Cass Winery Tasting Room & Cafe

Lead Line Cook — Winery Café

Position overview

We are hiring a Lead Line Cook for a busy winery café. This role combines high-volume production and hands-on cooking with inventory management, order intake/processing, prep planning, and team leadership. The Lead Line Cook ensures consistent food quality, efficient service, accurate costing, and a safe, organized kitchen.

Key responsibilities

Oversee daily line operations during assigned shifts; prepare and plate menu items to quality and presentation standards.
Lead and coordinate the line team: assign stations, train cooks, manage shift workflow, and maintain morale and professionalism.
Manage food inventory: forecast needs, perform weekly cycle counts, receive and inspect deliveries, rotate stock (FIFO), and minimize waste/spoilage.
Process order intake: manage ticket flow during service, prioritize orders, communicate timing with front-of-house, and ensure timely fulfillment of dine-in, to-go, and special-event orders.
Prep management: create and execute prep schedules, prepare mise en place, portion control, label and store prepped items, and ensure line readiness for service.
Cost control: monitor food costs, suggest menu/portion adjustments, track wastage, and contribute to purchasing decisions.
Maintain sanitation and safety: enforce HACCP/health code standards, perform cleaning checklists, and mentor staff on safe practices.
Menu assistance: collaborate with chef/manager on specials, ingredient sourcing, and recipe standardization.
Recordkeeping and reporting: maintain inventory records, submit daily/weekly logs (waste, temperature, prep lists), and assist with invoice reconciliation.
Support catering/private events as needed; flexible to weekend and evening shifts.

Qualifications

3+ years of professional cooking experience with at least 1 year in a lead/supervisory role in a high-volume environment (cafés, bistros, wineries, or similar preferred).
Strong knowledge of inventory systems, purchasing, and portion control.
Food safety certification (ServSafe or equivalent) required.
Proven ability to manage order flow and work efficiently under pressure.
Basic math skills for costing and inventory reconciliation.
Excellent communication and team leadership skills.
Ability to lift 50 lbs, stand for long periods, and work flexible hours including weekends and holidays.

Desired skills

Experience with POS and inventory management software.
Familiarity with seasonal/local sourcing and wine-country service pace.
Ability to write clear prep lists and train staff to standard recipes.

Work schedule & environment

Full-time; rotating shifts covering lunch/service hours; frequent weekend and holiday availability required.
Fast-paced café within a winery setting; occasional outdoor/event support.
Position normally operates 9-5 or some close variance thereof.

Compensation

Competitive hourly wage or salary depending on experience. $21-$25 p/hr
Benefits may include staff meals, discounted wine, paid time off, and opportunities for growth into kitchen management.
Health benefits, 401k & Employer Match avail.
Tip share program in place and will enhance hourly take-home.

To apply

Submit resume and brief cover letter highlighting supervisory experience, inventory management, and familiarity with high-volume café operations. Include availability and preferred start date.

Pay: $21.00 - $25.00 per hour

Benefits:

401(k)
401(k) matching
Dental insurance
Employee discount
Health insurance
Paid time off

Work Location: In person

CASS Winery

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Winery Cafe Lead Line Cook