Lead Cook

PONZU LLC; Costa Mesa (CA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) matching

Employee discounts

Flexible schedule

Job summary

PONZU LLC in Costa Mesa is seeking a Lead Cook to oversee daily kitchen operations, ensuring top-tier food quality, safety, and service. You will lead culinary professionals, manage production, and elevate offerings through menu planning and precise preparation.

The ideal candidate has strong leadership, extensive kitchen experience in fine dining or high-volume settings, and a focus on safety and presentation.

Qualifications

• Experience in dietary aide and dietary department operations.
• Proven expertise in menu planning and culinary techniques.
• Experience in fine dining or high-volume restaurants with focus on food safety.
• Ability to lead a team effectively.

Responsibilities

• Lead and supervise kitchen staff to ensure efficient food preparation and service delivery in high-volume settings.
• Develop and implement creative menus that meet nutritional guidelines and customer preferences, incorporating dietary considerations.
• Oversee all aspects of food safety, sanitation, and sanitizing procedures to maintain compliance with health regulations.
• Manage food production processes, and cooking techniques, ensuring consistency and quality.
• Operate and maintain kitchen equipment safely and effectively while adhering to food handling standards.
• Train team members on knife skills, recipe adherence, food safety management, and proper food handling procedures.
• Coordinate meal preparation for restaurant service while maintaining high standards of presentation and taste.

Skills

Leadership / Team

Menu planning

Food safety

High-volume service

Knife skills

Culinary techniques

Dietary accommodations

Staff training

Sanitation standards

Quality control

Job description

Benefits:

• 401(k) matching
• Employee discounts
• Flexible schedule

Job description

Job Overview

We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Lead Cook to join our culinary team! In this pivotal role, you will oversee daily kitchen operations, ensuring the highest standards of food quality, safety, and service. Your leadership will inspire a team of culinary professionals to deliver exceptional dining experiences across various settings, including fine dining environments. This position offers an exciting opportunity to showcase your culinary expertise, manage food production processes, and elevate our culinary offerings through innovative menu planning and meticulous food preparation.

Responsibilities

• Lead and supervise kitchen staff to ensure efficient food preparation and service delivery in high-volume settings.
• Develop and implement creative menus that meet nutritional guidelines and customer preferences, incorporating dietary considerations.
• Oversee all aspects of food safety, sanitation, and sanitizing procedures to maintain compliance with health regulations.
• Manage food production processes, and cooking techniques, ensuring consistency and quality.
• Operate and maintain kitchen equipment safely and effectively while adhering to food handling standards.
• Train team members on knife skills, recipe adherence, food safety management, and proper food handling procedures.
• Coordinate meal preparation for restaurant service while maintaining high standards of presentation and taste.

Skills

• Extensive dietary aide experience with a strong understanding of dietary department operations.
• Proven expertise in menu planning, food preparation, and culinary techniques such as poaching, braising, grilling, and food industry best practices.
• Experience working in fine dining or high-volume restaurant environments with a focus on food safety sanitizing procedures.
• Skilled in operating various kitchen equipment safely and efficiently; excellent knife skills are essential.
• Strong background in food production, cooking, catering experience, and serving large groups or events.
• Knowledge of food safety management systems and adherence to recipe standards for consistent meal quality.
• Ability to lead a team effectively while fostering a positive work environment focused on excellence in food service.

Additional Information

Join us as a Lead Cook to bring your culinary talents to life! We value energetic professionals who are passionate about food industry excellence and eager to lead by example in delivering memorable dining experiences. This paid position offers the chance to grow your culinary career while making a meaningful impact on our guests’ satisfaction through innovative cuisine and exceptional service.