**Who We Are**
Benny's is a straightforward neighborhood restaurant in Portland, Maine, specializing in Philly-inspired, Italian-American cuisine. Our approach to hospitality is simple: deliver high-quality, consistent food and ensure every guest feels welcome. We prioritize excellent execution and quality ingredients without being overly flashy. Ultimately, we aim to be a reliable spot where locals can enjoy a weeknight dinner, a quick bar bite, or a casual gathering with friends.
We’re a small, hands-on team that takes pride in what we’re creating and how we show up for each other. If you’re someone who wants to be part of building a respected neighborhood place, where the food is dialed in, the vibe is relaxed, and the work matters. We’d love to have you join us!
**What You’ll Do**
As a Line Cook at Benny’s, you’ll play a key role in bringing our menu to life every single shift. Working alongside the Chef de Cuisine and Lead Cook, you’ll prepare and execute dishes with consistency, care, and attention to detail. From prep to plating, you’ll help ensure every item that leaves the kitchen meets our standards for quality, flavor, and presentation.
You’ll move with urgency during service, keep your station clean and organized, and work collaboratively with the kitchen team to keep things running smoothly. This role is essential to creating a seamless guest experience — because when the kitchen operates with efficiency and pride, it shows up on every plate that hits the table.
**Key Responsibilities**
-Prepare ingredients and menu items according to recipes and standards.
-Cook menu items consistently and efficiently, ensuring proper timing, quality, and presentation.
-Follow directions from the Lead Cook and Chef De Cuisine during service and prep.
-Maintain cleanliness and organization of the kitchen and workstations.
-Wash, prep, and store ingredients properly to minimize waste.
-Follow all health, safety, and sanitation regulations.
-Assist with opening and closing kitchen duties, including cleaning and setup.
-Communicate effectively with Lead Cook, Chef De Cuisine, and other kitchen staff to ensure smooth operations.
-Support team members with tasks during busy periods and help troubleshoot issues as they arise.
-Contribute to a positive, team-oriented kitchen environment.
-Assist in tracking inventory, rotating stock, and reporting supply needs to the Lead Cook or Chef De Cuisine.
**Who You Are**
-You take pride in your work and care about consistency.
-You move with urgency but don’t sacrifice quality.
-You’re a team player. You jump in to help, communicate clearly, and understand that a smooth service takes everyone working together.
-You’re comfortable taking direction and always looking to get better.
-You keep your station clean, organized, and ready because you know a tight kitchen runs on preparation and discipline.
-You’re excited to contribute to the kind of kitchen culture that regulars feel when they walk through the door.
-You show up reliably, ready to work, and ready to contribute to a positive, no-drama environment.
**Qualifications**
-1–3 years of experience in a high-volume kitchen or full-service restaurant.
-Knowledge of basic cooking techniques and kitchen equipment.
-Ability to work efficiently and maintain quality in a fast-paced environment.
-Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
-Knowledge of health, safety, and sanitation standards.
-Strong communication and teamwork skills.
-Ability to work most evenings, weekends, and holidays as required by restaurant operations.
**Position Details**
This is a full-time position offering a competitive hourly wage, along with participation in an equitable Kitchen Fee pool shared amongst our Back of House team. Team members also receive earned paid leave in accordance with Maine Earned Paid Leave Law, as well as staff dining discounts at both Benny’s and Ramona’s.
**How to Apply**
To apply, please reply to the email provided with your resume. We’d also love to hear a little about you—include a few short paragraphs sharing what excites you about joining the team at Benny’s. Then, share one aspect of workplace culture that really matters to you (for example: teamwork, communication, accountability, etc.). Please give an example of how you personally help contribute to that kind of environment on a team.
