Lead Cook

Leisure Sports, Inc. • Aliso Viejo, CA

6d

About The Position

The Lead Cook works closely with the Sous Chef and serves as the leader in command in the kitchen. The role oversees food production and ensures food production associates perform their duties according to quality standards established by the Sous Chef. The Lead Cook assists with hiring, training, and supervising line cooks, prep cooks, and stewards, and helps maintain a safe and sanitary work environment.

The position also supports kitchen staffing and operations, supervises preparation and production across stations, monitors food quality and presentation, ensures compliance with kitchen policies and health and safety guidelines, and helps foster a pleasant, team-oriented workplace. The Lead Cook reports to the Sous Chef.

Requirements

• Culinary skills and food preparation experience.
• Leadership skills and ability to work as a team player.
• Personable, friendly demeanor and customer-service orientation.
• Professionalism and responsibility.
• Enthusiasm and achievement orientation.
• Maintain ServSafe manager food handling certification.
• Ability to write, speak, read, hear, and see.
• Ability to stand for prolonged periods.
• Manual dexterity to handle knives, glasses, breakables, and other items carefully.
• Ability to bend, lift, and carry up to 40 pounds.
• Ability to operate kitchen equipment.
• Ability to work with and around hot grills, ovens, stoves, and microwaves.
• Ability to perform light typing or operate a computer.

Responsibilities

• Assist the Sous Chef with hiring, supervising, scheduling, evaluating, counseling, disciplining, motivating, and coaching or training kitchen staff; serve as a role model.
• Ensure associates maintain a clean and professional uniform and personal appearance.
• Supervise kitchen preparation for service at all stations.
• Verify that kitchen associates follow portion sizes, quality standards, presentation requirements, and food production practices.
• Verify that kitchen department rules, policies, and procedures are followed.
• Ensure that LSI Human Resources policies and employment practices are followed in the kitchen.
• Verify that kitchen associates follow safety and sanitation practices.
• Supervise production of all food orders.
• Ensure orders are read carefully, special requests are noted, and food is prepared accordingly.
• Ensure health department guidelines are followed, including minimum cooking times for meats and maintaining and documenting food logs.
• Ensure the proper plate, platter, bowl, or other serving vessel is used for each order.
• Ensure proper operation of kitchen equipment.
• Monitor fast-moving items and identify them before supplies run out.
• Assist the Sous Chef with daily taste panels.
• Supervise and practice proper breakdown and storage of leftovers; ensure food is identified and dated.
• Minimize waste.
• Work closely with and assist line cooks, prep cooks, and the Sous Chef; help maintain a pleasant work atmosphere and promote team spirit.
• Follow accident prevention guidelines and report maintenance needs, accidents, injuries, and unsafe working conditions.
• Maintain ServSafe manager food handling certification.
• Perform other duties or projects as assigned or requested by the Sous Chef.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: No Education Listed