Lead Line Cook: Path to Sous Chef in Fast-Paced Kitchen

White Lodging; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 52,000 - 68,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

DailyPay

Shift scheduling app

Referral bonuses

401(k) matching

Paid time off

Wellness tools

Tuition reimbursement

Hotel discounts

Job summary

White Lodging is seeking a Lead Line Cook to join our culinary team in a fast-paced hotel kitchen. This leadership role offers hands-on experience guiding daily back-of-house operations and mentoring junior cooks, with a clear path toward becoming a Sous Chef.

You'll oversee BOH tasks in the Sous Chef's absence, maintain quality standards, and ensure food safety compliance across shifts while driving cost controls and guest satisfaction in a premium hospitality environment.

Qualifications

• Solid working knowledge of commercial kitchen equipment and culinary techniques.
• Proficient in sautéing, broiling, frying, roasting, butchery, garde manger, pantry, and breakfast cookery.
• Experience leading or mentoring kitchen staff—lead cook or senior cook experience strongly preferred.
• Culinary degree, culinary school training, or apprenticeship preferred — not required.
• Ability to stand and move at a fast pace in a high-volume kitchen.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a Sous Chef in training — stepping into full kitchen management responsibilities and overseeing BOH operations in the Sous Chef's absence.
• Mentor and collaborate with Entry Level Cooks, Line Cooks, culinary apprentices, and stewards while managing daily food preparation and production in the food outlet.
• Follow company F&B procedures, health department regulations, and federal food safety guidelines.
• Assist in maintaining food cost and labor cost standards to meet financial targets.
• Check ingredient freshness; enforce all recipe standards and portion-use records across the team.
• Monitor guest feedback scores and proactively influence food quality and service consistency.
• Foster a culture of cooperation, respect, and professional kitchen standards among all coworkers.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Kitchen equipment

Sautéing

Broiling

Frying

Roasting

Butchery

Garde manger

Line cook leadership

Stamina

Education

Culinary degree or apprenticeship

Job description

White Lodging is seeking a Lead Line Cook to join our culinary team in a fast-paced hotel kitchen. This leadership role offers hands-on experience guiding daily back-of-house operations and mentoring junior cooks, with a clear path toward becoming a Sous Chef.

You'll oversee BOH tasks in the Sous Chef's absence, maintain quality standards, and ensure food safety compliance across shifts while driving cost controls and guest satisfaction in a premium hospitality environment.