Line Cook & Shift Leads

Top Shooters; Columbia (IL); On-site; USD 22,000 - 25,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health/dental/vision insurance

Paid time off

Employee meal discounts

Flexible scheduling

Advancement opportunities

Job summary

Top Shooters in Columbia, IL is seeking dependable Line Cooks and Restaurant Kitchen Team Members for our high-volume sports bar and restaurant. You will work all kitchen stations—grill, fryer, sauté, prep, expo, cold line—and cross-train to cover shifts during busy game days and events.

We value punctuality, clear communication, and a strong work ethic, with competitive pay and benefits for eligible employees.

Qualifications

• Previous experience as a line cook or kitchen team member.
• Willingness to work all kitchen stations.
• Ability to work evenings, weekends, events.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and cook menu items accurately per Top Shooters recipes.
• Work all kitchen stations as needed.
• Maintain station cleanliness and organization.
• Follow food safety and sanitation procedures.
• Coordinate with staff to keep service on time.
• Assist with opening/closing duties as needed.
• Support team during high-volume service periods.
• Uphold a positive, team-first kitchen environment.

Skills

Line cook experience

Cross-training across kitchen stations

Food safety & sanitation

Team communication

Fast-paced work

Education

Food Handler certification (preferred; required upon hire)

Job description

Top Shooters is hiring dependable Line Cooks and Restaurant Kitchen Team Members for our high-volume sports bar and restaurant in Columbia, Illinois.

This is a fast-paced, all-stations kitchen position. Our line cooks are expected to be cross-trained and able to work wherever the kitchen needs support, including grill, fryer, sauté, prep, expo, and cold line.

Top Shooters is a busy restaurant and sports bar with high-volume evenings, weekends, events, and game days. We are looking for cooks who show up on time, move with urgency during a rush, communicate well with the team, and take pride in putting out consistent, quality food.

About Top Shooters:

Top Shooters is a high-volume restaurant and sports bar in Columbia, IL. Our kitchen is team-focused, fast-moving, and built around people who are dependable, flexible, and ready to help wherever needed.

We are not a slow kitchen. During busy shifts, everyone needs to be able to stay focused, keep their station stocked and clean, communicate clearly, and help the team keep ticket times moving.

If you enjoy restaurant work, take pride in your food, and want to be part of a solid kitchen team, we want to meet you.

What You’ll Do:

• Prepare and cook menu items accurately, consistently, and according to Top Shooters recipes and food presentation standards
• Work all kitchen stations as needed, including grill, fryer, prep, expo, cold line, and other assigned stations
• Stay on pace with ticket times and food quality during busy, high-volume service periods
• Complete food prep, portioning, labeling, stocking, rotation, and basic kitchen preparation tasks
• Keep your station clean, organized, stocked, and ready for service throughout the shift
• Follow food safety, sanitation, temperature-control, and workplace safety procedures
• Communicate with kitchen staff, bartenders, and managers to keep service running smoothly
• Assist with opening duties, closing duties, cleaning, dish support, stocking, and other back-of-house responsibilities as needed
• Help maintain a positive, accountable, team-first kitchen environment

What We’re Looking For:

• Previous experience as a line cook, prep cook, fry cook, sauté cook, short-order cook, restaurant cook, or kitchen team member is preferred
• Willingness and ability to learn and work all kitchen stations as needed
• This is not a single-station position; cooks must be flexible, cross-trained, and ready to support the kitchen wherever needed during a shift
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, high-volume restaurant kitchen
• Reliable attendance, punctuality, and a strong work ethic
• Ability to communicate clearly and work well as part of a team
• Strong attention to food quality, consistency, cleanliness, and detail
• Comfortable standing for long periods, lifting supplies, and working in a hot kitchen environment
• Availability to work evenings, weekends, holidays, events, and busy shifts
• Food Handler certification is a plus; but will be required upon hire

Pay & Perks:

• $16–$18 per hour, based on experience, performance, and reliability
• Full-time and part-time positions available
• Health, dental, and vision insurance for eligible full-time employees
• Paid time off for eligible employees
• Employee meal discounts
• Flexible scheduling
• Opportunities for advancement into lead cook and kitchen leadership roles

Schedule:

• Full-time and part-time shifts available
• Evening, weekend, holiday, and event availability is required
• Shift times may vary based on restaurant needs and business volume

Top Shooters is looking for hardworking, dependable cooks who are ready to learn, work all stations, and take pride in being part of a busy restaurant kitchen team.