Chai Pani D.C. Hiring Prep Cooks at Chai Pani - Washington, DC

Chai Pani is an Indian Street Food restaurant that began as a humble, 50 seat restaurant in Asheville, North Carolina in 2009. We’ve since grown to a much larger space in Asheville and opened Chai Panis in Atlanta, GA and Washington, DC, along with 4 locations of our fast-casual concept, Botiwalla. Chai Pani is the recipient of the James Beard Award for Outstanding Restaurant in 2022, and has received six other nominations. We've also received a Zagat award, and multiple publications in Bon Appetit, Saveur, Food & Wine, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Huffington Post, Southern Living, USA Today, and were one of Oprah's Favorite things.

Chai Pani is slang in India for going out for a cup of tea, a tasty bite, a snack, or “a little something.” For us, it means groundbreaking, fun, affordable, and delicious Indian street food, paired with a passion for making people happy and building connections through good food and compassionate hospitality.

If this sounds like a journey you want to take with us - providing extraordinary hospitality and changing the perception of Indian cuisine in America - we are currently accepting applications.

Position Summary: As a Prep Cook, you are the foundation of every service — making sure the ingredients, flavors, and systems are dialed in before a single guest walks through the door. Your work behind the scenes makes everything possible up front. This is a role for someone who finds satisfaction in structure, rhythm, and teamwork — and who takes pride in knowing they help set up the whole team up for success.
*This position is for the evening (PM) shift.

What we this role offers:

• The chance to work with a James Beard Award–winning restaurant group and Chef
• Flexibility, camaraderie, and a culture where your voice matters
• Growth, mentorship, and a community that values excellence and care
• A supportive environment where details matter

What you offer:

• A growth mindset, and a commitment to upholding a culture of excellence, love and care
• A team-first attitude and a drive to go above and beyond for guests and coworkers alike
• A love of learning and willingness to contribute to a culture of feedback in the pursuit of excellence
• Attention to detail and respect for systems

Benefits:

• Medical, dental, vision, disability, dependent care FSA, and supplemental life insurance (full-time team members)
• Company paid life insurance (full and part-time team members)
• Flexible work schedules
• Paid sick days
• Free shift meals
• Employee discount on merch, Spicewalla products, and all of our other restaurant locations in Asheville, Charlotte & Atlanta
• Cash advance program
• Opportunity to apply to annual staff trip to India after 1 year of employment 

Our Mission
Giving back is at the heart of Chai Pani's mission. We make a difference when and where we can — from supporting educational programs in Mumbai, to feeding the homeless with dignity, and within our own walls by offering competitive pay, flexible schedules, and benefits that support work-life harmony.

Join our team and help us build something truly special in D.C.!