Paid Time Off, Employee Discounts
Position Summary
Durango Cocina & Rooftop is seeking an experienced and dependable Lead Cook to support daily kitchen operations and help deliver consistently high-quality food. The Lead Cook will prepare menu items, guide kitchen employees during assigned shifts, maintain food-safety standards, and help ensure an organized and efficient kitchen.
The ideal candidate has strong line-cooking experience, leadership ability, attention to detail, and the ability to perform effectively in a fast-paced, upscale restaurant environment.
Key Responsibilities
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Prepare and cook menu items according to approved recipes, portions, presentation standards, and ticket times.
- Lead and coordinate cooks and kitchen employees during assigned shifts.
- Assign stations and tasks based on business volume and operational needs.
- Ensure proper kitchen opening, closing, preparation, and cleaning procedures are completed.
- Monitor food quality, freshness, taste, temperature, portion size, and presentation.
- Maintain proper food labeling, dating, rotation, storage, and FIFO procedures.
- Ensure compliance with food-safety, sanitation, hygiene, and workplace-safety requirements.
- Verify that cooking, holding, refrigeration, and storage temperatures are properly maintained.
- Monitor inventory levels and communicate shortages, waste, equipment problems, or supply needs to management.
- Help control food costs by minimizing waste, following recipes, and maintaining proper portion control.
- Assist with receiving, inspecting, and properly storing food deliveries.
- Train and coach kitchen employees on recipes, station procedures, cleanliness, and performance expectations.
- Maintain a clean, organized, and properly stocked workstation.
- Coordinate with front-of-house employees and management to support accurate and timely guest service.
- Address routine kitchen concerns and promptly report serious performance, safety, or operational issues to management.
- Support banquet, catering, special-event, and high-volume restaurant operations when needed.
- Perform other job-related duties assigned by management.
Qualifications
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At least two years of professional line-cooking experience preferred.
- Previous lead cook, shift lead, or kitchen-supervisory experience preferred.
- Knowledge of food preparation, cooking methods, sanitation, and kitchen safety.
- Ability to read and follow recipes, preparation lists, and production standards.
- Strong communication, organization, teamwork, and time-management skills.
- Ability to guide employees professionally and maintain composure during busy service periods.
- Current California Food Handler Card required.
- Food Protection Manager Certification is preferred.
- Bilingual English and Spanish communication skills are helpful but not required.
- Must be dependable, punctual, and available based on business needs.
Physical Requirements
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Ability to stand and walk for extended periods.
- Ability to lift, carry, push, or pull up to 50 pounds.
- Ability to bend, reach, twist, and perform repetitive kitchen tasks.
- Ability to work around hot surfaces, sharp equipment, steam, cold-storage areas, and cleaning products.
- Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced kitchen environment.
What We Are Looking For
We are looking for a hands-on kitchen leader who takes pride in food quality, cleanliness, teamwork, consistency, and guest satisfaction. The successful candidate will lead by example and help create a productive and respectful workplace.
Durango Cocina & Rooftop is an equal-opportunity employer.
