Kitchen Lead

Are you a passionate culinary professional with strong leadership skills and a commitment to quality? The Strand Café, located inside the Canopy by Hilton Ithaca Downtown, is looking for a motivated Kitchen Lead to help oversee daily kitchen operations and support our culinary team. Responsibilities Lead and support kitchen staff to ensure smooth, efficient daily operations. Oversee food preparation, cooking, plating, and presentation to maintain high-quality standards. Ensure food safety, sanitation, and cleanliness standards are consistently followed. Assist with inventory management, ordering, receiving, and proper food storage. Monitor food costs, minimize waste, and help maintain budget goals. Assist with scheduling, training, and mentoring kitchen team members. Coordinate with front-of-house management to ensure timely service and an excellent guest experience. Maintain consistency in recipes, portion sizes, and food quality. Help troubleshoot kitchen challenges and keep service running efficiently during busy periods. Qualifications Previous kitchen experience required; leadership experience preferred. Strong knowledge of food safety, sanitation, and kitchen procedures. Ability to lead a team in a fast-paced restaurant environment. Excellent communication, organization, and time-management skills. Ability to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed. ServSafe certification preferred, or willingness to obtain certification. What We’re Looking For A dependable, hands-on team leader who takes pride in their work, leads by example, and is committed to delivering an outstanding dining experience for our hotel guests and local community. Join our team at The Strand Café and grow with us! Baywood Hotels is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating inclusive environments for all employees. #J-18808-Ljbffr