Post Job

What is a lead cook and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
introduction image

A lead cook is an essential member of the kitchen staff. Working under the supervision of a Head Chef, lead cooks prepare simple dishes such as soups, salads, sauces, and entrees. Just like any other kitchen staff, the lead cook also contributes to keeping a clean working area and adheres to the kitchen's safety regulations.

Cleaning and preparing ingredients, plating and garnishing meals is also the privilege of the lead cook, as well as supervising the work of line cooks who are below them in the kitchen hierarchy. Keeping cooking stations stocked with ingredients and clean equipment is also the lead cook's task.

This is a full-time job with long hours that desperately needs your passion in order to keep at it for long. Working over the weekends and nights will be a regular thing, and the job is high-paced and stressful. If you are in love with food; however, and wish to dedicate your life to preparing it, this is an excellent position to learn all the secrets you need.

ScoreLead CookUS Average
Salary
2.8

Avg. Salary $35,964

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level
6.2

Growth Rate 16%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity
8.4
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 1.11%

Asian 9.45%

Black or African American 9.34%

Hispanic or Latino 18.32%

Unknown 4.68%

White 57.10%

Gender

female 27.42%

male 72.58%

Age - 37
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 37
Stress Level
6.2

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity Level
4.3

Complexity Level is basic

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance
7.4

Work Life balance is good

6.4 - fair

Lead Cook career paths

Key steps to become a lead cook

  1. Explore lead cook education requirements

    Most common lead cook degrees

    Associate

    34.5 %

    High School Diploma

    32.5 %

    Bachelor's

    17.4 %
  2. Start to develop specific lead cook skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Customer Service13.87%
    Food Handling13.54%
    Culinary11.05%
    Food Service10.61%
    Kitchen Equipment6.99%
  3. Complete relevant lead cook training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New lead cooks learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a lead cook based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real lead cook resumes.
  4. Gain additional lead cook certifications

    Lead cook certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific lead cook certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

    The most common certifications for lead cooks include Certified Food Manager (CFM) and ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certification.

    More About Certifications
  5. Research lead cook duties and responsibilities

    • Manage food expo; facilitate food temp logs; creation of menu specials; management and supervision of production staff
    • Manage inventory and purchasing of groceries.
    • Operate standard cooking equipment including slicers, food choppers, fryers, refrigerators, ovens and stoves.
    • Operate ovens, stoves, grills, microwaves, turbo chefs, and fryers.
  6. Get lead cook experience

    Generally, it takes 2-4 years to become a lead cook. The most common roles before becoming a lead cook include cook, line cook team lead and sous chef.
  7. Prepare your lead cook resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your lead cook resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a lead cook resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose From 10+ Customizable Lead Cook Resume templates

    Build a professional Lead Cook resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Lead Cook resume.
    Lead Cook Resume
    Lead Cook Resume
    Lead Cook Resume
    Lead Cook Resume
    Lead Cook Resume
    Lead Cook Resume
    Lead Cook Resume
    Lead Cook Resume
    Lead Cook Resume
    Lead Cook Resume
    Lead Cook Resume
    Lead Cook Resume
    Lead Cook Resume
    Lead Cook Resume
    Lead Cook Resume
    Lead Cook Resume
  8. Apply for lead cook jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a lead cook job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How Did You Land Your First Lead Cook Job

Zippi

Are you a Lead Cook?

Share your story for a free salary report.

Average lead cook salary

The average Lead Cook salary in the United States is $35,964 per year or $17 per hour. Lead cook salaries range between $27,000 and $46,000 per year.

Average Lead Cook Salary
$35,964 Yearly
$17.29 hourly

What Am I Worth?

salary-calculator

How do lead cooks rate their job?

-/5

5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

Lead Cook reviews

profile
A zippia user wrote a review on May 2020
Cons

Nothing to complain about love being a chef


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Jan 2020
Pros

I love to cook make arts everyday from cooking most especially making salads

Cons

I don’t like to be underestimated in my field, I don’t like to be looked down on in my field


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Mar 2019
Cons

Lazy workers who do not care about the products that they are working with and their teammates


Working as a Lead Cook? Share your experience anonymously.
Overall Rating*
Career Growth
Work/Life balance
Pay/Salary

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Browse food preparation and restaurant jobs