Lead Cook / Culinary Lead

Derby Dinner Playhouse – Clarksville, IN

Pay: $15-$17/hour

Full-Time | Benefits | Evening & Weekend Availability Required

Lead Cook • Culinary Lead • Kitchen Lead • Banquet Cook

Are you an experienced cook ready to take the next step in your culinary career without becoming a full-time manager?

Derby Dinner Playhouse is seeking a Lead Cook / Culinary Lead to help maintain exceptional food quality in one of Southern Indiana’s busiest dinner theatres. This position is perfect for someone who enjoys cooking, mentoring others, and leading by example in a fast-paced, high-volume kitchen.

Unlike a traditional Sous Chef position, this role focuses on food quality, recipe execution, and training rather than scheduling, ordering, or employee management.

You’ll work closely with the Executive Chef and Assistant Kitchen Manager to ensure every guest receives a consistent, high-quality dining experience.

What You’ll Do

• Lead food production during shifts when the Executive Chef is not on-site.
• Prepare high-quality buffet-style meals for large guest counts.
• Train and mentor new kitchen employees on recipes, preparation techniques, and kitchen procedures.
• Ensure recipes are followed consistently to maintain quality and portion control.
• Monitor food presentation, temperature, and overall quality before service.
• Assist with prep, cooking, carving, buffet production, and plating.
• Help identify opportunities to improve kitchen efficiency and food consistency.
• Maintain high standards of cleanliness, food safety, and sanitation.
• Work collaboratively with the Assistant Kitchen Manager to ensure smooth kitchen operations.
• Serve as a positive role model by demonstrating professionalism, teamwork, and a strong work ethic.

We’re Looking For Someone Who Has

• 3+ years of professional cooking experience.
• Experience in banquet, buffet, catering, hotel, casino, institutional, or high-volume restaurant kitchens preferred.
• Strong knowledge of food preparation techniques and cooking methods.
• Experience training or mentoring other cooks is highly preferred.
• Excellent organizational and communication skills.
• Ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment.
• Commitment to producing consistent, high-quality food.
• Knowledge of food safety and sanitation standards.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds and stand for extended periods.

Why You’ll Love Working Here

• Health insurance
• 401(k)
• Paid vacation
• Employee meals during shifts
• Stable, year-round employment
• Professional, team-oriented work environment
• Opportunities to grow your culinary skills
• Be part of creating unforgettable experiences for over 200,000 guests each year through great food and live theatre

About Derby Dinner Playhouse

Derby Dinner Playhouse has entertained audiences for over 50 years and is one of America’s largest and longest-running professional dinner theatres. Located in Clarksville, Indiana, we combine Broadway-quality performances with outstanding dining, welcoming hundreds of guests to each performance.

If you’re passionate about cooking, enjoy mentoring others, and take pride in delivering consistently excellent food, we’d love to hear from you.

Apply today and help us create memorable dining experiences for every guest.

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