Lead Cook

Luna Grill; Santa Barbara (CA); On-site; USD 28,000 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible scheduling

Career growth

Tip pool

Free meal

Referral bonus

Recognition programs

Employee discounts

Job summary

Luna Grill is hiring a Lead Cook to oversee BOH operations, coach the team, and ensure quality and pace of service. You will lead shifts, monitor food safety logs, coordinate station assignments, and uphold Luna Grill standards.

Ideal candidates bring 1+ year of leadership in a high-volume kitchen, strong food-prep and sanitation knowledge, and the ability to work under pressure in a fast-casual setting. California locations offer competitive hourly pay and growth opportunities.

Qualifications

• 1+ years of kitchen leadership experience in a high-volume or fast-casual environment.
• Strong understanding of food prep, portion control, and recipe consistency.
• Knowledge of food safety and sanitation best practices.
• Positive, dependable team player who thrives under pressure.
• Must be 18 years or older.

Responsibilities

• Prepare, cook, and plate menu items according to Luna Grill recipes and portion standards.
• Operate grills, fryers, ovens, and other kitchen equipment safely and efficiently.
• Maintain food quality, safety, and sanitation standards always.
• Set up, organize, and maintain a clean workstation throughout the shift.
• Support the kitchen team with prep, stocking, and closing duties.
• Direct and assist team members during shifts to ensure smooth operations.
• Communicate effectively with leadership and teammates to keep service running efficiently.
• Assist with dishwashing, kitchen maintenance and other tasks as needed.

Skills

Kitchen leadership

Food safety

Team coordination

Communication

Bilingual English/Spanish

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Job description

3925 State St, Santa Barbara, CA 93105, USA

Job Description

Posted Monday, August 31, 2026 at 10:00 AM | Expires Tuesday, September 15, 2026 at 9:59 AM

Join Our Team as a Lead Cook

Opportunities in California, Texas & Arizona

Are you ready to be the backbone of our kitchen? At Luna Grill, we’re looking for Lead Cooks to oversee production, coach the team, and ensure seamless kitchen operations while upholding our quality and consistency. Step up and lead with expertise and energy.

Locations & Pay (compensation varies by region and market)

California – LA • Orange County • San Diego • Inland Empire
$20.50/hr (up to $24.00/hr with tips)

Texas – Dallas/Fort Worth
$13.00–$16.00/hr (up to $19.00/hr with tips)

Arizona – Mesa
$18.00–$20.00/hr (up to $23.00/hr with tips)

Why You’ll Love Luna Grill

We’re not your typical restaurant gig — we’re a people-first brand with real food and real opportunities.

• Flexible Scheduling for work-life balance
• Career Growth Opportunities – we promote from within!
• Tip Pool Participation – all team members share in the tips
• Free Healthy Shift Meal
• Referral Bonus Program
• Recognition & Rewards for performance and teamwork
• Luna Grill Employee Discounts and more!
• A people-first culture where teamwork, respect, and hospitality come first

What You’ll Do

As a Luna Grill Lead Cook, you’ll be leading BOH operations during assigned shifts while ensuring food quality, safety, accuracy, and speed of service. This position combines hands‑on cooking with shift leadership responsibilities such as training team members, monitoring food safety logs, coordinating station assignments, and maintaining compliance with Luna Grill standards.

• Prepare, cook, and plate menu items according to Luna Grill recipes and portion standards
• Operate grills, fryers, ovens, and other kitchen equipment safely and efficiently
• Maintain food quality, safety, and sanitation standards always
• Set up, organize, and maintain a clean workstation throughout the shift
• Support the kitchen team with prep, stocking, and closing duties
• Direct and assist team members during shifts to ensure smooth operations
• Communicate effectively with leadership and teammates to keep service running efficiently
• Assist with dishwashing, kitchen maintenance and other tasks as needed

What we’re looking for:

• 1+ years of kitchen leadership experience in a high-volume or fast-casual environment required
• Strong understanding of food prep, portion control, and recipe consistency
• Knowledge of food safety and sanitation best practices
• Positive, dependable team player who thrives under pressure
• Must be 18 years or older
• Strong knowledge of kitchen operations, food safety, and sanitation
• Reliable, professional, and able to communicate clearly
• Able to work productively with minimal supervision
• High School Diploma or GED preferred
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) a plus

Who We Are

We’re Lunatics — devoted to maintaining high standards through culture, teamwork, and training.
At Luna Grill, people are our #1 priority. We believe in cultivating talent, leading by example, and creating REAL experiences for both our guests and our team members.

Come grow with us — and help turn every meal into a moment worth remembering.

Luna Grill participates in E-Verify for all positions.

E-Verify is an internet-based system operated by the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA) that allows participating employers to electronically verify the eligibility of new employees to work in the United States. E-Verify checks information provided on an employee’s Form I-9 electronically against records contained in DHS and SSA databases.

Luna Grill is an equal opportunity employer. We offer a welcoming and inclusive environment to our team members, job applicants, the guests we serve, and the communities we call home. Luna Grill also has a longstanding policy of providing a work environment that respects the dignity and worth of each individual and is free from all forms of discrimination, including harassment, because of race, color, sex, gender, age, religion or religious creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

3925 State St, Santa Barbara, CA 93105, USA