Ugly Dumpling – Bay Plaza, Bronx NY – 270 Baychester Ave Line Cook Job
Now Hiring: Line Cook – Wok, Steamer & Dumpling Station Specialists
Job Title: Line Cook | Hot Line Cook | Wok Station Cook
Location: Ugly Dumpling Kitchen
Address: 270 Baychester Ave, Bronx, NY 10475
Position Type: ☒ Full-Time | ☒ Part-Time
Reporting To: Culinary Manager
Hours: 20-40 hours/week
FLSA Status: ☐ Exempt | ☒ Nonexempt
Pay Range: Competitive Hourly Base Wage + Tips (where applicable)
About the Role: The Heat of the Kitchen
Behind every sizzling wok, perfectly steamed dumpling, and crispy fried bao at Ugly Dumpling is a skilled Line Cook who thrives under pressure. We are looking for a sharp, fast, and detail-driven cook to join our kitchen team. You will be responsible for executing menu items with consistency, speed, and precision — from stir-fries and noodle bowls to steamed buns and fried appetizers. If you have 2+ years of line cook experience (or a burning desire to learn), love the chaos of a busy dinner rush, and take pride in plating beautiful food, we want you on our line.
Line Cook: Duties & Responsibilities
Your daily responsibilities will include (but are not limited to):
- Cook & Plate: Prepare, cook, and plate every menu item following Ugly Dumpling’s recipes and presentation standards — no shortcuts, no excuses.
- Workstation Organization: Maintain a clean, organized, and fully stocked workstation throughout your entire shift (mise en place is everything).
- Quality Control: Constantly monitor food quality and freshness — if it’s not perfect, it doesn’t leave your station.
- Prep Work: Assist with daily prep tasks including chopping vegetables, portioning proteins, making sauces, and assembling ingredients for service.
- Food Safety: Follow all safety, sanitation, and health guidelines (ServSafe principles) to maintain a clean and safe kitchen environment.
- Equipment Operation: Safely and efficiently operate woks, steamers, grills, fryers, flat-tops, and ovens.
- Team Communication: Call out tickets, communicate with expo and other line cooks, and ensure seamless service — no silent stations.
- Special Requests: Handle guest modifications (allergies, spice levels, substitutions) as directed by the Culinary Manager or Corporate Chef.
- High-Volume Support: Jump in to support other team members during busy rushes — we succeed or fail together.
- Pre-Shift Meetings: Participate in daily pre-shift huddles to review 86’d items, daily specials, and operational updates.
- Opening/Closing Duties: Assist with opening (turning on equipment, setting up stations) and closing (deep cleaning, restocking, organizing walk-ins).
- Other Duties: Perform additional tasks as assigned by the Culinary Manager to support kitchen operations.
Line Cook: Requirements & Essential Functions
What you’ll need to succeed in this role:
- Experience: 2+ years of experience as a line cook or in a similar high-volume kitchen role (Asian/pan-Asian experience is a huge plus).
- Speed Under Pressure: Ability to work in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment without compromising quality or safety.
- Knife Skills: Strong, efficient knife skills — you can brunoise shallots and julienne carrots without looking.
- Equipment Knowledge: Familiarity with woks, steamers, fryers, grills, and commercial kitchen equipment.
- Attention to Detail: Obsessive about consistency — every plate should look identical to the last.
- Food Safety Understanding: Working knowledge of food safety and sanitation requirements (temperature danger zone, cross-contamination, proper storage).
- Team Player: Strong communication and time-management skills — you call “behind,” “hot,” and “corner” without being reminded.
- Recipe Adherence: Ability to follow recipes and procedures accurately — no freelancing during service.
- Coachability: Willingness to learn, accept feedback, and grow in a professional kitchen environment.
- Physical Stamina: Ability to stand and walk for extended periods (full 8+ hour shifts) on hard kitchen floors.
- Strength: Ability to lift, push, and pull 30+ lbs (cases of oil, bags of rice, heavy sheet pans).
- Schedule Flexibility: Available for nights, weekends, and holidays — dinner rush is our busiest time.
Why Join Ugly Dumpling as a Line Cook?
- Competitive Pay: Hourly base wage + tips (kitchen tip pool included).
- Learn Asian Cooking Techniques: Master wok hei (breath of the wok), steaming, and dumpling cookery.
- Growth Path: Line Cook → Senior Line Cook → Kitchen Supervisor → Culinary Manager.
- Stable Hours: 20-40 hours/week with consistent scheduling (full-time eligible for benefits where required).
- Free Meals: Enjoy Ugly Dumpling’s menu during your shifts.
- Supportive Team: Work with cooks who actually communicate and help each other.
What Success Looks Like as Our Line Cook
- Your ticket times average under 8 minutes for appetizers and 12 minutes for entrees.
- You never send out a dish you wouldn’t eat yourself.
- You call out low stock before you run out — not after.
- You leave your station cleaner than you found it.
- The Culinary Manager trusts you to run any station (wok, fry, grill, steam).
Physical Requirements (Summary)
- Standing/Walking: 100% of shift
- Lifting/Carrying: Up to 30+ lbs frequently (cases, bus tubs, oil jugs)
- Pushing/Pulling: Heavy equipment (carts, floor mixers)
- Bending/Stooping: Frequent (low-boy fridges, bottom shelving)
- Hot/Humid Conditions: Yes — it’s a working kitchen
Line Cook Station Breakdown (What You’ll Cook)
- Wok Station: Stir-fried noodles, fried rice, sautéed vegetables, signature sauces
- Steamer Station: Soup dumplings (xiaolongbao), bao buns, dim sum
- Fry Station: Crispy dumplings, spring rolls, fried bao, tempura
- Grill/Flat-Top: Grilled meats, seared proteins, pancake-style buns
Equal Opportunity Employer Statement
Ugly Dumpling fully complies with all applicable federal, state, and local anti-discrimination laws by providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and job applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age (40 or older), disability, genetic information (including family medical history), or any other legally protected status. We are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and celebrate diversity in our kitchen.
Ready to fire on the wok? Apply today to become Ugly Dumpling’s next Line Cook — where every ticket is a chance to shine.