Lead Cook

Luna Grill; Tempe (AZ); On-site; USD 22,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Tip pool

Free shift meals

Flexible scheduling

Recognition & rewards

Employee discounts

Growth opportunities

Job summary

Luna Grill is opening a Tempe location and seeks an experienced Lead Cook to drive BOH operations while upholding high food quality and safety standards. You will lead shifts, train staff, and ensure fast, accurate service in a team-driven environment.

We value pride in craft, flexibility, and growth within a fun, people-first culture. E-Verify and equal opportunity employer statements apply.

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• Lead BOH operations during assigned shifts while ensuring food quality, safety, accuracy, and speed of service.
• Train team members and monitor food safety logs.
• Coordinate station assignments and maintain Luna Grill standards.
• Prepare, cook, and plate items according to recipes and portion standards.
• Operate grills, fryers, ovens and other kitchen equipment safely.
• Maintain a clean workstation and support prep, stocking, and closing duties.
• Direct and assist team members to ensure smooth operations during shifts.
• Communicate effectively with leadership and teammates to keep service running efficiently.

Skills

Kitchen leadership

High-volume environment

Team communication

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Job description

Hey TEMPE—We’re Headed Your Way! New Location, Proven Brand – Be part of the first team for our Tempe Location! Luna Grill, a fast casual/QSR concept, is looking for LEAD COOKS to bring our menu to life, maintain high food quality standards, and keep the kitchen running efficiently. This is a great opportunity for those who take pride in their craft and thrive in a fast-paced, team-driven environment.

We are a really (really) cool company to work for—we take pride in our inspirational culture, being a true “people first” workplace, and providing opportunities for growth.

For over 20 years, Luna Grill has served fresh, feel-good Mediterranean food in Southern California and Dallas–Fort Worth (50+ locations and counting). Now, we’re expanding our AZ footprint — and we’re looking for youto help launch our up-and-coming location in Tempe and bring our flavors to life.

Why You’ll Love Luna Grill

• Competitive hourly rate + Team Tip Pool (compensation varies by region and market)
• Free Healthy Shift Meals
• Flexible Scheduling
• Recognition, Rewards & Referral Bonuses
• Team Member Discounts
• Growth & promotion opportunities as we expand

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:

• 2+ 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

Why Join Luna Grill?

We’re not your typical restaurant gig. At Luna Grill, we’re all about real food, real people, and real growth. We’ve built a culture that’s team-focused, values-driven, and genuinely fun to be a part of. We care about what we serve, who we serve it with—and we’re bringing that energy to Tempe.

If you’re ready to lead, grow, and be part of something fresh (literally and figuratively), let’s talk.

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.