Prep Cook in Colorado Springs, Colorado at My Neighbor Felix V Corp

WHY MY NEIGHBOR FELIX

My Neighbor Felix is a vibrant, Mexican-inspired restaurant built around genuine hospitality, bold flavors, handcrafted cocktails, and an energetic atmosphere. Our team creates welcoming, memorable experiences that feel personal, lively, and attentive rather than scripted. We value connection, product knowledge, professionalism, accountability, teamwork, and the confidence to anticipate what a guest needs before they ask.

JOB OVERVIEW

The Prep Cook is an essential member of the My Neighbor Felix culinary team and is responsible for preparing ingredients, maintaining organization, and supporting the daily operations of the kitchen. Under the direction of restaurant leadership, the Prep Cook prepares food items according to Company recipes, specifications, food safety standards, and quality expectations while ensuring ingredients are properly labeled, stored, rotated, and available for service. This role contributes directly to the success of the culinary team by maintaining efficient kitchen operations, consistent product quality, and a clean, organized, and safe work environment. The Prep Cook is expected to demonstrate urgency, attention to detail, teamwork, reliability, and a commitment to executing recipes and preparation standards with consistency and accuracy.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Prepare ingredients according to Company recipes, preparation guides, portion specifications, and production schedules while maintaining consistency and quality standards.
• Wash, peel, cut, chop, slice, dice, portion, marinate, mix, season, and prepare food items using approved recipes, techniques, and equipment.
• Accurately measure and prepare ingredients while maintaining recipe consistency and minimizing waste.
• Properly label, date, rotate, and store all food products using FIFO (First In, First Out) inventory practices and Company food safety procedures.
• Maintain appropriate production levels by preparing ingredients based on business volume, production forecasts, and direction from restaurant leadership.
• Inspect ingredients and prepared products for freshness, quality, appearance, and proper storage conditions while reporting quality concerns to restaurant leadership.
• Safely operate commercial kitchen equipment, including knives, slicers, mixers, food processors, scales, and other food preparation equipment appropriate to the position.
• Maintain clean, organized, and fully stocked prep stations throughout each shift while following Company sanitation standards.
• Follow all Company recipes, preparation procedures, portion standards, food safety requirements, allergen awareness procedures, sanitation practices, and workplace safety policies.
• Monitor and maintain proper food temperatures during preparation, storage, cooling, and handling in accordance with Company procedures and applicable health regulations.
• Minimize food waste by properly utilizing ingredients, rotating inventory, accurately portioning products, and reporting shortages or quality concerns promptly.
• Assist with receiving, inspecting, organizing, rotating, and properly storing food deliveries and kitchen supplies.
• Maintain cleanliness of prep areas, storage areas, equipment, walk-in coolers, shelving, floors, and other assigned back-of-house areas throughout each shift.
• Communicate effectively with culinary leadership regarding production needs, inventory shortages, equipment concerns, food quality issues, or operational challenges.
• Support line cooks, dishwashers, and other culinary team members by assisting with food preparation, organization, cleaning, stocking, and other operational responsibilities as business needs require.
• Complete opening, running, and closing preparation responsibilities in accordance with Company procedures, production schedules, and daily cleaning assignments.
• Attend training sessions, pre-shift meetings, and departmental meetings while maintaining current knowledge of recipes, food safety standards, sanitation procedures, allergen awareness, and Company policies.
• Protect Company confidential information, including recipes, preparation methods, operational procedures, vendor information, pricing information, and other proprietary business practices.
• Present a clean, professional appearance in the complete approved uniform while demonstrating respectful, professional, and cooperative conduct with guests, coworkers, vendors, and leadership.
• Perform other duties and support other back-of-house positions as assigned based on business volume and operational needs.

MY NEIGHBOR FELIX SERVICE STANDARDS

STANDARD EXPECTED BEHAVIOR

Professionalism Demonstrate integrity, accountability, professionalism, and respect in every interaction.

Safety Follow all food safety, sanitation, chemical handling, and workplace safety procedures.

Quality Complete work accurately, consistently, and according to Company standards.

Ownership Take responsibility for assigned duties, equipment, and maintaining a clean and organized work environment.

Teamwork Communicate respectfully and support fellow team members across all departments.

Reliability Report to work prepared, maintain punctual attendance, and perform duties with urgency and consistency.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education / Certifications

• High school diploma or equivalent preferred, but not required.
• Previous restaurant, dishwashing, custodial, warehouse, food service, or hospitality experience is preferred but not required.
• Ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced, high-volume environment while maintaining attention to detail.
• Ability to communicate professionally and work collaboratively with managers and team members.
• Demonstrated reliability, punctuality, and a strong work ethic.
• Ability to follow verbal and written instructions, established procedures, and Company policies.
• Basic understanding of sanitation, cleanliness, and workplace safety principles, or the ability to learn and consistently apply Company standards.
• Ability to safely operate commercial dishwashing equipment and properly handle cleaning chemicals after training.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including mornings, evenings, weekends, holidays, and overtime as business needs require.
• Must obtain and maintain any licenses, permits, certifications, or training required by applicable law or Company policy.
• Ability to accurately follow written recipes and production guides.
• Basic knife skills or the ability to safely develop knife skills through Company training.
• Ability to accurately measure, portion, and prepare ingredients according to Company specifications.

EXPERIENCE

• Previous restaurant, food preparation, kitchen, or hospitality experience is preferred.
• Six (6) months of food preparation or commercial kitchen experience is preferred but not required.
• Experience preparing ingredients according to standardized recipes is preferred.
• Experience maintaining food safety, sanitation, and proper food storage procedures is preferred.

Equivalent combinations of education, training, and experience that demonstrate the ability to successfully perform the essential functions of the position may be considered.

KNOWLEDGE

• Basic knowledge of cleaning, sanitation, and food safety principles, or the ability to learn and consistently apply Company standards.
• Basic understanding of proper handling, cleaning, and storage of dishes, cookware, utensils, kitchen equipment, and service items.
• Knowledge of safe workplace practices, including proper lifting techniques, chemical handling, slip and fall prevention, and equipment safety, or the ability to learn such practices.
• Ability to understand and follow Company policies, operational procedures, cleaning schedules, and sanitation standards.
• Basic understanding of the importance of cleanliness, organization, teamwork, and urgency within a high-volume restaurant environment.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality regarding Company operations, recipes, business practices, and other proprietary information.
• Knowledge of applicable health, sanitation, and workplace safety requirements, or the ability to successfully complete Company-provided training.
• Basic knife handling and food preparation techniques.
• Recipe execution and portion control.
• FIFO inventory rotation.
• Safe food temperature practices.
• Cross-contamination prevention.
• Basic allergen awareness.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS & WORK ENVIRONMENT

The requirements below are representative of those necessary to perform the essential functions of the position. Reasonable accommodations may be made for qualified individuals with disabilities.

• Stand and walk for prolonged periods throughout food preparation, service, cleaning, and closing duties while frequently moving throughout kitchen, storage, dishwashing, walk-in cooler, freezer, and receiving areas.
• Frequently bend, reach, twist, stoop, kneel, crouch, climb, balance, grasp, and perform repetitive hand, wrist, and arm movements while preparing food, cleaning, stocking, lifting, and operating kitchen equipment.
• Lift, push, pull, carry, and move up to 50 pounds on a regular basis, including food products, ingredient containers, cookware, dish racks, equipment, cleaning supplies, and other operational materials, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Safely operate commercial kitchen equipment, including but not limited to dishwashing machines, ovens, grills, fryers, slicers, mixers, food processors, knives, and other kitchen equipment appropriate to the position.
• Work in a fast-paced kitchen environment with frequent exposure to hot surfaces, steam, open flames, boiling liquids, sharp objects, cleaning chemicals, food allergens, grease, wet floors, refrigeration units, freezers, and varying indoor temperatures.
• Utilize proper lifting techniques and follow all Company safety procedures, food safety standards, sanitation requirements, chemical handling procedures, and personal protective equipment requirements as applicable.
• Hear, speak, read, and communicate effectively with managers, team members, vendors, and other departments in a busy kitchen environment with multiple simultaneous activities and elevated noise levels.
• Maintain the physical stamina necessary to perform repetitive tasks while working efficiently during extended periods of high business volume.
• Work a flexible schedule that may include mornings, afternoons, evenings, weekends, holidays, extended shifts, and overtime as business needs require.

EMPLOYMENT EXPECTATIONS

• Maintain regular and punctual attendance and follow established call-off and scheduling procedures.
• Accurately record all time worked. Working off the clock is prohibited, and overtime requires advance authorization while remaining payable when worked.
• Comply with the My Neighbor Felix Employee Handbook, all training materials, Company directives, safety rules, dress and appearance standards, anti-discrimination and anti-harassment policies, confidentiality obligations, and all applicable laws.
• Immediately report workplace injuries, unsafe conditions, suspected harassment or discrimination, wage concerns, or other policy violations through the appropriate reporting channels.
• Remain free from impairment while working, on Company premises, or representing the Company.
• Follow all Company recipes, preparation standards, food safety procedures, and sanitation requirements.
• Maintain compliance with all local, state, and federal food safety regulations.
• Consistently maintain a clean, organized, and safe workstation.
• Properly use and care for Company equipment.
• Demonstrate urgency while maintaining quality and safety standards.
• Support other culinary team members and restaurant departments as business needs require.

SALARY & BENEFITS

Hourly Wage: USD $15.16 per hour - $23.00 per hour

Classification: Non-Exempt; Non Tipped position

Actual starting compensation will be determined based on factors including, but not limited to, relevant experience, qualifications, demonstrated skills, internal equity, and business needs.

Team benefits include:

• Structured training programs and pathways for professional growth.
• A 25% dining discount at participating concepts within the Lotus portfolio.
• Accrual of paid sick leave as mandated by Colorado state statutes.
• Access to Colorado FAMLI and federal FMLA leave programs for eligible employees.
• Comprehensive health, dental, vision, life, and accident coverage upon meeting eligibility requirements.
• Optional Total Advantage Package, providing telehealth, healthcare advocacy, and financial wellness support.

IMPORTANT NOTICE

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed and is not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications. Duties may change based on business needs. Employment with the Company is at will unless otherwise stated in a written agreement signed by authorized Company leadership. Nothing in this job description creates a contract of employment or alters the at-will relationship.

My Neighbor Felix / Lotus Concepts is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Reasonable accommodations are available to qualified applicants and employees in accordance with applicable law.