Lead Cook

Do you have a passion for great food, meaningful connection, and serving your community? Lead the kitchen, craft exceptional coffee, and create a café experience people look forward to every day.

Center for Sharing – Lead Cook Job Description

Broetje Family Trust is an association of three foundations collectively stewarding a family legacy of "bearing fruit that will last" through servant leadership, community building, and philanthropy. We commit to: 1) live and teach the ethic of Christ-centered service through servant leadership development; 2) nurture and create new communities of healing and mutual service locally and internationally; and 3) place resources at the service of those communities.

Vida Café is an initiative of The Center for Sharing and is a business-as-ministry providing a nurturing gathering to cultivate relationships while hosting a workforce readiness program for those seeking a second chance.

Our Statement of Faith in Action

Broetje Family Trust is a Christ-centered organization. We embrace the Bible as the central guide for preparing ourselves to become followers of Jesus Christ. We believe that when God's word comes to live in us, we are empowered to live into a new way of thinking. We are transformed as we submit to God's "good and perfect will" (Rom12:1-2). Our hearts and minds compel us to engage the world differently as we learn to love as Jesus did.

We believe we are guided by the Holy Spirit in nurturing the spirit of all living beings through community. While the human spirit is integral to lasting transformation, it is God's Spirit dwelling within that transforms one's inner being to reflect God's love, leading one to become an ambassador of healing and reconciliation in the lives of those served (1Cor 2:11-12; 1 Cor 15:45-47).

The lasting impact of our work can be seen in individuals, families, and communities as they shift their thinking to see the world as God sees it. People come to believe that they are deeply loved, have a divine purpose, and are called to something greater than themselves. This belief inspires service and connection as they reach out to others regardless of differences to work together to achieve God's dream of Shalom.

Position Summary:

The Lead Cook plays a key role in the daily cooking operations of the café, ensuring high-quality food preparation, exceptional customer service, and a welcoming environment for all guests. This position is responsible for preparing and cooking menu items, providing training for all café staff on menu items and production consistency, supporting catering services, and maintaining strict food safety and cleanliness standards.

The Lead Cook oversees efficient kitchen workflows, support inventory and cost management, and collaborates closely with café staff to deliver a consistent and positive customer experience. This role requires strong multitasking ability, attention to detail, and a commitment to maintaining both operational excellence and the organization's mission and values.

This individual will report to the Interim Café Manager and work collaboratively with other café staff. This is a full-time, hourly position at $22-25 per hour depending on experience. Primary work hours Monday to Friday, 6:00AM to 2:30PM, with a 30-minute unpaid lunch break. Work hours may shift depending on café catering schedule.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

• Maintain a high standard of service with a positive, cheerful, and welcoming approach to ensure every customer enjoys their experience.


• Execute daily opening procedures and open the café on time in accordance with established schedule.


• Prepare and cook menu items consistently according to established recipes, ensuring quality, presentation, and portion standards are met.


• Train café staff on preparation and execution of menu items to ensure consistency, accuracy and adherence to recipes.


• Prepare ingredients while maintaining proper storage and handling of all food and supplies in compliance with food safety standards.


• Oversee inventory management and track shrink to support more cost-effective operations.


• Coordinate, prepare, and execute catering services and catered events to ensure high-quality food, timely service, and excellent customer service.


• Respond to customer questions about menu items and available alternatives, and recommend favorites, specials, and add-ons.


• Monitor and document critical food safety metrics, including conducting mandatory temperatures checks of food and food storage equipment, holding areas, heating and cooling units; closely monitor labeling and adhere to all health and food safety regulations.


• Organize daily production with other café staff members based on required cooking, cooling, and marinating times to maximize station output and ensure that all workstations are fully stocked with daily ingredients and cooking equipment.


• Organize prep coolers using strict First-In, First-Out, principles to ensure older batches are cooked first.


• Prepare and serve a variety of beverages, espresso-based drinks, tea, smoothies, milkshakes and other specialty drinks.


• Process customer payments using cash and Square, debit and credit card point of sale system.


• Conduct daily inspections of cooking equipment to ensure proper operation, promptly reporting and addressing any malfunctions.


• Maintain a clean, organized, and spill-free environment behind the counter, and ensure indoor and outdoor tables, chairs, and guest areas are consistently cleaned and fully stocked with necessary supplies, including napkin dispensers.


• Demonstrate a high level of professionalism by maintaining a clean, well-presented appearance and always adhering to dress code and hygiene standards.


• Perform café' closing duties as needed, depending on staffing levels and scheduled hours, including cleaning and sanitizing work areas, securing food and cash, and preparing spaces for the next business day.


• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• Must have, or be working towards obtaining, a valid Washington State Food Worker Card and a ServSafe Certification or equivalent credential.


• Proven experience as a cook with knowledge of various cooking techniques, procedures and methods of cooking such as grilling, baking, stovetop, etc.


• Experience using kitchen equipment safely (grills, gas ovens, cutting tools, cookware, bakeware, small appliances, etc.).


• Must have at least 2 years of experience working high-volume hot lines, specifically operating stoves, flat-tops, and commercial ranges.


• Proven experience working in small kitchens, cafés, or food trucks where multitasking and space optimization are required.


• Knowledgeable in – or able to learn and be trained in – espresso fundamentals, milk steaming, barista tools, and equipment use.


• Creative and detail-oriented approach to food preparation and menu execution.


• Strong organizational skills to be able to prioritize tasks.


• Reliable, self-motivated and able to solve problems and make decisions based on the Broetje Family Trust's mission and core values.


• Bilingual (Spanish/English).

Employment & Benefits

Benefits include paid time off and sick leave, medical, dental, vision, and life insurance, and long-term care disability. Eligible for 401k plan after 90 days of service.

The Center for Sharing is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.