Lead Cook / Kitchen Lead – Scratch Kitchen

Arizona Culinary; Surprise (AZ); On-site; USD 48,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Quench Taps & Tapas in Surprise, AZ, is seeking an experienced culinary professional for a hands-on kitchen role that can grow into leadership.

You will work across stations, execute recipes precisely, and maintain high food safety and presentation standards.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years of professional cooking experience, preferably in a scratch kitchen.
• Demonstrated proficiency in sauté, protein cookery, knife skills, and sauce preparation.
• Experience executing multiple dishes simultaneously during busy service.
• Ability to read, understand, and consistently follow detailed recipes.
• Strong attention to presentation, organization, and cleanliness.
• Reliable employment history and professional references.
• Ability to work independently while contributing to a small team.
• Experience in independently owned restaurants, upscale casual dining, fine dining, or chef-driven kitchens is especially relevant.

Responsibilities

• Execute menu items from established recipes using fresh ingredients.
• Manage sauté, grill, and other hot-line stations during service.
• Maintain consistent cooking techniques, portions, plating, and presentation.
• Prepare house-made sauces, proteins, and other menu components.
• Coordinate ticket timing and communicate effectively with other stations.
• Maintain proper food safety, sanitation, labeling, and storage standards.
• Assist with inventory, ordering, and weekly prep planning.
• Support training and development of other kitchen employees.
• Gradually assume additional kitchen leadership responsibilities based on demonstrated ability.

Skills

3+ years cooking experience

Sauté proficiency

Protein cookery

Knife skills

Sauce preparation

Multiple dishes simultaneously

Follow detailed recipes

Presentation and cleanliness

Teamwork and independence

Job description

Quench Taps & Tapas | Surprise, ArizonaFull-Time | Approximately 35–40 Hours Weekly

Position Overview

Quench Taps & Tapas is an independently owned, upscale-casual restaurant specializing in scratch-made tapas, creative small plates, and thoughtfully prepared food.We are seeking an experienced culinary professional with strong scratch-cooking skills who can take ownership of a working kitchen position and grow into a leadership role.This is a hands-on cooking position in a small, professional kitchen. The ideal candidate is technically capable, organized, detail-oriented, and confident working multiple stations.

Responsibilities

• Execute menu items from established recipes using fresh ingredients.


• Manage sauté, grill, and other hot-line stations during service.


• Maintain consistent cooking techniques, portions, plating, and presentation.


• Prepare house-made sauces, proteins, and other menu components.


• Coordinate ticket timing and communicate effectively with other stations.


• Maintain proper food safety, sanitation, labeling, and storage standards.


• Assist with inventory, ordering, and weekly prep planning.


• Support training and development of other kitchen employees.


• Gradually assume additional kitchen leadership responsibilities based on demonstrated ability.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years of professional cooking experience, preferably in a scratch kitchen.


• Demonstrated proficiency in sauté, protein cookery, knife skills, and sauce preparation.


• Experience executing multiple dishes simultaneously during busy service.


• Ability to read, understand, and consistently follow detailed recipes.


• Strong attention to presentation, organization, and cleanliness.


• Reliable employment history and professional references.


• Ability to work independently while contributing to a small team.

Experience in independently owned restaurants, upscale casual dining, fine dining, or chef-driven kitchens is especially relevant.

Compensation & Schedule

• Approximately 35–40 hours weekly.


• Tuesday–Saturday schedule, including evenings.


• Starting compensation based on demonstrated culinary experience and ability.


• Participation in the BOH tip pool, currently averaging approximately $1–$2 additional per hour during slower periods. Tips vary with business volume.


• Opportunity for compensation growth as responsibilities and leadership capabilities develop.

Opportunity

This position offers a path toward assuming day-to-day kitchen leadership while maintaining the established recipes, standards, and culinary identity of Quench.We are looking for an experienced working cook who takes pride in craftsmanship, consistency, and professional accountability.