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Lead Cook

Confidential ClientRetail
Entry LevelFull-timeOn-Site$42,358
Chantilly, Virginia
16 Hours Ago

The Lead Cook at Confidential Client is a culinary leadership role responsible for assisting the Sous Chef in managing kitchen operations and employees, ensuring high-quality meal preparation, and fostering team development. This position involves following recipes, maintaining food safety standards, educating customers and staff, and supporting profitability through excellent product quality and team performance. The role includes a structured training program leading to full Lead Cook responsibilities in the Restaurant Foods Kitchen.

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Description

About Careertakes

👉 Important disclosure: Careertakes is a third-party recruiting platform supporting this hiring process. If selected, you will be employed directly by our client, Hospitality & Catering.

Applicants for this role may also receive access to additional matched opportunities through the Careertakes platform.


What You’ll Do

This role is for an entry-level Lead Cook position in a fast-paced retail/restaurant kitchen environment. You will support kitchen operations, help train and develop cooks, and maintain high food quality and safety standards.

  • Assist the Sous Chef in running daily kitchen operations and supervising staff in the Sous Chef’s absence
  • Prepare menu items by following recipes and proper cooking techniques to ensure consistent quality and presentation
  • Train, coach, and mentor prep and line cooks — provide feedback, resources and development opportunities
  • Work with cross-department teams to create complete meal solutions and recommend product pairings to customers
  • Monitor food quality, portion control, and waste to support profitability
  • Maintain a clean, safe, and sanitary work environment; follow food safety and quality assurance procedures

Skills & Qualifications (Required)

  • 2+ years’ experience as a prep or line cook
  • Working knowledge of food safety and quality assurance procedures (e.g., safe food handling, temperature controls)
  • Must be at least 18 years old
  • Availability for morning, afternoon and evening shifts, including weekends
  • Strong teamwork, communication, and basic supervisory skills

Preferred Qualifications

  • Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Culinary Arts (preferred, not required)
  • Experience in multi-faceted foodservice operations (restaurant, hotel, conference center, casino, theme park, country club, etc.)
  • Previous experience leading a small kitchen team or training cooks

Compensation & Benefits

  • Hourly pay: $21.75 - $22.50 per hour
  • Opportunity to earn a bonus up to $1,500
  • Comprehensive benefits (subject to eligibility): paid time off (PTO), premium pay for overtime/Sundays/holidays, health care options, retirement plan with 401(k) match, scholarship program, and employee & family wellness resources

Training & Career Path

  • This role is part of an entry-level structured training program designed for completion within ~6 months with a mentor/trainer
  • Successful completion typically results in placement as a Lead Cook in the Restaurant Foods Kitchen area and opens internal advancement opportunities

Additional Details

  • Work location: Candidates may be considered for multiple store locations within the region based on openings (exact store assignment determined by the client). Address listed in source materials: 14361 Newbrook Drive.
  • Schedule: Full-time; shifts may include mornings, afternoons, evenings and weekends.
  • Confidential Client is an Equal Opportunity Employer and will consider applicants without regard to protected characteristics. Reasonable accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities during the application process — contact the recruiter or Careertakes for assistance.

Equal Opportunity & Hiring Transparency

Careertakes and our client are Equal Opportunity Employers committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We prohibit discrimination or harassment of any kind. To support a fair and efficient hiring process, AI tools may be used to assist with application review or resume screening. These tools do not replace human decision-making. Final hiring decisions are made by people.

If you have questions about how your data is used, please contact us directly.

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