Kitchen Lead

EXCHANGE HOTELS MANAGEMENT•Fort Worth, TX

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Kitchen Lead leads daily food and beverage back-of-house operations at Hyatt Place Fort Worth Historic Stockyards, ensuring culinary consistency, food safety, effective shift execution, and guest satisfaction for a la carte dining, the Placery, and event banquets. The role oversees kitchen tasks, inventory, staff training, and food preparation and presentation. It also supports a welcoming and efficient breakfast experience by greeting guests, managing seating flow, assisting with guest needs, and coordinating with hotel team members.

Requirements

Flexible availability, including early mornings, weekends, and holidays.
Friendly, professional demeanor and strong guest service skills.
Ability to multitask, stay organized, and work efficiently in a fast-paced environment.
Strong communication skills and a team-oriented mindset.
Commitment to providing a positive guest experience.
Current TABC certification.
Ability to stand, walk, and move throughout breakfast and public areas for extended periods.
Ability to lift, carry, or move up to 10 pounds regularly and up to 25 pounds occasionally.
Ability to work early morning shifts in a fast-paced environment.
Comfort working in a guest-facing role with frequent interaction and moderate noise levels.
Embody the company’s core values of Respect, Integrity, Humility, Empathy, Creativity, and Fun.

Nice To Haves

At least 3 years of experience as a Lead Line Cook, Kitchen Supervisor, or in a similar hospitality role.
Valid Food Handler Certification and ServSafe Manager Certification, or the ability to obtain them upon hiring.
Ability to stand for more than 8 hours in a high-temperature environment and lift up to 50 pounds.
Exceptional leadership and communication skills to motivate staff and troubleshoot under pressure.
Familiarity with Hyatt Place service standards.
Knowledge of the local Fort Worth area to assist guests.

Responsibilities

Lead the culinary line, delegate tasks, and ensure timely food preparation and presentation for the hotel buffet, restaurants, and banquet events.
Taste and inspect dishes to ensure they meet hotel recipes, portion sizes, and presentation standards.
Monitor inventory, rotate products using FIFO, and assist with ordering food and operating supplies to minimize spoilage.
Enforce ServSafe and HACCP guidelines; maintain clean workstations; and conduct daily temperature and health-code checks.
Train line cooks and prep staff on food safety, culinary techniques, and hotel hospitality standards.
Collaborate with front-of-house and catering teams to coordinate service and accommodate guest dietary restrictions or requests.
Greet breakfast guests warmly and create a welcoming start to their day.
Monitor guest traffic and manage breakfast flow, seating availability, and circulation.
Assist guests with seating, including accessibility needs, families, groups, and special requests when possible.
Communicate guest volume, replenishment needs, and service concerns to kitchen and hotel team members.
Maintain cleanliness, organization, and presentation of the breakfast area, host stand, and entry points according to brand standards and health regulations.
Answer guest questions about breakfast offerings, service hours, dietary considerations, and hotel amenities.
Anticipate guest needs and proactively offer assistance.
Address guest concerns professionally and escalate issues to leadership as appropriate.
Support peak breakfast operations by helping with light resets, clearing tables, stocking service items, and directing guest flow.
Follow food safety, sanitation, and workplace safety guidelines.
Assist with other departments or tasks as business needs require while maintaining a guest-focused mindset.
Uphold Hyatt Place service standards, hotel policies, and core values in interactions with guests and team members.
Maintain a professional appearance and demeanor in accordance with grooming and uniform standards.
Perform other duties as assigned.