Lead Cook - Banquets - Maryland

Lead Cook

The Lead Cook is responsible for overseeing daily culinary operations to ensure all food preparation, production, and presentation meet the high standards of quality and consistency expected at Live! Casino & Hotel. This role plays a critical part in supporting kitchen leadership by supervising line staff, maintaining strict adherence to sanitation and safety protocols, and ensuring stations are prepared to meet business demands. Your advanced culinary skills, ability to guide team members, and commitment to operational efficiency directly contribute to delivering an exceptional dining experience for every guest. By upholding recipe standards, coordinating workflow, and fostering a professional, collaborative kitchen environment, you help sustain the culinary excellence that defines our brand.

Compensation: $21.00 per hour

Responsibilities

Where You'll Make an Impact:

• Prepare and cook dishes according to recipes or instructions provided.
• Train new hires and instruct staff on proper cooking techniques and safety protocols.
• Collaborate with the Sous Chef or Chef D'Cuisine to ensure overall success of the kitchen and restaurant.
• Ensures stations are prepared to meet anticipated levels of business for the day, assisting fellow staff when needed.
• Validated on all stations (including Prep).
• Accomplish daily cleaning duties in an efficient manner following sanitation guidelines.
• Ability to properly handle high volume cooking and plating while maintaining consistent quality of food in a fast-paced environment.
• Knowledge of safety procedures to ensure employee safety.
• Follows all appropriate procedures and works under supervision of culinary management team.
• Promote teamwork and quality service through daily communication and coordination with other departments.
• May occasionally interact directly with guests.
• Abides by company and department specific appearance standards.
• Demonstrates professionalism that reflects our brand and company values.
• Performs additional duties as assigned.

Skills to Help You Succeed:

• Ability to use all kitchen equipment and appliances.
• Ability to read and write basic instructions. Knowledge of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment).
• Ability to be creative with cooking and food preparation.
• Ability to Read and interpret production lists, menus, and Banquet event orders.
• Ability to complete accurate record keeping.
• Knowledge of sanitation and health department regulations for safe handling of food.

Qualifications

Must-Haves:

• A high school diploma or GED equivalent.
• Culinary arts courses or the equivalent experience.
• Five+ (5+) years' experience as a line of restaurant cook.
• Must have the ability to secure and maintain licensure as required by MSLA or any other applicable regulatory entity as may be required to perform assigned duties, or as required by Live's operating standards.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to stand for long periods of time without sitting or leaning.
• Ability to bend, stoop and reach while carrying food product, equipment, trash/waste weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to lift, carry, deliver food items weighing up to 50 pounds throughout a scheduled shift.
• Ability to work around 500 degree ovens and work within 40 degree walk-in refrigerators.
• Ability to stand and walk continually throughout a 10 hr. shift.

Working Conditions:

• 24/7 high energy casino with over 300,000 sq. ft of gaming and entertainment space and approximately 3000 employees
• Exposed to alcohol, cigarette and cigar smoke, bright lights, and loud noises.
• You will work in an environment where smoking is allowed.

Please note that this is a union position, and individuals in this role may be required to pay applicable union dues and fees.

We encourage Team Members to share their preferred shift availability, and we will strive to accommodate individual scheduling preferences whenever possible and consistent with business needs. Please note that this is a union-represented position and scheduling is governed by the applicable collective bargaining agreement. Team Members may be required to participate in shift bids, and shift assignments may change based on operational requirements and Team Member seniority.

What We Offer

Perks We Offer You:

• Comprehensive group health benefits for full-time and part-time Team Members and their eligible dependents. Other benefits for full-time and part-time Team Members may include:
  • Free Basic Life Insurance
  • Free Short Term & Long-Term Disability
  • Generous retirement savings options
  • Paid Time Off
  • Tuition Reimbursement
• On-site Wellness center for Team Members and eligible dependents (Maryland Property only)
• Training and pathways for career growth
• Robust Rewards & Recognition Programs
• Annual Merit Based Pay Increases
• Discretionary Performance Bonuses
• Discretionary Service Bonuses
• Free parking
• Free food and discounted meals
• Live! Hotel, Food & Beverage, and Entertainment Discounts

Life at Live! Individuals chosen to be part of the Live! Team can expect:

• To be part of an exciting experience unlike any other in the market.
• To be given the power and responsibility to put service and community first.
• To come together as a strong team, while valuing and celebrating our diversity.
• To be given the tools, resources, and opportunity to grow in their career.
• To work hard and have fun.
• Live is a 24 hour /7 days per week high energy casino with a culture committed to fairness, teamwork, and most importantly FUN.
• The casino is large and fast paced, requiring the ability and energy to move about it with a true sense of urgency!
• Exposed to alcohol, cigarette and cigar smoke, bright lights, and loud noises.
• You will work in an environment where smoking is allowed.