Lead Cook - The Nolen Rooftop

Island Hospitality Management•San Diego, CA

10h

About The Position

Bring your culinary leadership and creativity to The Nolen Rooftop as our Lead Cook. In this role, you will lead the kitchen operation while delivering high-quality food and memorable guest experiences through thoughtful menu development, strong culinary execution, and consistent standards. The Lead Cook oversees all kitchen operations, including menu creation, food preparation, quality control, inventory management, and team leadership. This role will ensure all food is prepared to the highest standards while maintaining food safety, controlling costs, and supporting the unique rooftop dining experience that defines The Nolen. This position may require flexible scheduling availability, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Requirements

Proven culinary leadership experience in a restaurant, rooftop, or high-volume hospitality environment
Strong knowledge of kitchen operations, food safety, and sanitation standards
Experience with menu development, food costing, and inventory management
Ability to lead and motivate a kitchen team while maintaining a positive culture
Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to anticipate and address operational challenges
Ability to perform well in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment
Strong attention to detail and commitment to delivering high-quality guest experiences
Working knowledge of commercial kitchen equipment and food preparation techniques
Flexible availability including evenings, weekends, and holidays

Responsibilities

Lead all culinary operations for The Nolen Rooftop, ensuring food quality, consistency, and presentation meet the restaurant’s standards
Develop and execute seasonal menus that align with the rooftop concept and guest expectations
Ensure full compliance with local health, safety, and sanitation regulations
Oversee food purchasing, receiving, and inventory to maintain proper stock levels while controlling costs
Train, mentor, and supervise kitchen team members to maintain a positive, professional, and high-performing culture
Maintain consistency in recipes, plating, and preparation standards across all menu items
Monitor food quality, portioning, and waste to support strong food cost management
Ensure all kitchen equipment is properly used, maintained, and cleaned according to operational standards
Maintain a clean, organized, and safe kitchen environment at all times
Collaborate with hotel leadership and the Food & Beverage team to support events, specials, and rooftop programming

Benefits

Healthcare including Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
HSA & FSA plans available!
Dependent care FSA
Identity Theft Protection Insurance Commuter benefits including transit & parking
Pet Insurance
PTO and Payroll Incentives for Annual Wellness Exams
Employee Assistance Program Wellness Subscriptions including access to gyms, financial planning, counseling, and legal services
Paid Sick and Vacation Time
Family Leave
401(k) Retirement plan - IHM Matches 100% up to 3% of your salary and an extra 50% on the next 2% of your salary. 401(k) is fully vested upon the first contribution
Incentive based bonus program
Free room nights at our hotels and employee discounts within your hotel brand
Discounts for friends and family within your hotel brand
Team Member recognition and bonus
Discounted tickets to theme parks, musicals, movies, and more through Tickets at Work
Career Growth through our in-house training program with a path personalized to your desired goals
Referral bonus program to ANY of our locations