Hyatt Regency Lake Washington is seeking a Lead Cook to join our culinary team. This role is responsible for overseeing daily food preparation, maintaining consistent food quality, and ensuring efficient service during busy operating hours at our seasonal outdoor venue. We are looking for someone with strong culinary skills and leadership ability who thrives in a fast-paced environment while upholding high standards for flavor, presentation, cleanliness, and food safety.
What You'll Do
- Train and mentor junior cooks, providing feedback to line cooks and kitchen staff.
- Assist in managing inventory levels, ensuring all ingredients are fresh and available.
- Set up your station, prepare mise en place, and ensure all ingredients are prepped, organized, and ready for service each day.
- Execute the preparation, cooking, and presentation of dishes according to the restaurant’s standards and recipes.
- Monitor food quality throughout the cooking process, ensuring dishes meet taste, texture, and presentation criteria.
- Work closely with other kitchen staff to maintain a smooth workflow during service.
- Assist with inventory control, ensuring proper stock rotation, minimal waste, and timely replenishment.
- Keep your workstation clean, organized, and stocked, adhering to health and safety regulations.
- Follow all food handling, sanitation, storage, and rotation protocols.
- Manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment, ensuring orders are completed accurately and efficiently.
- Assist in the development and refinement of menu items based on guest feedback and seasonal ingredients.
- Maintain knowledge of all recipes, plating guidelines, and techniques specific to each menu.
- Assist chefs with ordering needs.
What We're Looking For
- Must be over the age of 18.
- Requires good communication skills.
- Proven experience in a high volume, fast-paced restaurant.
- Strong understanding of cooking techniques.
- Team oriented with a proactive and problem-solving attitude.
- Able to cook meat to requested temperature from rare to well done.
- Ability to operate kitchen equipment efficiently and safely.
- Strong organization and time-management skills.
- Able to read and recreate recipes.
- Candidates should be able to perform all basic and intermediate cooking skills.
- Able to work multiple stations in the kitchen.
- Flexibility in scheduling including weekends and holidays.
- Possess a valid food handler's card.
Nice to Have
- 4 years of previous line experience preferred.
Team & Environment
You will be in a lead role within our kitchen team and may coordinate service in the Chef’s absence.
Benefits & Compensation
- Compensation: $25.00 to $32.50 per hour.
- Free uniforms and uniform cleaning.
- Paid sick leave.
- 401(k) plan.
- Free parking.
- Discounted room nights and Friends and Family discounts at any participating Hyatt location starting on your first day of employment.
- Free colleague meals during your shift.
- Unlimited growth potential with Hyatt, including the ability to relocate for advancement opportunities.
Work Mode
This is an onsite position located at our property in Renton, WA.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.
