Culinary Lead 

Department: Food & Beverage

Reports To: Director, Food & Beverage

Status: Seasonal; Part-Time, Non-Exempt 

 Be a Part of Something Bigger Than a Job 

At Forest Theater, we’re not simply restoring a historic landmark. We’re helping shape the future of South Dallas. As a key initiative of Forest Forward, the reimagined Forest Theater will serve as a hub for arts, education, culture, and economic opportunity. Every role on our team contributes to a larger mission: creating pathways for individuals, families, and communities to thrive. 

As a Culinary Lead, you will play a key role in creating exceptional hospitality experiences for guests attending performances, private events, community gatherings, and special programs. Through your leadership, culinary expertise, and commitment to quality, you’ll help deliver memorable experiences that bring people together while supporting a venue dedicated to culture, community, and opportunity. 

Position Summary 

The Culinary Lead supports the day-to-day kitchen operations at Forest Theater, ensuring the successful preparation, production, and execution of food service for performances, private events, catering functions, and community programs. This role provides leadership to culinary team members, helps coordinate food production and event execution, and ensures that quality, safety, and service standards are consistently achieved. 

Working closely with the Executive Chef and Food & Beverage leadership team, the Culinary Lead assists with inventory management, menu execution, banquet event orders (BEOs), staff supervision, training, and operational readiness. This position is ideal for a hands-on leader who thrives in a fast-paced environment, enjoys mentoring others, and is passionate about hospitality, culinary excellence, and community impact. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities 

Culinary Production & Food Quality 

• Support daily culinary operations for performances, private events, special events, and hospitality programs. 
• Prepare and oversee the production of menu items while ensuring consistency, presentation, and quality standards are met. [Culinary Lead JD | Word] 
• Ensure food production is completed efficiently and in accordance with recipes, production schedules, and service timelines. 
• Assist with menu development, special dietary accommodations, and event-specific food preparation needs. 
• Maintain knowledge of all event menus, BEOs, specialty orders, and guest dietary requirements. 

Event Operations & Team Leadership 

• Serve as an onsite culinary supervisor during food service and event execution. 
• Coordinate food production, kitchen operations, and BEO execution to support successful events. 
• Lead and support kitchen staff assigned to food production, pantry, and service areas. 
• Assist with onboarding, training, and mentoring culinary team members to promote success and professional growth. 
• Support problem-solving and operational adjustments during service to ensure an exceptional guest experience. 

Inventory, Organization & Kitchen Operations 

• Assist with inventory management, receiving, storing, and organizing food and kitchen supplies. 
• Ensure proper labeling, dating, storage, rotation, and organization of all food products. 
• Monitor compliance with food safety standards, temperature controls, sanitation requirements, and proper storage procedures. 
• Support kitchen opening and closing procedures and ensure all work areas are maintained according to established standards. 
• Assist with payroll, inventory documentation, and post-event operational tasks as assigned. 

Food Safety & Compliance 

• Ensure compliance with all food safety, sanitation, health department, and workplace safety requirements. 
• Monitor proper food temperatures, handling procedures, FIFO practices, and safe storage standards. 
• Foster a culture of cleanliness, safety, accountability, and operational excellence throughout the kitchen. 

Contribute to Our Mission and Culture 

• Serve as an ambassador for Forest Theater through professionalism, hospitality, and teamwork. 
• Support a culture rooted in innovation, accountability, community partnership, equity, and respect. 
• Help create memorable experiences that connect guests to arts, culture, and community. 
• Contribute to Forest Theater’s mission of preserving culture, expanding opportunity, and strengthening South Dallas. 
• Perform other duties as assigned in support of culinary operations and organizational goals. 

Qualifications 

Education and Experience 

• High school diploma or equivalent preferred. 
• Two or more years of experience in a lead culinary, kitchen supervisory, catering, hospitality, or high-volume food service role. 
• Experience supporting large-scale events, catering operations, banquet service, or entertainment venues preferred. 
• ServSafe certification preferred or the ability to obtain certification upon hire. 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 

• Passion for hospitality and delivering exceptional guest experiences. 
• Commitment to the mission and values of Forest Theater and Forest Forward. 
• Strong culinary knowledge with the ability to produce high-quality food consistently and efficiently. 
• Knowledge of food safety regulations, temperature controls, food storage practices, and sanitation standards. 
• Proven leadership skills with the ability to motivate, train, and support team members. 
• Excellent organizational, communication, and time-management skills. 
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and adapt quickly in a fast-paced environment. 
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to operational excellence. 
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with culinary, events, and operations teams. 
• Ability to problem-solve proactively and respond effectively during service periods. 

Work Environment and Physical Requirements 

Forest Theater is a dynamic live entertainment and community venue. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position. 

This role regularly requires: 

• Working in commercial kitchens and food production environments. 
• Operating kitchen equipment including knives, ovens, mixers, slicers, grills, and other culinary tools. 
• Frequent standing, walking, bending, lifting, reaching, and carrying food products and equipment. 
• Moving between kitchens, event spaces, storage areas, coolers, and freezers throughout the workday. 
• Supervising culinary operations during event service and high-volume production periods. 
  Maintaining food safety, sanitation, and operational standards at all times. 
• Lifting and carrying up to 40 pounds. 
• Working evenings, weekends, holidays, and special events based on event and production schedules. 

Why Forest Theater? 

At Forest Theater, your work supports more than food and beverage service. Every event, performance, and gathering creates opportunities to bring people together, celebrate culture, and strengthen community. You’ll join a team committed to preserving the rich legacy of South Dallas while helping build a vibrant future through arts, education, economic opportunity, and community connection. 

Build Community. Preserve Culture. Create Opportunity. Join Forest Theater and help shape a thriving future for South Dallas. 

Equal Opportunity Employer 

Forest Forward is committed to creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace where all individuals are treated with dignity and respect. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and make employment decisions based on qualifications, merit, and business needs. We prohibit discrimination, harassment, and retaliation and provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and sincerely held religious beliefs, in accordance with applicable law.