Lead Cook - Seafood Dept.

Uncle Gs Management Corp.; Town of Hempstead (NY); On-site; USD 54,000 - 76,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

401(k) with company match

Paid Time Off (PTO)

50% off lunch and 25% off in-store

Job summary

Uncle Giuseppe’s in Melville is seeking a brand-new full-time Lead Cook to lead a seafood kitchen and guide a small, energetic team. You’ll oversee prep, cooking, and plating, ensuring every dish reflects the family-table standard.

You bring hands-on cooking experience, leadership potential, and a passion for fast-paced environments. Benefits include medical, dental, vision, 401(k) match, PTO, lunch-discount, and shopping perks.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED.
• 2+ years of experience as a prep or line cook (leadership experience a plus!).
• Strong cooking skills and a love for working in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent communication in English; bilingual English/Spanish is a plus.
• ServSafe certification preferred.
• Solid understanding of cooking methods and kitchen techniques.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and participate in preparing, cooking, and plating delicious dishes from Uncle Giuseppe’s recipes.
• Confidently navigate Zipline to retrieve recipes, communicate updates, and complete tasks.
• Keep every bite consistent — from taste to presentation to portion.
• Lead and inspire your kitchen crew, including seafood clerks, with patience and skill.
• Share cooking wisdom — teach techniques, safety, and equipment use.
• Keep the kitchen humming smoothly, even during the lunch rush.
• Manage inventory, monitor stock levels, and ensure every ingredient has its place.
• Maintain safety and sanitation standards that health inspectors expect.
• Taste-test dishes to ensure they meet Uncle Giuseppe’s standards.
• Collaborate with the culinary team to dream up new recipes and seasonal specials.
• Keep an eye on food costs and waste; manage inventory to avoid shortages or over-ordering.

Skills

Cooking skills

Team leadership

Communication

ServSafe

Bilingual English/Spanish

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Zipline

Job description

We’re cooking up something new at our Melville location — and it smells like opportunity! Our store is thrilled to announce a brand-new, full-time Lead Cook position in our bustling kitchen.

If you’re passionate about flavor, teamwork, and creating dishes that make customers say “wow,” this is your moment to shine. As our Lead Cook, you’ll take the reins in our seafood kitchen, guiding a small but mighty team, keeping operations running smoothly, and ensuring every plate leaving the kitchen looks (and tastes!) like it came straight from an Italian family table.

Must have hands-on cooking experience — any style, any cuisine. If you love to cook, we want to meet you!

What You’ll Do

Food Preparation & Cooking

1. Oversee and participate in preparing, cooking, and plating delicious dishes from Uncle Giuseppe’s recipes
2. Confidently navigate Zipline to retrieve recipes, communicate updates, and complete tasks.
3. Keep every bite consistent — from taste to presentation to portion.

Team Leadership & Training

1. Lead and inspire your kitchen crew, including seafood clerks, with patience and skill.
2. Share your cooking wisdom — teach techniques, safety, and equipment use.
3. Keep the kitchen humming smoothly, even during the lunch rush!

Kitchen Operations & Organization

1. Manage inventory, monitor stock levels, and ensure every ingredient has its place.
2. Keep your kitchen sparkling clean and fully functional.
3. Maintain safety and sanitation standards that would make any health inspector proud.

Quality Control & Consistency

1. Taste-test dishes to make sure they meet Uncle G’s standards.
2. Adjust recipes or methods when needed to keep things fresh and fantastic.

Menu Development & Specials

1. Collaborate with the culinary team to dream up new recipes and seasonal specials.
2. Share creative ideas that bring excitement to the counter.

Cost Management

1. Keep an eye on food costs and waste — it keeps us efficient and sustainable.
2. Manage inventory smartly — no empty shelves, no over-ordering.

Customer Interaction & Communication

1. Partner with front-of-house staff to ensure flawless communication.
2. Occasionally interact with customers during fun events like Fish Fry days!

Health & Safety Compliance

1. Be the role model for food safety, hygiene, and proper handling practices.
2. Ensure your team follows all health codes and cleanliness standards.

Problem Solving & Stress Management

1. Stay cool under pressure
2. Handle issues quickly and efficiently to keep things on track.

Collaboration with Management

1. Communicate regularly with the Seafood Manager and leadership team.
2. Offer feedback and ideas to keep improving operations and staff performance.

What You Bring to the Table

1. High school diploma or GED
2. 2+ years of experience as a prep or line cook (leadership experience a plus!)
3. Strong cooking skills and a love for working in a fast-paced environment
4. Excellent communication in English; bilingual English/Spanish is a plus
5. ServSafe certification preferred
6. Solid understanding of cooking methods and kitchen techniques

What’s In It For You

We take care of our team with a comprehensive benefits package, including:

1. Medical, dental, and vision coverage
2. 401(k) with company match
3. Paid Time Off (PTO)
4. 50% off lunch and 25% off in-store shopping
5. And plenty of opportunities to grow your career with us!

Working Conditions

This role keeps you active and on your feet — moving, reaching, lifting (up to 30 lbs, sometimes more with a little help), and keeping pace in a lively kitchen surrounded by the sizzle of grills and hum of equipment. You’ll experience both the heat of the oven and the chill of the cooler, so flexibility is key. Safety and teamwork are always top priorities.

If you’re ready to lead with flavor, fun, and finesse — come join the Uncle Giuseppe’s family and make your mark in our kitchen!