Lead Cook (Part-Time) Mama Taco River Forest, IL Job Details Part-time | Contract $19 - $22 an hour 7 hours ago Benefits Employee discount Flexible schedule Referral program Qualifications Shift management Assembly Production planning Kitchen grills Food Handler Certification Full Job Description About Mama Taco Mama Taco is a brand new, women-led breakfast taco business based in Oak Park/River Forest. We make simple, high quality grab and go breakfast tacos across three channels: wholesale to cafes and partners, retail direct to customers at events, and our Cold Stash bundles, fresh, refrigerated tacos customers can eat right away or freeze for later. We're just getting started, so everyone who joins now helps shape how this company runs. We care a lot about keeping the kitchen a fun, positive place to work. And as we think about scaling our production, we want to build towards corporate events and catering next. The Role As our Lead Cook, you'll run production shifts in our kitchen, sometimes with a small team and sometimes on your own, making sure every taco meets our recipe, quality, and food safety standards. You'll start with hands-on training in our recipes, food safety practices, and kitchen routines, and once you're comfortable, you'll run production shifts independently. Because we're early-stage, you'll also help shape how the kitchen runs, including the recipes, checklists, and routines that will help us grow into catering. This is a part-time role to start, with room to grow as we do. What You'll Do Plan and run production shifts so orders are ready on time for wholesale, events, and Cold Stash Prep, cook, assemble, package, and label tacos to recipe and quality standards Keep food safety front and center: temp checks, labeling, sanitation, and production logs Open or close the kitchen and keep it clean, organized, and stocked Flag low inventory so we can plan ordering Help improve our recipes, prep lists, and kitchen checklists Help train new team members as we grow Show up occasionally on camera for casual behind-the-scenes clips What We're Looking For 2-4 years of kitchen experience, ideally line or production work Some experience leading a shift, or ready to step into that role Comfortable running a shift on your own after training Food Handler Certificate required; CFPM a plus (we'll support you in getting it) Organized, reliable, and good at keeping us in the loop Positive energy and open to change as we figure things out together Available for early mornings (around 5:30am), some daytime shifts, and/or some evenings (around 7-8pm) Comfortable being filmed for social content now and then Excited about food, small business, and supporting a women-led company Able to stand for long periods and lift up to 50 lbs Why Join Us This is a chance to get in early with a small, ambitious team and grow alongside us. If you're excited about learning the real, hands-on side of running a food business, and you want to be somewhere that takes the work seriously but doesn't take itself too seriously, we'd love to hear from you.

Pay:

$19.00 - $22.00 per hour

Benefits:

Employee discount Flexible schedule Referral program Application Question(s): Have you ever led a shift, trained others, or been in charge when a chef or manager was out? Do you have reliable transportation to Oak Park/River Forest for early-morning or late night shifts? Are you able to work early mornings (starting at 5am)? Are you able to work evenings (starting at 7:30pm)? Are you able to work during the week (Monday - Friday)? Are you able to work on the weekends (Saturday - Sunday)? Are you currently employed at another job? Can you read and write in English?

Experience:

professional kitchen: 2 years (Required)

License/Certification:

Food Handler Certification (Preferred)

Work Location:

In person