Kitchen Lead

Kitchen Lead

Infuse Hospitality is a Chicago-based hospitality management company that creates and operates unique food and beverage experiences across cafes, restaurants, food halls, and amenity spaces. We partner with property owners, developers, and brands to deliver elevated hospitality rooted in great food, great people, and exceptional service.

We offer end-to-end hospitality solutions, including: 

• Concept development and branding 

• Culinary innovation and menu creation 

• Staffing, operations, and training 

• Marketing and guest engagement 

• Private and corporate catering programs 

• Amenity management for office, residential, and cultural spaces 

We are seeking a skilled and dependable  Kitchen Lead to join the River Roux team in Chicago. This role is handson in the kitchen and plays a key part in guiding daily kitchen operations. Kitchen Lead supports the culinary team by cooking on the line, organizing workflow, creating prep lists, and assisting with food ordering to ensure highquality execution and smooth service.

This role helps provide direction and daily coordination in the kitchen but  does not carry formal disciplinary responsibilities . All employee relations matters will continue to be handled by the General Manager.

Key Responsibilities

1. Cook and execute menu items on the line during service with consistency, speed, and attention to detail.
2. Organize and oversee daily kitchen workflow to maintain an efficient and collaborative back-of-house operation.
3. Create, update, and communicate prep lists to ensure the team is prepared for upcoming shifts and service needs.
4. Assist in placing and managing food orders, monitoring inventory, and minimizing waste.
5. Ensure all dishes meet standards for taste, temperature, quality, and presentation.
6. Maintain a clean, organized, and sanitary kitchen environment in compliance with food safety standards.
7. Properly store, label, and rotate food to ensure freshness and safety.
8. Operate and maintain kitchen equipment safely and effectively.
9. Support a positive kitchen culture through teamwork, communication, and professionalism.

Requirements

1. Experience working in a fastpaced kitchen; line cook or lead cook experience strongly preferred.
2. Ability to multitask and prioritize during peak service times.
3. Strong organizational skills and comfort creating prep lists and guiding team workflow.
4. Familiarity with placing food orders and managing inventory.
5. Ability to follow recipes, maintain consistency, and uphold menu standards.
6. Professional communication skills and a teamfirst mindset.
7. Willingness to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed.
8. Knowledge of cooking methods, knife skills, and food safety best practices.
9. ServSafe certification preferred (Food Handler or Manager).

Physical Requirements

1. Ability to lift up to 40 lbs.
2. Frequent walking, standing, bending, and reaching throughout the shift.