Lead Cook - Banquets

Caesars Entertainment; South Lake Tahoe (CA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Caesars Entertainment in South Lake Tahoe is seeking a Banquets Lead Cook to oversee food production for banquet and special events, ensuring menu items are prepared to quality standards and plated on schedule.

You will lead kitchen staff, coordinate timing for service, and maintain high-volume operations with strong food safety practices. This role requires extensive culinary experience and leadership ability to mentor cooks across outlets for exceptional guest experiences.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent preferred; Certificates in culinary arts, ACF Certification, etc., preferred
• Minimum of 5 years of cooking in a high quality establishment
• Heavy experience in cooking soups, sauces and gravies or completed three-year apprenticeship program and/or completion of accredited culinary school
• Ability to understand and respond to written order, recipes and directs in English
• Ability to work flexible time periods as required of a cook in a resort environment as well as be flexible enough to work in multiple outlets as needed
• Knowledge of breads, pastries, bakery production
• Demonstrated expert skill level on all cook stations
• Demonstrated leadership skills with a focus on coaching for success; ability to mentor
• Ability to oversee the daily operations of the kitchen in the absence of a Chef
• Ability to uphold and demonstrate the highest level of integrity in all situations and recognize standards required by a regulated business
• Acts as a role model to other Team Members and always presents oneself as a credit to Caesars Entertainment and encourages others to do the same.
• Adheres to all regulatory, company and department policies and procedures

Responsibilities

• Performs all functions of a Cook I and Cook II.
• Maintains adequate supply of menu items.
• Maintains assigned facility in a sanitary condition and equipment in operational condition.
• Inspects assigned areas and coordinates cleaning activities with the Kitchen Steward.
• Regularly inspects food in steam tables to insure freshness.
• Protects company assets against stealing, breakage and waste.
• Provides leadership and training to lower level cooks.
• Continues to update cooking knowledge through books, magazines and discussions with the Executive Chef and Executive Sous Chef.

Skills

Leadership

Mentoring

English proficiency

Cook stations

Food safety

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Culinary certificate / ACF Certification

Job description

Job Summary

The Banquets Lead Cook is responsible for overseeing food production for banquet and special event functions, ensuring all menu items are prepared accurately, efficiently, and to established quality standards. This role leads and supports banquet culinary staff during event execution, coordinates timing and plating to meet service deadlines, and maintains consistency across high–volume service. The Banquets Lead Cook works closely with kitchen leadership to ensure smooth operations, proper food handling, and an exceptional guest experience for events of all sizes.

How You Will Create the Extraordinary

• Performs all functions of a Cook I and Cook II.
• Maintains adequate supply of menu items.
• Maintains assigned facility in a sanitary condition and equipment in operational condition.
• Inspects assigned areas and coordinates cleaning activities with the Kitchen Steward.
• Regularly inspects food in steam tables to insure freshness.
• Protects company assets against stealing, breakage and waste.
• Provides leadership and training to lower level cooks.
• Continues to update cooking knowledge through books, magazines and discussions with the Executive Chef and Executive Sous Chef.

What You Will Need

• High School Diploma or equivalent preferred; Certificates in culinary arts, ACF Certification, etc., preferred
• Minimum of 5 years of cooking in a high quality establishment
• Heavy experience in cooking soups, sauces and gravies or completed three-year apprenticeship program and/or completion of accredited culinary school
• Ability to understand and respond to written order, recipes and directs in English
• Ability to work flexible time periods as required of a cook in a resort environment as well as be flexible enough to work in multiple outlets as needed
• Knowledge of breads, pastries, bakery production
• Demonstrated expert skill level on all cook stations
• Demonstrated leadership skills with a focus on coaching for success; ability to mentor
• Ability to oversee the daily operations of the kitchen in the absence of a Chef
• Ability to uphold and demonstrate the highest level of integrity in all situations and recognize standards required by a regulated business
• Acts as a role model to other Team Members and always presents oneself as a credit to Caesars Entertainment and encourages others to do the same.
• Adheres to all regulatory, company and department policies and procedures

Additional Requirements

• Ability to correctly lift and transport objects weighing up to 50 lbs.
• Ability to work a minimum of 8 hours with appropriate mobility and endurance
• Ability to stand for 8 hours
• Visual range must include immediate environment
• Auditory range must include near and medium distances.
• Dexterity to use food preparation machinery
• Ability to use repetitive hand motion, holding and grasping
• Ability to tolerate extreme temperatures
• Positions that have contact with the public require the ability to work in a noisy environment and may be exposed to guests who use tobacco products. Also, non-public contact positions may be required to enter public areas from time to time, in connection with their duties, and may be subject to the same environment.

Disclaimer

These statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed in this position. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of the position. The Company reserves the right to make changes to the job description whenever necessary.

As part of the onboarding process for new hires, candidates will be required to complete a background check. In addition, pre-employment drug testing is mandatory for any role operating a motor vehicle (Valet, Bus Drivers, Limo Drivers), Facilities and/or Engineering, Lifeguards, Pilots, Security and Surveillance roles. Pre-employment screenings will be completed prior to an offer being extended, except where applicable law requires that such pre-employment screening may occur post-offer. The Company is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against employees or applicants based on race, color, national origin, sex, age over 40, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

ADA

Caesars Entertainment will engage in an interactive process and make reasonable accommodations, as required by law, for individuals with disabilities or to accommodate pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, or where a conflict exists between the position and an individuals’ religious beliefs or practices.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Caesars Entertainment is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Caesars Entertainment will not discriminate against any employee or applicant based upon a person’s race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, disability, status with regard to public assistance, age, sexual or affectional orientation, gender identity, familial status, ancestry, local human rights commission activity, citizenship, genetic information, protected veteran or military status, or any other protected class.

Job Info

• Job Identification 86956
• Job Category Food and Beverage & Culinary