Lead Cook

American Food & Vending; Wildwood (MO); On-site; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Weekly Pay

401K with match

Employee meals and beverages

Referral Bonus Program

Employee Assistance Program

Flexible hours and shifts

Medical, Prescription, Dental, and Vis

Uniforms and Safety Shoes provided

Learning and advancement opportunities

Job summary

American Dining Creations, part of American Food & Vending, seeks a Lead Cook in Wildwood, MO. You will lead kitchen operations, ensure accurate preparation, and deliver exceptional customer service in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities include cooking, grilling, station setup, adherence to safety standards, and mentoring teammates to maintain high-quality dining experiences for guests.

Qualifications

• Previous experience in a lead kitchen role or hospitality/food service.
• Basic knife skills are a plus.
• Ability to learn quickly in a fast-paced, high-volume environment.
• Self-motivated with willingness to take on additional roles.
• Dedicated to excellence in hospitality and guest experience.
• Ability to cross train and utilize skills across stations.
• Must be able to lift 50 lbs and stand for shifts.

Responsibilities

• Lead by example, support the team, and streamline dining services.
• Cook, grill and serve menu offerings at a designated station.
• Operate kitchen equipment including stove, flat top and grill.
• Transport food safely between stations and storage.
• Prepare and serve food per guest specifications.
• Store foods with proper dating and rotation.
• Maintain temperature logs and production records.
• Keep supplies stocked and assist with inventory.

Skills

lead kitchen experience

basic knife skills

fast-paced environment

team leadership

cross-training

safety orientation

physical stamina

Job description

Pay: - Pay varies by location

Location: WILDWOOD, Missouri

Summary:

A Lead Cook with American Dining Creations ensures exceptional dining through accurate and efficient preparation, portion, grilling and presentation of menu offerings. Successful Lead Cooks exhibit strong leadership qualities, promote teamwork, and can multitask while providing exceptional customer service in a fast-paced environment. By supporting the team, providing outstanding service, a smile, and appetizing food, our Lead Cooks create a memorable dining experience for our guests.

Responsibilities:

• Lead by example, support the team, and take initiative to streamline and improve dining services.
• Cook, grill and serve menu offerings within a designated station.
• Utilize a stove top, flat top, open flame grill and other necessary kitchen equipment.
• Carries pans, kettles, and trays of food to and from workstations, stove, and refrigerator in accordance with established safety standards.
• Prepare and serve food and any goods per guest specifications.
• Stores foods in designated areas following standard wrapping, dating, food safety, and rotation procedures.
• Retains temperature logs and production records in an efficient manner.
• Keep supplies replenished, coolers restocked, and takes inventory as directed.
• Set-up and breakdown stations, clean and sanitize equipment, utensils, dishes for designated workstation.
• Adhere to all state and local food production, safety, and sanitation regulations.
• Remain focused on customer satisfaction through providing excellent service to all guests, clients, and team members.
• Listen well and communicate in a professional and friendly manner.
• Be efficient and organized.
• May operate POS to complete orders, and package “to go” items.
• May be assigned other duties and responsibilities as needed.

Qualifications:

• Previous experience in a lead kitchen role or a proven background in hospitality/food service, utilizing a flat top or open flame grill.
• Basic knife skills a plus.
• Ability to learn quickly in a fast-paced, high-volume, high-quality environment.
• Self-motivated achiever, eager to learn and interested in taking on additional roles and responsibilities.
• Must be dedicated to excellence in hospitality and have a desire to offer a great dining experience.
• Ability to cross train and cross utilize skills.
• Safety and detail oriented.
• This position requires lifting 50lbs, bending, walking, climbing stairs, and standing for scheduled shifts.

About Us

Together, American Food & Vending and American Dining Creations form one of the nation’s largest privately held dining and refreshment service organizations. Family-owned and headquartered in Syracuse, NY, we have served clients nationwide for more than 80 years, delivering customized dining and refreshment solutions across business, education, healthcare and cultural environments.

Recognized by NAMA and our peers as Operator of the Year, we combine national capabilities with a personal, responsive approach to create exceptional experiences for our clients and guests.

Our Mission

To create moments of happiness through customized hospitality experiences that delight guests and bring people together.

Our Vision

To be the best in the industry at elevating hospitality experiences for places where people want to be.

Our Values: F.I.R.S.T.

Family – Treat people as family.

Integrity – Do the right thing.

Responsiveness – Listen first. Then act with urgency.

Service Excellence – Deliver exceptional experiences every day.

Teamwork – Win together.

American Dining Creations Offers:

• Weekly Pay
• 401K with match
• Delicious employee meal and beverage during your shift
• Employee Referral Bonus Program
• Employee Assistance Program
• Some positions may include flexible hours and shifts
• Eligible employees offered Medical, Prescription, Dental, and Vision Plans
• Uniforms and Safety Shoes provided
• Learning and advancement opportunities

American Food & Vending is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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