Kitchen Operations Lead / Culinary Lead

Kitchen Operations Lead / Culinary Lead

Location: Dallas Fort Worth, TX

Company: Low Country Quisine

Position Type: Full-Time

This is NOT a line cook position.

We are looking for a Kitchen Operations Lead who can run production, not just execute it.

Low Country Quisine is a high-level catering and hospitality company known for delivering elevated, high-volume experiences. We are growing, and we need a leader who can keep our kitchen ahead, organized, and executing at a high level consistently.

What You ll Be Responsible For

This role is about control, planning, and leadership.

You will:

- Build daily and weekly prep plans with quantities, assignments, and timelines

- Keep the kitchen 48 72 hours ahead of production

- Assign and balance workload across the team

- Ensure all prep is completed on time and to standard

- Identify issues early and adjust before they become problems

- Lead the kitchen team with clarity and accountability

- Work closely with ownership to execute high-level events

What We re Looking For

You are not just a great cook. You are a strong operator.

You:

- Think in timelines, systems, and structure

- Naturally plan ahead instead of reacting

- Can manage multiple moving parts without getting overwhelmed

- Know how to lead a team and hold standards

- Take ownership and don t wait to be told what to do

- Have experience in high-volume catering, events, or fast-paced kitchens

- Lead by example and are comfortable being hands-on in the kitchen when needed

Culinary Competency

This role requires strong hands-on culinary ability in addition to leadership.

You must be able to:

- Execute high-quality food consistently across multiple menu items

- Cook and produce at scale for large events and high-volume production

- Train and guide team members on proper technique, consistency, and presentation

- Step into production when needed and maintain standards under pressure

- Ensure all food leaving the kitchen meets Low Country Quisine s quality expectations

Hands-On Leadership Expectation

This is a leadership role, but it is not an office-only position.

The right candidate knows how to delegate and lead a team effectively, while also stepping in and being hands-on when needed to ensure food is executed properly and on time.

You should be comfortable:

- Leading from the front, not from the sidelines

- Jumping into production during high-volume or critical moments

- Holding standards while working alongside the team

- Balancing leadership responsibilities with hands-on execution

If you are looking for a role where you are primarily managing from a distance, this is not the position.

Required Skills & Qualifications

- 3+ years experience in a leadership role (Sous Chef, Kitchen Manager, or similar)

- Strong written and verbal communication skills

- Ability to communicate clearly with a diverse kitchen team and provide direction in a fast-paced environment

- Comfortable using basic computer systems (email, scheduling, spreadsheets, or catering software)

- Ability to create and manage prep lists digitally or in written format

- Fluent in English; Spanish language skills are a strong plus due to the composition of our team

- Strong organizational and time management skills

- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment

This Role is NOT for You If

- You figure it out as you go

- You rely on memory instead of writing things down

- You struggle with planning or staying ahead

- You need constant direction to stay on track

What Success Looks Like

- The kitchen is organized, not chaotic

- Prep is done early, not last-minute

- The team is clear on what they re doing at all times

- Events execute smoothly because the groundwork was handled in advance

Compensation

- $60,000 $75,000 salary, based on experience

- Performance-based bonus tied to execution and kitchen performance

- Growth opportunity within a rapidly expanding company

- Opportunity to be part of major upcoming events, including large-scale hospitality experiences

Hiring Process (Fast-Moving)

- Initial phone screen

- In-person interview

- Paid working interview

Final Note

We are building something special, and this role is critical to our growth.

If you are someone who thrives in structure, leadership, and high-level execution, we want to meet you.