Lead Events Cook

Job Purpose

The Lead Events Cook plays a key role in delivering exceptional culinary experiences for meetings, banquets, and special events. This position is responsible for coordinating and executing food preparation and service, maintaining the highest standards of food quality, presentation, and safety, and providing hands-on leadership to culinary team members.

Working closely with culinary leadership and the Events team, the Lead Events Cook helps ensure that every event is executed efficiently, consistently, and in accordance with established standards while contributing to a positive and collaborative work environment.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead and actively participate in the preparation, cooking, plating, and presentation of food for banquets, meetings, and special events.

• Coordinate daily event production based on banquet event orders (BEOs), established menus, guest counts, dietary restrictions, and event timelines.

• Provide direction, guidance, and on-the-job training to culinary team members, ensuring consistent execution of recipes, portion sizes, and presentation standards.

• Collaborate with culinary leadership, Banquet Operations, and Event Planning teams to ensure seamless coordination and timely food service.

• Monitor food preparation and presentation to maintain established quality standards, consistency, and guest satisfaction.

• Ensure proper food handling, storage, labeling, temperature control, sanitation, and adherence to all applicable food safety regulations.

• Assist with inventory management, product rotation, receiving, and proper storage of food and supplies to minimize waste and maintain operational efficiency.

• Monitor food production quantities and assist with controlling food costs, waste, and labor efficiency.

• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe kitchen environment, ensuring equipment and workstations are properly maintained.

• Anticipate operational challenges and respond effectively to last-minute changes, special requests, and event-related needs.

• Assist culinary leadership with menu execution, recipe development, and opportunities to enhance the overall banquet dining experience.

• Foster a positive, professional, and team-oriented work environment by demonstrating strong communication, accountability, and a commitment to service excellence.

• Perform additional duties as assigned to support the overall success of the Culinary Department.