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Lead Cook Jobs in Raleigh, NC (NOW HIRING)

CSC Generation

Culinary Lead (Sur La Table)

Raleigh, NC · On-site

$16.75 - $21.50/hr

With over 58 stores and the largest avocational cooking program in the US, Sur La Table offers an ... Position Overview As a Culinary Lead at Sur La Table, you play a key role in the success of the ...

CSC Generation

Culinary Lead (Sur La Table)

Raleigh, NC · On-site

$16.75 - $21.50/hr

With over 58 stores and the largest avocational cooking program in the US, Sur La Table offers an ... Position Overview As a Culinary Lead at Sur La Table, you play a key role in the success of the ...

Raising Cane's

Cook

Raleigh, NC · On-site

$15.50/hr

Starting out in the back of the house at Raising Cane's can lead to many promotional opportunities for Cooks to grow their career by moving into advanced roles like Bird Specialist or Certified ...

Raising Cane's

Cook

Raleigh, NC

$15.50/hr

Starting out in the back of the house at Raising Cane's can lead to many promotional opportunities for Cooks to grow their career by moving into advanced roles like Bird Specialist or Certified ...

Raising Cane's

Cook

Raleigh, NC · On-site

$15.50/hr

Starting out in the back of the house at Raising Cane's can lead to many promotional opportunities for Cooks to grow their career by moving into advanced roles like Bird Specialist or Certified ...

CSC Generation

Culinary Lead, FT (Sur La Table)

Raleigh, NC · On-site

$16.75 - $21.50/hr

With over 58 stores and the largest avocational cooking program in the US, Sur La Table offers an ... Position Overview As a Culinary Lead, FT at Sur La Table, you play a key role in the success of the ...

CSC Generation

Culinary Lead, FT (Sur La Table)

Raleigh, NC · On-site

$16.75 - $21.50/hr

With over 58 stores and the largest avocational cooking program in the US, Sur La Table offers an ... Position Overview As a Culinary Lead, FT at Sur La Table, you play a key role in the success of the ...

Drive Shack

BOH Team Lead

Raleigh, NC

$18 - $21/hr

A BOH Lead should be well informed about culinary positions, recipe standards, and hospitality for ... Demonstrate skills for preparation, cooking, and serving safe and inspiring culinary items.

Raising Cane's

Cook - Closing Shift

Chapel Hill, NC · On-site

$15.50/hr

Starting out in the back of the house at Raising Cane's can lead to many promotional opportunities for Cooks to grow their career by moving into advanced roles like Bird Specialist or Certified ...

Raising Cane's

Cook - Closing Shift

Chapel Hill, NC · On-site

$15.50/hr

Starting out in the back of the house at Raising Cane's can lead to many promotional opportunities for Cooks to grow their career by moving into advanced roles like Bird Specialist or Certified ...

Raising Cane's

Cook - Closing Shift

Chapel Hill, NC

$15.50/hr

Starting out in the back of the house at Raising Cane's can lead to many promotional opportunities for Cooks to grow their career by moving into advanced roles like Bird Specialist or Certified ...

Fred Investments LLC

Be Seen First

Lead Line Cook or Line Cook

Chapel Hill, NC · On-site

$14 - $17/hr

Might as Well Bar & Grill is looking for line cook and a lead line cook. For line cook experience is great but we are always willing to train a motivated candidate. For lead line cook we are looking ...

Fred Investments LLC

Be Seen First

Lead Line Cook or Line Cook

Chapel Hill, NC · On-site

$14 - $17/hr

Might as Well Bar & Grill is looking for line cook and a lead line cook. For line cook experience is great but we are always willing to train a motivated candidate. For lead line cook we are looking ...

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Lead Cook information

See Raleigh, NC salary details

$10

$18

$24

How much do lead cook jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 2, 2026, the average hourly pay for lead cook in Raleigh, NC is $18.68, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.11 and $20.58 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a lead cook?

A lead cook is the head of the kitchen who oversees restaurant operations and the other cooks. As a lead cook, you work closely with restaurant managers, cooks, and front of house staff to coordinate food preparation and ensure the operations of the dining facility are running smoothly. Depending on the work environment, you may create menu dishes, order food supplies and equipment, review food and beverage purchases, and train other cooks. You typically need to gain several years of experience working as a line cook before beginning a career as a lead cook. Educational requirements vary, but professional training through vocational programs, culinary institutes, and degree programs may offer a competitive edge. Additional qualifications include excellent knowledge of cuisine, communication and organizational skills, and the ability to lead and manage others.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a lead cook, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Lead Cook, you need strong culinary skills, experience with food preparation, kitchen management, and often a culinary degree or relevant certification. Familiarity with commercial kitchen equipment, food safety systems, and inventory management software is typically required. Leadership, effective communication, and the ability to work under pressure are essential soft skills in this role. These skills ensure efficient kitchen operations, consistent food quality, and a positive team environment in fast-paced settings.

How does a lead cook typically collaborate with kitchen staff and management to ensure smooth kitchen operations?

A Lead Cook plays a central role in coordinating kitchen activities by communicating clearly with line cooks, prep staff, and servers to ensure that dishes are prepared correctly and timely. They work closely with management to implement menu changes, manage inventory, and uphold food safety standards. Effective collaboration involves training team members, delegating tasks based on skill level, and addressing any issues that arise during service. This teamwork not only keeps the kitchen running efficiently but also fosters a positive work environment.

What is the difference between Lead Cook vs Line Cook?

AspectLead CookLine Cook
CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; culinary certificationsHigh school diploma or equivalent; culinary training often preferred
Work EnvironmentKitchen leadership, supervising staff, managing kitchen operationsPreparing dishes on the line, following recipes, working under supervision
ResponsibilitiesOversees kitchen staff, ensures quality, manages inventoryPrepares specific dishes, maintains station, follows head chef instructions

The main difference between a Lead Cook and a Line Cook is that the Lead Cook has supervisory responsibilities and oversees kitchen operations, while the Line Cook focuses on preparing dishes at their station. Lead Cooks often have more experience and may be responsible for training staff, whereas Line Cooks execute specific tasks within the kitchen. Both roles require culinary skills, but the Lead Cook's role includes leadership and management duties.

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For Lead Cook jobs in Raleigh, NC, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Lead Cook jobs in Raleigh, NC look for?

The top searched job categories for Lead Cook jobs in Raleigh, NC are:

What cities near Raleigh, NC are hiring for Lead Cook jobs?

Cities near Raleigh, NC with the most Lead Cook job openings:

Lead Cook jobs near you
Infographic showing various Lead Cook job openings in Raleigh, NC as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $38,860 per year, or $18.7 per hour.

Kitchen & Service Assistant - Raleigh

Yay Lunch

Raleigh, NC • On-site

$18/hr

Part-time

Re-posted 25 days ago

Job description

The Yay Company (Cardinal Gibbons)
Kitchen & Service Assistant
Role Overview
The Kitchen & Service Assistant keeps the kitchen running and the café stocked. They support the Lead Cook with prep and production, handle labeling and staging for distribution, and are the face of Yay during lunch service and grab-and-go. Depending on the market and school, this role may also include packing food for delivery to spoke schools and running that delivery. This is a hands-on, fast-paced role where anticipation, accuracy, and presence with students are the standard.
Who You Report To
Your Kitchen Manager, with day-to-day direction coming from the Lead Cook during production.
Core Responsibilities
Kitchen Prep Support
  • Handle mise en place for the Lead Cook - washing, chopping, weighing, and portioning ingredients in the order they are needed
  • Keep the Lead Cook's station clear between production runs so they always have a clean surface to work on
  • Anticipate what is needed next and have it ready - the Lead Cook should never have to stop production for something you should have already done

Labeling & Staging for Distribution
  • Label every item leaving the kitchen - item name, date, quantity, and use-by date - the moment it is filled or packed, no exceptions
  • Stage items by school, service time, or route as directed by the Kitchen Manager
  • Record quantities staged on the production sheet and notify the Kitchen Manager when staging is complete so distribution or pickup can begin

Spoke School Packing & Delivery
  • Pack food for delivery to spoke schools per the Kitchen Manager's production and route schedule - correct quantities, correctly labeled, staged in the right order for the route
  • Load and transport food to spoke school locations safely and on time, maintaining temperature standards throughout
  • Confirm delivery with the receiving Lead Cook or school contact and flag any discrepancies immediately to the Kitchen Manager
  • Reliable transportation and a valid driver's license required for roles that include delivery

Lunch Distribution
  • Assemble trays, organize pre-order pickup by classroom or grade, and ensure every student receives the correct order - whether at the hub kitchen or at a spoke school location
  • Flag any discrepancies to the Lead Cook or Kitchen Manager immediately

Grab & Go Café
  • Stock and maintain the grab-and-go fridge and pantry shelves before and during service per the planogram
  • Confirm items are in the correct location, prices are visible, and shelves are faced and full
  • Run checkout accurately and warmly
  • Monitor stock levels throughout service and flag anything running low before it runs out

Cleaning & Kitchen Support
  • Clean as you go - clear the Lead Cook's station, wipe down surfaces, and wash and sanitize equipment between tasks
  • Participate fully in end-of-shift kitchen breakdown - this is a team effort
  • Clock out on BambooHR on location at your actual end time

Day at a Glance
Opening - Set up your prep station, pull ingredients as directed by the Lead Cook, and begin mise en place before production starts.
Production - Execute prep tasks in the order the Lead Cook needs them. Label everything as it is packed or staged. If your role includes delivery, pack and load spoke school orders before your route window.
Service - Distribute pre-order lunches on site and/or at spoke schools, run grab-and-go checkout, and restock shelves. Be present, be warm, be fast.
Closing - Clean your area, rotate remaining stock, wipe down the grab-and-go fridge and shelves, and assist with full kitchen breakdown.
What Success Looks Like
  • The Lead Cook never has to stop production to do something you should have already handled
  • Every item leaving the kitchen is labeled correctly, every time
  • Spoke school deliveries go out on time, at temperature, and with zero packing errors
  • Students receive the right order, on time, with a warm interaction
  • The grab-and-go café is stocked, faced, and running smoothly throughout service
  • Your section of the kitchen is clean and organized from open to close

What We're Looking For
  • Experience in a kitchen, café, or food service environment - you know how to move with urgency and purpose
  • Strong attention to detail - labeling, staging, and portioning accuracy are non-negotiable
  • A people-first mindset - you enjoy interacting with students and take pride in making service feel welcoming
  • Reliable and self-directed - you don't wait to be told what needs doing; you see it and handle it
  • A team player who takes ownership of their station and shows up for the people around them
  • Comfortable on the road if delivery is part of your role - reliable transportation and a valid driver's license required
  • Food handler's certification or willingness to obtain within 30 days of hire

What We Offer
  • Competitive hourly pay
  • A high-growth, mission-driven company where your work directly impacts what kids eat every day
  • A team that values accountability, transparency, and operators who take pride in their craft
  • Real opportunity to grow within TYC as we expand into new markets

The Yay Company • 2026

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