DiBlasi’s Food & Drink is opening in Reading, MA, and we’re building our opening kitchen team.
We’re a neighborhood restaurant with Italian-American roots, a full bar, takeout, catering, and a menu built around comforting, high-quality food made with care. The kitchen will be led by Chef/Operator Greg Maganzini, from the family behind the long-running DiBlasi’s Subs in Everett.
We’re hiring for several key back-of-house positions:
- Sous Chef / Kitchen Lead
- Line Cooks
- Prep Cooks / Utility Cooks
This is a small kitchen, so we need people who are dependable, organized, clean, and comfortable working as part of a tight team. We are especially interested in cooks with real restaurant experience who can help us open strong, build good habits from day one, and execute consistently during both dine-in and takeout service.
Positions & Pay:
Sous Chef / Kitchen Lead
Estimated pay: $24–$28 per hour, based on experience
This role supports the Chef/Operator with daily kitchen execution, prep planning, line leadership, station setup, quality control, closing procedures, and training. The right person can lead shifts when the chef is not on-site.
Line Cook
Estimated pay: $20–$23 per hour, based on experience
Line cooks will work service stations, execute menu items consistently, maintain clean and organized work areas, communicate clearly during service, and help the team handle both dine-in and takeout volume.
Prep Cook / Utility Cook
Estimated pay: $18–$21 per hour, based on experience
Prep cooks will help with daily prep, sauces, vegetables, proteins, portioning, labeling, stocking, cleaning, and support work that keeps the kitchen ready for service.
What We’re Looking For
We’re looking for people who take pride in doing the basics well:
- Real kitchen experience in a restaurant, bar, pizza, sandwich, Italian, or casual dining setting
- Ability to work clean, organized, and fast
- Dependability and strong attendance
- Comfort with prep lists, station setup, labeling, rotation, and closing duties
- Ability to follow recipes and execute food consistently
- Strong communication during busy service
- Willingness to jump in where needed
- Respect for food safety, cleanliness, and health department standards
- Nights and weekends availability preferred
For the Sous Chef / Kitchen Lead role, prior shift-lead, sous chef, lead line cook, or kitchen supervisor experience is strongly preferred.
Schedule
We will be open 7 days a week.
Expected operating hours:
- Sunday–Thursday: 11 AM–10 PM
- Friday–Saturday: 11 AM–11 PM
Prep and opening work will begin before service. Evening and weekend availability is important, especially for line cook and sous chef candidates.
Full-time and part-time schedules may be available depending on role and experience.
Why Join DiBlasi’s
This is an opportunity to be part of an opening team and help shape the kitchen culture from the start.
We want to build a kitchen that is serious about food but not full of ego — clean, organized, respectful, fast, and proud of the work. The right people will have room to grow as the restaurant grows.
How to Apply
Please send your resume or a brief note with your kitchen experience, the position you’re interested in, and your general availability.
DiBlasi’s Food & Drink is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and will provide reasonable accommodations as required by law.
