Lead cook

There’s never been a better time to join TravelCenters of America! For more than 50 years, millions of professional truck drivers and motorists have called our travel centers home, depending on us daily for fuel, food, truck maintenance and essential services.

Driven by a passionate team, TA is focused on growing its network of travel centers, implementing cutting edge technology and embarking on innovative alternative energy and sustainability initiatives.

From our locations across the country, to our corporate headquarters in Westlake, Ohio, every team member is a stakeholder in TA’s success.

This environment offers endless career opportunities for individuals interested in sharing their ideas, growing with the company and shaping TA’s future.

Job Summary

TravelCenters of America offers a convenient, one-stop shopping experience to our customers. Each location has a plethora of dining options which gives our guests the variety they look for.

The Kitchen Lead is a key member of the restaurant team responsible for preparing and presenting quality food to guests, supervising all back of house (BOH) positions, and training to team members on the various methods of cooking, preparation, etc.

This individual provides excellent customer service to our guests so that we are returning every traveler to the road better than they came!

In this role, you can expect to :

• Work in a fun, trusting environment focused on great customer service
• Supervise and train kitchen staff ., Cook, Prep Cook, Dishwasher, etc. Coach positions on food safety, policies, procedures and standards
• Stay current on all food safety mandates and requirements and ensure they are properly executed
• Be accountable for the production of food according to recipes, portion controls, and plate representations
• Demonstrate ability to count and update all BOH prep pull sheets
• Create and maintain food and supply inventory and production documents
• Maintain equipment per operating standard
• Practice safe food handling and storage as well as waste control procedures; Know and follow safety guidelines and report potentially unsafe situations caused by team members and customers
• Prioritize your work according to the kitchen and guest needs
• Build strong communication and rapport with leaders and co-workers
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned

What we’d like to see :

• A dedicated individual who works well with others and is excited to be part of our team!
• Previous food service experience
• Good verbal communication skills
• Ability to work flexible hours including nights, weekends and some holidays

With us, you’ll enjoy :

• Medical, dental, vision and life insurance
• 401(k) with a company match
• Vacation and paid holidays
• Tuition reimbursement
• On-site meal discounts
• A wide variety of discounts on technology, travel, food and fuel
• Opportunity for growth and advancement

Not all benefit plans are available to all team members. For a more comprehensive list of benefits, please visit

Pay Range

$16.00 - 18.00 per hour

A pay range listed reflects the potential pay for this role. The pay will depend on various factors, such as responsibilities of the position, job duties / requirements, and relevant experience and skills.

Not all positions posted will have a pay range listed.

Our travel centers serve thousands every day; not one traveler is the same and our team must reflect that. We can "return every traveler to the road better than they came" only by understanding and celebrating individualism.

TravelCenters of America is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless race, color, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, age, marital status, familial status, ancestry, sex, gender, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, mental or physical disability, handicap, military service or Veteran status, genetic information or membership in any other category protected by applicable federal, state or local law.

At TravelCenters of America, we invite everyone to make themselves at home.

Individuals with a disability mayrequest a reasonable accommodation related to our recruiting process. If youwould like to request an accommodation related to the recruitment process,please email us at In your email, please include yourfirst and last name, phone number, the position and location for which you areapplying, and details pertaining to the accommodation request.

Typical Physical Demands

In this role, the team member is regularly required to talk and hear. Standing, walking, kneeling, stooping, bending over, crouching, crawling, climbing, and repetitive use of legs are done occasionally.

The team member is occasionally required to lift up to 50 lbs and / or move heavy objects. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

All performed with or without a reasonable accommodation.

Work Environment

While performing these duties of this job, the employee may be exposed to outdoor elements in all seasons. Occasionally, the employee will also be exposed to fumes and particles, moving mechanical parts and vibration.

The noise level in the work environment can be loud at times. While performing these duties, the employee may be exposed to dirt, dust, grime, grease, oil, gas, high-concentrated cleaning solutions, etc.

Disclaimer

TA Operating LLC reserves the right to revise the job description at any time. This job description is not a contract for employment, and either the incumbent or TA Operating LLC may terminate employment at any time, for any reason.

Last updated : 2024-06-11

Salary : $16