Lead Cook - INTERNAL TEAM MEMBERS ONLY

Lead Cook - INTERNAL CANDIDATES ONLY 

The Chesapeake, a LifeSpire of Virginia Community | Newport News, VA
Reports To: Executive Chef
Position Type: Hourly, Non-Exempt
Schedule: Up to 40 hours per week; variable shifts, including weekends

Internal Candidate Notice: This position is being posted externally to provide visibility to our current team members. At this time, only current LifeSpire of Virginia team members will be considered for this opportunity.

Join Our Dining Services Team

The Chesapeake, a LifeSpire of Virginia Community, is seeking a Lead Cook to support our dining services team and help provide high-quality, nutritious meals and exceptional service to our residents.

The Lead Cook is a hands-on leadership role within the kitchen, working closely with the Executive Chef, Kitchen Manager, and Kitchen Supervisor to ensure daily kitchen operations run smoothly and established standards for food safety, sanitation, quality, and resident satisfaction are consistently met.

If you are an experienced food service professional who takes pride in your work, enjoys supporting and training others, and thrives in a team-oriented environment, we invite you to consider this opportunity.

About the Position

Under the direction of the Executive Chef—or, in their absence, the Kitchen Manager or Kitchen Supervisor—the Lead Cook performs a variety of food preparation, cooking, kitchen operations, and leadership duties.

This is a working position that requires the Lead Cook to actively participate in meal service while also helping ensure kitchen procedures, safety standards, and daily responsibilities are carried out effectively.

The department operates seven days a week. Team members must be available to work assigned shifts, including weekends and holidays as operational needs require. The position is scheduled for up to 40 hours per week.

What You'll Do

• Lead by example while actively participating in daily meal preparation and service.


• Follow established closing procedures to ensure the Main Kitchen, Healthcare Kitchen, and Assisted Living (Pier 57) kitchens are properly closed and secured.


• Ensure all required temperature logs are completed accurately and remain up to date.


• Monitor completion of daily kitchen cleaning lists by all cooks.


• Ensure food is properly stored, labeled, prepared, and cooked in accordance with HACCP and food safety standards.


• Check out closing team members as required.


• Assist the Executive Chef with planning and executing catering events.


• Work collaboratively with the Kitchen Manager and Kitchen Supervisor to ensure all kitchens are properly locked and secured each night.


• Assist with training new team members in the dining services program.


• Support consistent adherence to LifeSpire of Virginia standards, policies, and procedures.


• Work assigned meal services and shifts as scheduled by the Executive Chef.


• Help foster a positive, respectful, and team-oriented kitchen environment.


• Perform other duties as assigned by the Executive Chef or Kitchen Manager.

What You'll Bring

• A minimum of five years of experience in quantity food production and/or institutional food service.


• Formal or on-the-job training in food storage, preparation, cooking, and estimating food quantities needed for service.


• Ability to plan and coordinate food preparation to ensure nutritious meals are served on time while maintaining appropriate flavor, appearance, and temperature.


• Knowledge of food sanitation, safe food-handling practices, and proper use of kitchen equipment.


• Appropriate certification or training in food sanitation and safe food-handling practices.


• Ability to read, write, and communicate effectively in English.


• Ability to understand and follow written and verbal instructions.


• Demonstrated sensitivity to diverse perspectives and comfort working in a multicultural environment.


• Initiative, dependability, attention to detail, adaptability, and a results-oriented approach.


• Ability to exercise sound judgment, discretion, and confidentiality.


• Successful completion of a criminal history background check is required.

Why This Role Matters

At The Chesapeake, dining is about more than preparing a meal. Our dining services team plays an important role in creating enjoyable experiences and supporting the daily well-being of our residents.

As a Lead Cook, you'll have the opportunity to use your culinary experience while helping your fellow team members succeed and ensuring our residents receive meals that are prepared safely, thoughtfully, and with care.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

If you're a current LifeSpire of Virginia team member looking for an opportunity to grow your skills, take on additional responsibility, and make a meaningful contribution to our dining services team, we encourage you to apply.