, properly stocked station Preparing and cooking menu items according to established recipes and standards Executing dishes accurately, consistently, and efficiently during service Completing daily prep lists and communicating prep needs to the Chef Practicing proper mise en place and anticipating what will be needed before and during service Working multiple tickets simultaneously while maintaining accuracy and attention to detail Communicating clearly with the Chef and other members of the kitchen and FOH teams Maintaining appropriate portioning, seasoning, presentation, and quality standards Properly labeling, dating, rotating, cooling, storing, and handling food Following FIFO procedures and helping minimize unnecessary food waste Maintaining a clean and sanitary station throughout service—not simply cleaning at the end of the night Participating in opening, closing, and regular deep-cleaning responsibilities Receiving and properly putting away deliveries Helping maintain organized walk-ins, refrigeration, dry storage, and prep areas Following all applicable food-safety and sanitation requirements Helping other stations when needed and contributing to the success of the kitchen as a whole Candidates taking on more senior Sous Chef responsibilities may also assist with inventory, ordering, prep planning, training, quality control, and maintaining kitchen standards. An Opportunity to Learn This position is ideal for someone who has two or more years of professional cooking experience in fine dining or someone with two or more years of experience in a more casual kitchen who is ready to take their skills further. You don't need to walk through the door knowing everything. You do need to be curious, hardworking, receptive to feedback, and genuinely interested in becoming a better cook. You'll work directly alongside Chef Tommy, providing consistent opportunities to ask questions, receive feedback, and develop your technique. Depending on your experience and interests, there may also be opportunities to develop skills beyond the line, including butchery, fabrication, sauce work, menu preparation, product utilization, and other culinary techniques. We want someone who is interested not only in learning how we prepare something, but eventually understanding why we do it that way. Who We're Looking For Restaurant kitchens require urgency, awareness, and the ability to make decisions quickly. We're looking for someone who can work hard and move fast without allowing the pressure of service to affect how they treat the people around them.

The right person:

Has at least two years of professional cooking experience Has a genuine interest in food and improving their culinary skills Has a can-do attitude and is willing to jump in where needed Can manage multiple tasks and priorities simultaneously Thinks quickly and makes good decisions under pressure Remains calm and focused during busy services Understands the importance of mise en place and preparation Works cleanly, efficiently, and with attention to detail Communicates clearly when they need something or see a potential problem Takes direction and constructive feedback well Follows through on assigned responsibilities Takes pride in the quality and consistency of their work Respects ingredients, equipment, coworkers, and the restaurant Understands that cleaning and organization are part of being a professional cook Is willing to help teammates rather than saying, "That's not my station" Fine-dining experience is preferred but not required . A cook with a solid foundation, strong work ethic, good attitude, and genuine desire to learn is absolutely encouraged to apply. Our Kitchen Culture We take the work seriously. We don't believe that requires taking ourselves too seriously—or treating people poorly. This is not a kitchen where yelling, throwing things, humiliation, or intimidation are considered acceptable ways to manage people. Restaurants can be stressful. Tickets come in quickly. Mistakes happen. Something inevitably goes wrong at the worst possible moment. Our expectation is that we communicate, solve the problem, learn from it, and keep moving. We understand that we are all on the same team . We want to build a kitchen where people work hard, hold themselves and one another to high standards, help when someone is in the weeds, and make an effort to set the next person up for success. Chef Tommy will work directly alongside the kitchen team. You'll have consistent support, training, feedback, and the opportunity to learn while you work. Compensation $22-$27 per hour + tips , depending on experience and the level of responsibility assumed within the kitchen. Physical Requirements & Working Conditions Professional kitchens are physically demanding environments. With or without reasonable accommodation, employees must be able to perform the essential functions of the position, which may include: Standing and walking for extended periods throughout a shift Frequently bending, reaching, twisting, pushing, pulling, squatting, and carrying Safely lifting and carrying up to 50 pounds Moving cases of food, stock pots, sheet pans, equipment, and restaurant supplies Repeatedly climbing and descending stairs Performing repetitive motions associated with chopping, cutting, stirring, plating, lifting, and food preparation Safely handling knives, slicers, and other commercial kitchen tools and equipment Working around commercial ranges, ovens, fryers, grills, hot pans, boiling liquids, and other high-temperature equipment Working around open flames and hot cooking surfaces Working in an environment that may become hot and humid , particularly during busy service Tolerating normal commercial-kitchen conditions including heat, steam, smoke, grease, noise, wet or slippery surfaces, and temperature changes Entering and working briefly in walk-in refrigeration and freezer areas Maintaining awareness and working safely around other employees in a fast-moving kitchen environment All employees are expected to follow established safety, sanitation, food-handling, and equipment-use procedures. Reasonable accommodations will be considered for qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with applicable law. Working at The Finchnest The Finchnest is owner-operated, and the owners work alongside the staff . We genuinely care about the food we serve, the drinks we make, the people who walk through our doors, and the experience our employees have while working here. We're looking for people who want to become part of a restaurant they're proud of—not simply clock in, get through service, and go home. If you're already a strong cook, we'd like to give you the opportunity to take on more responsibility. If you've built a solid foundation and are hungry to learn more, we'd like to help you develop. Either way, we're looking for someone who cares about their craft, takes pride in their work, and understands that a successful kitchen is built by people working together. Equal Opportunity Employment The Finchnest is an equal opportunity employer. We consider qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, sex, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, genetic information, marital or familial status, military or veteran status, domestic violence victim status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, New York State, or local law. The Finchnest is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities and for other needs protected by applicable law.

Pay:

$22.00 - $27.00 per hour

Benefits:

Paid time off

Work Location:

In person