Restaurant Cook

Old Carolina Barbecue Co.; Rocky River (OH); On-site; USD 21,000 - 28,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tip-inclusive pay

Flexible schedules

Benefits for team members

Paid vacation

Free meals during shifts

Uniforms provided

Paid training

Advancement opportunities

Team-oriented culture

Job summary

Old Carolina Barbecue Company is seeking dependable, hardworking individuals to join our fast-paced kitchen team, whether you’re an experienced cook or looking to build new skills, with training and growth opportunities.

As a Cook you’ll learn BBQ production, food safety, and line operations while delivering consistent quality and guest experiences; we offer tip-inclusive pay, flexible schedules, free meals, and a supportive, team‑oriented culture.

Qualifications

• Previous restaurant, kitchen, food preparation, or culinary experience preferred
• Strong work ethic and positive attitude
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment
• Strong attention to detail
• Ability to follow recipes, procedures, and quality standards
• Dependable attendance and punctuality
• Team-oriented mindset
• High school diploma or GED preferred

Responsibilities

• Prepare menu items according to company recipes and quality standards
• Cut, pull, assemble, and prepare food products properly
• Assist with smoker operations and BBQ production as needed
• Ensure food quality, consistency, freshness, and presentation standards are met
• Follow all food preparation procedures and recipes
• Stock and prepare workstations with products, utensils, and supplies
• Maintain proper food levels and product availability
• Assist with preparing bulk and catering orders
• Complete required prep, production, and sanitation tasks
• Follow daily and weekly kitchen checklists
• Prepare food accurately and efficiently to support exceptional guest experiences
• Help ensure timely order completion and minimal guest wait times
• Communicate effectively with managers and team members to maintain smooth operations
• Follow food safety, sanitation, and health department requirements
• Follow proper knife safety and equipment safety procedures
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe work environment
• Properly date, rotate, and store food products

Skills

Strong work ethic

Team-oriented

Attention to detail

Punctuality

Adaptability

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

Restaurant Cook | BBQ Restaurant

Old Carolina Barbecue Company (BBQ)

Full-Time or Part-Time Position

Pay: $15.00 - $20.00 per hour (includes tips)

Actual earnings may vary based on position, hours worked, and tip participation.

Love Great Food? So Do We.

Old Carolina Barbecue Company is looking for dependable, hardworking individuals who take pride in preparing great food and creating exceptional guest experiences.

Whether you’re an experienced cook or looking to build new skills, we provide the training, support, and opportunities needed to succeed. If you enjoy working in a fast-paced environment, being part of a team, and preparing award-winning BBQ, we’d love to meet you.

About Old Carolina Barbecue Company

Old Carolina Barbecue Company was built on a passion for authentic barbecue and a commitment to great hospitality. Before opening our first restaurant in Massillon, Ohio, we started as a competitive BBQ team dedicated to perfecting the craft of slow-smoked barbecue.

While our home is in North Canton, Ohio, our recipes, traditions, and cooking techniques are inspired by the rich barbecue heritage of the Carolinas. Today, Old Carolina Barbecue Company proudly operates eight locations throughout Northeast Ohio and Pennsylvania, serving authentic BBQ made with quality ingredients, time-honored methods, and a genuine commitment to our guests.

As we continue to grow, we are looking for team members who are passionate about food, hospitality, and being part of a company that values teamwork, development, and operational excellence.

Why Join Old Carolina Barbecue Company?

• Competitive hourly earnings that include tip income
• Flexible full-time and part-time schedules
• Medical, dental, and vision benefits for eligible team members
• Paid vacation for eligible full-time team members
• Free meals during shifts
• Company-provided uniforms
• Paid training
• Opportunities for advancement and promotion from within
• Supportive and team-oriented culture

The Opportunity

Our Cooks play a critical role in delivering the food quality our guests expect and the reputation that Old Carolina Barbecue Company has built.

As a Cook, you’ll learn food preparation techniques, BBQ production methods, food safety standards, and kitchen operations while working alongside a team committed to excellence.

Many of our leaders began their careers in hourly positions and advanced through hard work, reliability, and a commitment to continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities

Food Preparation & Quality

• Prepare menu items according to company recipes and quality standards
• Cut, pull, assemble, and prepare food products properly
• Assist with smoker operations and BBQ production as needed
• Ensure food quality, consistency, freshness, and presentation standards are met
• Follow all food preparation procedures and recipes

Kitchen Operations

• Stock and prepare workstations with products, utensils, and supplies
• Maintain proper food levels and product availability
• Assist with preparing bulk and catering orders
• Complete required prep, production, and sanitation tasks
• Follow daily and weekly kitchen checklists

Guest Service Support

• Prepare food accurately and efficiently to support exceptional guest experiences
• Help ensure timely order completion and minimal guest wait times
• Communicate effectively with managers and team members to maintain smooth operations

Food Safety & Sanitation

• Follow food safety, sanitation, and health department requirements
• Follow proper knife safety and equipment safety procedures
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe work environment
• Properly date, rotate, and store food products

Qualifications

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous restaurant, kitchen, food preparation, or culinary experience preferred
• Strong work ethic and positive attitude
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment
• Strong attention to detail
• Ability to follow recipes, procedures, and quality standards
• Dependable attendance and punctuality
• Team-oriented mindset
• High school diploma or GED preferred

No experience? No problem. We are willing to train motivated individuals who are eager to learn and grow.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those required to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods throughout the workday
• Ability to bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, and reach as needed
• Ability to regularly lift and carry up to 50 pounds
• Ability to work in a fast-paced kitchen environment
• Ability to safely operate kitchen equipment and food preparation tools

Work Schedule

This position may be offered as either full-time or part-time based on business needs and candidate availability.

Flexibility to work mornings, afternoons, evenings, weekends, and holidays may be required based on operational needs.

This position is classified as non-exempt and is eligible for overtime compensation in accordance with applicable federal and state laws.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Old Carolina Barbecue Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to creating an inclusive workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected status under applicable law.

Reasonable accommodations are available for qualified individuals with disabilities throughout the application and employment process.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States.

Over 20 years ago, high school buddies Brian Bailey and Tim Hug discovered a world of sights, aromas, and tastes on a road trip to “The Cradle of Q” — the Carolinas. They discovered a not‑secret world where recipes and techniques have been passed down through the generations in smokehouses, pits, and shacks. They fell in love with the mystique and the method, so Brian and Tim decided to bring Carolina low and slow BBQ up north to their native Ohio.
Everyone’s welcome at Old Carolina, and when you walk through the door you’re greeted by a smiling crew member ready to take your order. And with our “love at first bite or we’ll make it right” guarantee, we’ll do what it takes to ensure your meal is extraordinary. And when you leave, you’ll hear a “See ya next time!” Because after the first visit, you’re part of our family and we know you’ll be back.