Lead Line Cook - Dean's Steakhouse

Who We Are

White Lodging develops and operates a portfolio of award-winning premium hotels, rooftop bars, and restaurants in some of the country's most dynamic cities. We know that the hospitality business, like life, is about how you make people feel. That's where you come in. You'll help bring the virtue of hospitality to life while we create an environment that allows you to be your best self and grow.

Dean's is the signature Italian steakhouse at the JW Marriott Charlotte — one of Charlotte, North Carolina's premier luxury hotel properties in the heart of uptown. Dean's delivers a bold, chef-driven dining experience that marries the warmth of Italian cuisine with the indulgence of a classic steakhouse — crafted for hotel guests and Charlotte locals who appreciate exceptional food, refined service, and a memorable night out. As part of the JW Marriott Charlotte culinary team, you'll work in a polished, high-volume hotel restaurant kitchen where Italian steakhouse technique, food quality, and professional kitchen standards define every shift.

White Lodging is hiring a Lead Line Cook to join the culinary team at Dean's inside the JW Marriott Charlotte. This is a kitchen leadership role designed for an experienced line cook who is ready to take the next step toward becoming a Sous Chef. You'll step into a Sous Chef-in-training role — leading daily back-of-house operations, mentoring junior kitchen staff, and keeping production running smoothly in one of Charlotte's most prominent upscale hotel kitchens. Enjoy advanced scheduling and the flexibility to swap or pick up shifts with our app — making it easier to find the work-life balance that works for you as you build your culinary management career. If you're a senior line cook, lead cook, or chef de partie with Italian cuisine or steakhouse experience looking for lead cook jobs in Charlotte, NC, or hotel kitchen leadership roles at a JW Marriott property, this is your next move with one of the country's top hospitality companies.

What You'll Do

• Serve as a Sous Chef in training at Dean's inside the JW Marriott Charlotte — stepping into full kitchen management responsibilities and overseeing all BOH operations in the Sous Chef's absence
• Mentor and collaborate with Entry Level Cooks, Line Cooks, culinary apprentices, and stewards while managing daily food preparation and production to the standards of a JW Marriott luxury hotel restaurant
• Follow all White Lodging F&B procedures, health department regulations, and federal food safety guidelines across every shift in this upscale Charlotte hotel kitchen
• Assist in maintaining food cost and labor cost standards — contributing to the financial performance and operational efficiency of the Dean's culinary team
• Check ingredient freshness; enforce all recipe standards and portion-use records consistently across the kitchen team
• Monitor guest feedback scores and proactively influence food quality, consistency, and presentation to drive positive rankings for Dean's and the JW Marriott Charlotte
• Foster a culture of cooperation, respect, and professional kitchen standards among all culinary coworkers at this high-volume upscale hotel property
• Perform other duties as assigned

What You'll Bring

• Solid working knowledge of all commercial kitchen equipment and culinary preparation techniques in a high-volume hotel or upscale restaurant environment
• Demonstrated proficiency in sautéing, broiling, frying, roasting, butchery, garde manger, pantry, and breakfast cookery — Southern cuisine or chef-driven restaurant experience a plus for this role at Dean's
• Experience leading or mentoring kitchen staff — prior lead cook, senior line cook, or chef de partie experience strongly preferred
• Culinary degree, culinary school training, or apprenticeship preferred — not required; we will train the right candidate
• Ability to stand and move at a fast pace for extended periods in a high-volume upscale hotel kitchen environment

What You Can Look Forward To

• Advanced scheduling with easy shift swapping via our app
• DailyPay — get paid when you need it
• Unlimited employee referral bonuses
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid time off (PTO) with rollover
• Complimentary wellness tools
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Leadership development & tuition reimbursement
• Discounts on hotel rooms, dining, and travel
• Growth opportunities across multiple hotel properties in your market
• Full-time associates also receive:
  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance — starting day 1
  • Life and disability insurance
  • Paid parental leave