Company Chemist Spirits, 2 Brook Street, Asheville, NC 28803 Job Type Full-time, hourly. 4-5 days per week, including evenings and weekends About Us Chemist Spirits is a women-owned distillery in Asheville, and the company behind Antidote Cocktail Lounge and Coffee Bar. As a locally operated hospitality business, we prioritize collaboration, quality craft, continual growth, and genuine hospitality toward our guests and our team. Chemist of Biltmore Village is our second location. It brings three concepts under one roof: The Parlor, a coffee and cocktail bar; the Chemist Mercantile and Tasting Room; and Penny Black, the speakeasy and cocktail lounge. The Role We're hiring a Kitchen Lead to build and run the food program at Penny Black. This is a hands-on role with real creative ownership. You'll lead daily prep and kitchen operations, execute small plates during service, and help shape the menu from the start. You'll also work closely with the bar team on the overlap between food and cocktails: house-made components, garnishes, and shared prep. Food and drink are treated the same way here: intentionally, with craft, and with the guest experience at the center. If you're a skilled cook who's curious about craft spirits and cocktail culture, and you want to build a program rather than step into one, this might be the right fit. This is a four-five day-a-week schedule; evenings and weekends are required. What You'll Do Lead daily food prep and kitchen operations during scheduled shifts Plate and serve small plates during bar service with care and consistency Help build the food menu, prep lists, and kitchen systems from the ground up Collaborate with the bar team on cocktail prep ingredients, house-made components, and cross-program items Maintain kitchen cleanliness, organization, and food safety standards Manage par levels, communicate ordering needs to management, and track waste Train BOH team members on prep, plating standards, and kitchen expectations Bring genuine hospitality to the role, including healthy teamwork, and occasional direct guest interaction What We're Looking For Solid line cook or prep cook experience; you're comfortable owning a station A genuine interest in food as craft, with an eye for menu development and thoughtful, beautiful plating Curiosity about cocktails, spirits, and the kind of detail-oriented beverage program we run Proactive and independent. You see what needs doing and handle it, and you think creatively when the answer isn't obvious Willingness to learn and contribute beyond a traditional kitchen role Strong work ethic, good communication, and a collaborative spirit Consistent evening and weekend availability Experience with small plates, shareables, boards, or a similar format is a plus ServSafe certification is a plus Why Work With Us? A kitchen role with independence and actual creative ownership, not just execution A chance to build a food program from day one rather than inherit one Close collaboration with an award-winning cocktail program and distillery A team that takes food and drink equally seriously As Chemist grows, there will be opportunities to grow with us! Compensation & Benefits $25+/hr based on experience Accrued Paid Time Off (PTO) Health, Dental & Vision Insurance Employee Discounts Paid Training If you're excited about building a new kitchen program and bringing your craft to a new Chemist location, we'd love to hear from you!

Pay:

$24.00 - $28.00 per hour

Benefits:

Dental insurance Health insurance Paid time off Vision insurance Application Question(s): If willing, please share the contact information for a couple of professional references: Do you have experience in a restaurant or bar opening? Please include a paragraph describing your interest in Chemist Spirits and why you would be a good fit for this position here!

Experience:

Prep Cook:

1 year (Required)

Chef:

1 year (Required)

Work Location:

In person