Ugly Dumpling Prep Cook Job New Hyde Park, NY, 1400 Union Turnpike, New Hyde Park, NY, 11040
Now Hiring: Prep Cook – Kitchen Support & Ingredient Specialist | Ugly Dumpling
Job Title: Prep Cook | Kitchen Prep | Ingredient Specialist | Line Cook Support
Location: Ugly Dumpling Kitchen
Position Type: ☒ Full-Time | ☒ Part-Time | ☐ Seasonal | ☐ Contractor | ☐ Intern
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 Foundation of Every Great Dish
At Ugly Dumpling, every perfect dumpling, every flavorful sauce, and every beautifully plated dish starts with one person: the Prep Cook. You are the unsung hero of the kitchen — the one who ensures that every ingredient is washed, chopped, measured, and ready to go before service even begins. You’ll prepare dumpling fillings, signature sauces, fresh vegetables, and more with precision and care. If you love working with your hands, take pride in organization, and want to learn the art of Asian cuisine from the ground up, we want you on our prep team.
Why Join Ugly Dumpling as a Prep Cook?
- Competitive Pay: Hourly base wage + tips (kitchen tip pool included).
- Learn Culinary Skills: Master knife skills, recipe execution, and Asian ingredient knowledge.
- Growth Path: Prep Cook → Line Cook → Senior Line Cook → Kitchen Supervisor → Culinary Manager.
- Stable Hours: 20-40 hours/week with consistent scheduling.
- Free Meals: Enjoy Ugly Dumpling’s famous menu during your breaks.
- Supportive Team: Work in a kitchen where teamwork and respect are non-negotiable.
- No Late Nights: Prep shifts typically end before dinner rush (though some evening prep may be required).
Prep Cook: Duties & Responsibilities
Your daily responsibilities will include (but are not limited to):
- Ingredient Preparation: Wash, chop, slice, dice, mince, and measure ingredients according to Ugly Dumpling’s recipes and prep lists — with precision and consistency.
- Dumpling Filling Assembly: Assemble dumpling fillings (pork, chicken, vegetable, soup gel), signature sauces, marinades, and other components with careful attention to detail.
- Storage & Labeling: Ensure all prepared items are properly labeled, dated, and stored in walk-in coolers and freezers to maintain maximum freshness and food safety.
- Station Setup & Breakdown: Assist with setting up and breaking down prep stations at the start and end of shifts — cleaning surfaces, organizing tools, and restocking supplies.
- Timely Completion: Ensure that all prep work is completed in a timely manner to support the line cooks and kitchen team during service.
- Recipe Adherence: Follow Ugly Dumpling’s recipes and guidelines to ensure consistency and quality in every batch.
- Food Safety Compliance: Adhere to food safety and sanitation standards, including proper handling, storage, and temperature logging of all ingredients.
- Sanitization: Clean and sanitize workstations, cutting boards, knives, tools, and equipment regularly to maintain a safe kitchen environment.
- Waste Management: Dispose of waste and recycling properly to keep the kitchen clean, organized, and pest-free.
- Team Communication: Communicate effectively with the kitchen team to prioritize tasks and ensure smooth operations during prep and service.
- Inventory Reporting: Inform the Culinary Manager or Corporate Chef of any shortages, equipment issues, or quality concerns before they become problems.
- Cross-Training Support: Assist with other kitchen tasks as needed, including line cooking or dishwashing during busy periods (cross-training opportunity).
- Other Duties: Perform additional tasks as assigned by the Culinary Manager to support kitchen operations.
Prep Cook: Requirements & Essential Functions
What you’ll need to succeed in this role:
- Experience: Previous experience in a kitchen or food preparation role preferred, but not required — we will train the right candidate.
- Recipe Following: Ability to follow instructions and recipes accurately — no guessing.
- Organizational Skills: Strong organizational skills and obsessive attention to detail — everything has its place.
- Knife Skills: Basic knife skills and familiarity with kitchen equipment (food processor, mandoline, scales) are a plus.
- Food Safety Knowledge: Basic understanding of food safety and sanitation standards (or willingness to learn).
- Speed & Efficiency: Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and manage time effectively to meet prep deadlines.
- Team Attitude: Team player with a positive attitude and willingness to learn — no egos in our kitchen.
- Physical Stamina: Ability to stand and walk for extended periods (up to 8–10 hours per shift).
- Lifting: Ability to lift and carry up to 25–50 pounds (cases of produce, bags of flour, large mixing bowls).
- Physical Movements: Frequent bending, reaching, and repetitive movements (chopping, stirring, lifting) in a fast-paced environment.
- Environmental Adaptability: Ability to work in varying conditions, including heat, cold (walk-in coolers), and high noise levels.
- Flexible Schedule: Must be able to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed.
What Success Looks Like as Our Prep Cook
- All prep work is completed before service begins — line cooks never wait on you.
- Your ingredients are consistently cut to the same size and quality — every time.
- You never run out of prepped items during service because you anticipate what’s needed.
- Your workstation is clean, organized, and sanitized at all times.
- You catch shortages and quality issues before they affect the menu.
- The Culinary Manager trusts you to train new prep cooks on your station.
Prep Cook: What You’ll Prep (Menu Highlights)
- Dumpling Fillings: Pork, chicken, shrimp, vegetable, and soup gel for xiaolongbao
- Sauces & Marinades: Dipping sauces, stir-fry sauces, marinades for proteins
- Vegetables: Fresh produce — washed, chopped, portioned for wok and garnish
- Noodles & Rice: Portioned and prepped for stir-fry and rice bowls
- Bubble Tea Ingredients: Brewed teas, syrups, toppings (boba, jellies, popping boba)
- Garnishes: Green onions, cilantro, sesame seeds, chili crisps
Physical Requirements (Summary)
- Standing/Walking: 100% of shift (8–10 hours)
- Lifting/Carrying: Up to 25–50 lbs frequently (produce cases, flour bags, mixing bowls)
- Bending/Stooping: Frequent (low-boy fridges, bottom shelving, floor-level storage)
- Repetitive Motion: Constant (chopping, stirring, peeling, portioning)
- Environmental Conditions: Heat (near stoves, ovens), cold (walk-in coolers/freezers), high noise levels (kitchen equipment, ventilation)
Schedule & Availability
- Full-Time: 30-40 hours/week (eligible for benefits where required by law)
- Part-Time: 15-25 hours/week (flexible scheduling)
- Typical Shifts: Morning prep (6:00 AM – 2:00 PM), Mid-day prep (9:00 AM – 5:00 PM), Evening prep (12:00 PM – 8:00 PM)
- Required Availability: Evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed (prep is required 7 days a week)
- Salary: $17 – $18 Per hour
About Ugly Dumpling: Our Story
From a modest street snack to a statement dish representing Chinese culinary culture on the world stage, the history of Xiao Long Bao (Soup Dumplings) resembles the tale of an ugly duckling turning into a swan. At Ugly Dumpling, our commitment is to go beyond its boundaries and cultivate a new gastronomic journey — with the most authentic flavors of Chinese cuisine blended with contemporary creativity and a little extra imagination.
Inspired by the bustling food streets of Shanghai and the rich history of family cookbooks of old and modern Chinese cuisine, we are dedicated to reimagining those most favored local recipes by curating new, exciting, and playful experiences for our diners today. Whether it’s at our dine-in locations or our “Grab & Dip” fast-service spots, Ugly Dumpling invites you to join us in the world of exciting authentic flavors re-imagined.
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 chop, prep, and create? Apply today to become Ugly Dumpling’s next Prep Cook — where every ingredient is treated with respect.
Ugly Dumpling is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We participate in E-Verify where required by law.