Lead Cook Trainee
The Lead Cook Trainee role at Confidential Client is an entry-level culinary leadership position focused on developing cooking and management skills through a structured 6-month training program. The trainee assists the Sous Chef in kitchen operations, employee management, and ensures high-quality food preparation while fostering team development and customer education. This role offers hands-on experience in a dynamic food service environment with opportunities for career advancement.
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.
Position overview
Confidential Client is hiring an entry-level Lead Cook Trainee for a full-time, structured culinary training program. This role combines hands-on kitchen work with mentorship and people development. The program is designed to be completed within six months and, upon successful completion, places trainees into a Lead Cook role in the Restaurant Foods / kitchen area.
- Schedule: Full time
- Availability: Morning, Afternoon, Evening (includes weekends)
- Shift start times: as early as 6:00 AM
- Age requirement: 18 years or older
- Location: Westwood, MA
- Pay: $23.00 - $25.25 per hour
- Bonus: Opportunity to earn a hiring/retention bonus of up to $2,500
- Program length: Structured training program (approximately 6 months) with mentor support
What You’ll Do
- Assist the sous chef and kitchen leadership with daily kitchen operations and staff supervision
- Follow recipes and standardized cooking techniques to ensure consistent quality and presentation
- Train, coach, and mentor cooks; provide feedback and development to improve team performance
- Educate customers and colleagues about products and prepared-meal solutions; make suggestions that highlight cross-department offerings
- Maintain food safety, sanitation, and quality assurance standards to meet regulatory and company requirements
- Help manage inventory, waste control, and contribute to profitability goals
Qualifications
Required
- 2+ years of experience as a prep cook or line cook
- Demonstrated knowledge of food safety and quality assurance practices
- Ability to work early shifts, nights, weekends, and holidays as needed
- Strong teamwork skills and a willingness to learn in a high-volume, multi-faceted food environment
Preferred
- Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Culinary Arts or related field
- Experience in diverse foodservice settings (restaurant, hotel, country club, conference center, casino, theme park, etc.)
- Prior experience training or supervising kitchen staff
Compensation & benefits
Confidential Client offers a competitive pay range and a robust benefits package. Typical offerings include:
- Pay: $23.00 - $25.25 per hour
- Earn a bonus up to $2,500 (program-specific eligibility applies)
- Paid time off (PTO)
- Higher premium pay rates for overtime, Sundays, and recognized holidays
- Health care benefits
- Retirement plan with employer match (401(k) or similar)
- Scholarship programs and professional development support
- Employee wellness programs and other employee assistance resources
(Actual benefits and eligibility may vary by location and position.)
Additional details
- This is an entry-level, structured training role intended to develop cooks into Lead Cooks within approximately six months.
- Candidates may be considered for multiple nearby store locations based on openings and business needs.
- Confidential Client is committed to accessible hiring. If you require an accommodation to apply, please contact 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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