Food Service Lead Cook

SSA Group; New Orleans (LA); On-site; USD 10,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a leading company at Audubon Zoo as a Lead Cook, where you will ensure exceptional guest experiences and maintain high food service standards. Ideal candidates are team players with strong communication skills and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment. Enjoy competitive pay, employee discounts, and a supportive work culture focused on inclusivity and sustainability.

Benefits

Employee Assistance Program

Get Paid Early

Tuition Discount

Meal Plan & Employee Discounts

Qualifications

• Leadership experience preferred.
• Ability to work varied hours/days, including nights, weekends and holidays.

Responsibilities

• Ensure memorable experience for every guest and client.
• Maintain a clean, safe and organized work environment.
• Communicate issues to Restaurant Supervisor or Food Operations Manager.

Skills

Interpersonal Skills

Problem Solving

Flexibility

Job description

Audubon Zoo, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States of America

Job Description

Posted Saturday, May 17, 2025 at 5:00 AM | Expires Wednesday, June 18, 2025 at 4:59 AM

We are looking for talented Lead Cooks! Join the SSA Group at Audubon Zoo!

Lead Cook

Who are we :

SSA Group works with zoos, aquariums, museums, and other cultural attractions on integrating dining, retail, admissions and more. We increase revenue opportunities for partners across the United States. With 50 years in the business, SSA has refined the basics while pioneering better ways forward. With pillars of focus like sustainability, inclusivity, and innovation, SSA is transforming the cultural attraction industry.

SSA was built by families, for families, with a family’s sense of love anddedication. We don’t just rely on the best practices in our industry, we customize best practices for each partner to set the bar higher and higher, always. We do all we can to further the mission of our partners because their guests and the communities they serve,deserve it.

Reports to: Kitchen Manager(s) and Chef(s)

Responsibilities

• Perform the steps of SSA EXTRA Guest Service to ensure a memorable experience for every guest and client.
• Work closely with Kitchen Manager(s) and Chef(s) to ensure the restaurant prep (BOH and line) are completed for daily operation.
• Meet daily quick service, food service, safety and quality, availability, merchandising and guest service standards.
• Ensure proper food quantities are set for daily and ongoing service.
• Participate in safety logs including food temperatures, rotation and waste as necessary.
• Ensure safe food handling is maintained.
• Ensure proper uniform, hygiene, hand-washing and glove use with self.
• Maintain a SSAfe work environment by abiding to all SSAFETY rules.
• Follow through daily prep and items lists, as assigned.
• Actively help to support operation in assigned role, supporting holes as necessary.
• Actively and efficiently respond to guest and client feedback, with report to the supervisor to ensure that any potential complaints are mitigate against further occurrence.
• Communicate up to the Restaurant Supervisor and/or Food Operations Manager in regard to any issues seen with daily service or quality.
• Remain knowledgeable of all menu items, prices and specials for sharing with guests.
• Assist with dishwashing as necessary.
• Perform other tasks as deemed necessary.
• Maintain a clean, safe and organized work environment.
• Uphold and demonstrate a complete understanding of company policies and procedures.

Job Requirements

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Exceptional problem solving/decision making skills combined with the ability to be organized.
• Demonstrates the ability to remain flexible in a fast-paced environment.
• Ideal candidate is a team player, personable, professional, upbeat and energetic, and takes initiative.
• Physical ability to stand for extended periods and to move and handle boxes (10-35lbs) as necessary to operation, which entails lifting, and perform all functions as set forth above.
• Ability to work varied hours/days, including nights, weekends and holidays, as needed.

IDEA + Belonging

• Promote an inclusive & supportive approach within the Brand team, with networking continuing at all units .
• Focuses on removing barriers and empowering growth and opportunity for team members at all levels .
• Leads by example through Sustainability/Conservation efforts; displays knowledge of efforts in business application as well as giving adequate opportunity for teaching to unit staff as necessary.
• Engages with SSA/Unit in driving community effort through engagement activities and focus. On opportunities of giving back .

Previous Experience

• Leadership experience preferred.
• All education backgrounds eligible.

This is by no means an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, duties, requirements, efforts or working conditions associated with this job description. SSA Group reserves the right to revise the job description or to require that other or different tasks are performed when circumstances change (i.e. emergencies, changes in personnel, workload, rush jobs or technological developments)

SSA Group, LLC. is an equal opportunity employer. We embrace diversity and equal opportunity through our commitment to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. The more inclusive we are, the better our work will be.

Compensation and Benefits

• Hourly, Non-Exempt. Pay is based on range in consideration of relevant job experience and certification/education
• Employee Assistance Program
• Get Paid Early
• Tuition Discount through Partnership College
• Meal Plan & employee Discounts

All California Residents: By submitting your job application, you agree you have reviewed the SSA Group California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) Candidate and Employee Privacy Notice ("Notice").

San Francisco Residents: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. Please see the "Fair Chance Ordinance - Know Your Rights" document for more information. By submitting your job application, you agree you have reviewed the "Fair Chance Ordinance - Know Your Rights" document.

Audubon Zoo, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States of America