Lead Cook

Super Panga; Newport Beach (CA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee discounts

Job summary

Super Panga in Newport Beach is seeking a passionate Lead Cook with expertise in traditional Mexican and Hispanic taco-making to lead our fast-paced kitchen team.

You will oversee food preparation, ensure quality and consistency, manage inventory, and support staff to deliver great dishes with efficiency and care.

Qualifications

• 3–4 years in a high-volume kitchen, with supervisory experience.
• CA Food Handlers Certificate or Serve Safe preferred.
• Knowledge of food safety regulations and proper handling.

Responsibilities

• Provide detailed instructions to cooks and ensure all recipes are followed by kitchen staff
• Collaborate with kitchen staff to ensure smooth operations during service.
• Ensure all food is prepared in a timely manner to meet service needs.
• Maintain cleanliness and organization of the kitchen area, including workstations and equipment.
• Monitor inventory levels of ingredients and supplies, notify management when orders are needed.
• Achieve and maintain company and brand standards for quality and guest satisfaction
• Adhere to food safety regulations and guidelines to ensure the highest quality of food handling.
• Ensure security and proper storage of food and beverage products, inventory and equipment and replenish supplies in a timely and efficient manner while minimizing waste.
• Undertake additional tasks as needed to support the efficient operation of the kitchen.

Skills

Leadership

High-volume cooking

Knife skills

Team communication

Education

CA Food Handlers Certificate / Serve Safe

Job description

Benefits:

• Employee discounts

Super Panga, where the vibrant flavors of coastal Baja meet the iconic Newport Beach boardwalk, is seeking a passionate Lead Cook with expertise in traditional Mexican and Hispanic taco-making to join our team!

This position emphasizes teamwork, communication, and efficiency, requiring strong organizational skills to ensure guests receive accurate orders promptly. Responsibilities include maintaining a clean and sanitized line station throughout the shift, setting up and organizing the station for service, and keeping the work area free of debris. A key part of this role is executing orders swiftly and accurately to uphold the high standards of our restaurant operations.

As Lead Cook, you will oversee kitchen operations, including food preparation, quality control, inventory management, and kitchen maintenance. The ideal candidate is a skilled leader with prior supervisory experience, expertise in high-volume cooking, and a passion for exceptional food. If you thrive in a fast-paced environment, excel at multitasking, and are committed to creating unforgettable dining experiences, we want to hear from you!

Responsibilities:

• Provide detail instructions to cooks and ensure all recipes are followed by kitchen staff
• Collaborate with kitchen staff to ensure smooth operations during service.
• Ensure all food is prepared in a timely manner to meet service needs.
• Maintain cleanliness and organization of the kitchen area, including workstations and equipment.
• Monitor inventory levels of ingredients and supplies, notify management when orders are needed.
• Achieve and maintain company and brand standards for quality and guest satisfaction
• Adhere to food safety regulations and guidelines to ensure the highest quality of food handling.
• Ensure security and proper storage of food and beverage products, inventory and equipment and replenish supplies in a timely and efficient manner while minimizing waste.
• Undertake additional tasks as needed to support the efficient operation of the kitchen.

Qualifications:

• 3 to 4 years of related experience preferably in a high-volume kitchen, including supervisory experience; or advanced training or education in food management is a plus
• Must have or be able to obtain a CA Food Handlers Certificate or Serve Safe
• Knowledge of food safety regulations and best practices in food handling.
• Strong skills in food preparation techniques, including knife skills and cooking methods.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced kitchen environment while maintaining attention to detail.
• Skilled with the use of hand tools or machines needed for the position
• Must be able to stand for duration of shift in an environment with extreme temperatures
• Able to lift, carry, or pull objects that may be heavy; ability to lift overhead
• Utilize proper knife skills and use cutting gloves for food preparation tasks