Lead Cook

Lead Cook

Mico's Hot Chicken is seeking an experienced and dependable Lead Cook to help oversee daily kitchen operations and support the team in delivering consistently great food. As a Lead Cook, you will set the pace on the line, help train and guide fellow cooks, and ensure food quality, cleanliness, and efficiency meet our standards. You will act as the right hand to the Kitchen Manager and be a go-to leader for the BOH team during service. This is a hands-on role for someone who loves to cook, leads by example, and thrives in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment.

Food Quality & Preparation:

• Prepare and cook food to Mico's standards with precision, speed, and consistency.
• Lead by example in maintaining recipe accuracy, portioning, and food presentation.
• Monitor food quality and freshness throughout service, making adjustments as needed.
• Manage the pace and flow of tickets to ensure timely and accurate orders.

Shift Leadership & Training:

• Serve as the point person on the line, directing cooks and ensuring proper station coverage.
• Support Kitchen Manager in training new cooks on procedures, recipes, and food safety standards.
• Provide real-time feedback, coaching, and support to kitchen team members.
• Step in to resolve minor issues or escalate to Kitchen Manager when needed.

Station Management & Organization:

• Oversee prep and station setup to ensure readiness before each shift.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and efficient line at all times.
• Uphold proper storage, labeling, and rotation of ingredients to minimize waste.
• Support closing and end-of-shift duties to leave the kitchen clean and prepped for the next day.

Health & Safety:

• Enforce food safety standards, proper hygiene, and cleanliness procedures among team members.
• Ensure compliance with all local health codes and Mico's internal standards.
• Report maintenance, equipment, or safety issues to Kitchen Manager promptly.

Teamwork & Culture:

• Foster a collaborative, positive work environment by leading with integrity and professionalism.
• Communicate effectively and respectfully with BOH and FOH teams to ensure smooth service.
• Be willing to assist wherever needed, supporting both FOH and BOH as one team rather than separate roles.
• Lead by example in maintaining pace, urgency, and high standards during peak hours.

You'll Stand Out at Mico's If

• You lead from the front, showing your team what great cooking and urgency look like during every shift.
• You naturally take ownership of your station and the kitchen, stepping up when things get busy or challenging.
• You are passionate about teaching and supporting others, helping teammates improve while maintaining high standards.
• You stay calm, clear, and focused when the kitchen is slammed, keeping ticket times and quality in balance.
• You are detail-oriented, following recipes exactly while also spotting mistakes or inconsistencies quickly.
• You embrace change and flexibility, adapting to new menu items, team members, or ways of working.
• You thrive in a fast-paced, high-volume kitchen where teamwork, speed, and quality all matter every minute of the shift.

Qualifications:

• Previous experience as a Lead Cook or Senior Line Cook in a high-volume kitchen required.
• Strong leadership and communication skills with a team-first attitude.
• Deep understanding of kitchen operations, food safety, and line management.
• Ability to work efficiently and stay calm in high-pressure, fast-paced environments.
• Flexible availability, including nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Food Handler's Certification (or willingness to obtain upon hire).

Must align with Mico's Core Values:

Mastery - We appreciate excellence

Integrity - We do the right thing even when no one is watching

Caring - We treat others and ourselves with respect and love

Ownership - We are proud of our work

Servant Leadership - We look for ways to make someone's day

Why Join Us?

At Mico's Hot Chicken, we take pride in serving high-quality food with a great team. We offer competitive pay, a positive work environment, and growth opportunities as we expand. If you're passionate about great food and teamwork, apply today!

Mico's Hot chicken is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Requirements:

• Consistently prioritizes cleanliness, food safety
• Embodies all of the restaurant's core values
• Maintains productivity while always putting customers first
• Must be available Day shift Monday through Friday and Night Shift for Saturdays and Sundays

Company Information:

Mico's Hot Chicken first opened its window in June, 2019 as a food truck. We have grown and transitioned from our truck into our first brick and mortar in the Heights! We hope you'll join us on our journey to make Mico's Hot Chicken one of the hottest experiences one can enjoy in Houston.

Our Mission:

We serve fresh, made from scratch recipes that are cooked to order and crafted with spice and flavor.

Our Vision:

We are on the road to becoming America's Hot Chicken and a household name.