The posting
UNC Catering Lead Event Cook
About Rocky Top Catering at UNC
Rocky Top Catering proudly partners with the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to provide exceptional food and hospitality throughout UNC Athletics and the Blue Zone at Kenan Stadium.
Located inside the iconic Kenan Memorial Stadium, the Blue Zone offers a unique setting for a wide variety of events. Rocky Top Catering serves events throughout spaces including the Concourse Club, Upper Club, Blue Zone Suites, Touchdown Club, and Tar Heel Terraces, ranging from intimate gatherings to large-scale events. The Concourse Club alone can accommodate up to 600 guests.
Our UNC operation goes beyond private events. Rocky Top Catering also provides daily food service for UNC student-athletes and supports football and basketball game-day operations, making this a fast-paced culinary environment where no two days are exactly alike.
Position Summary
Rocky Top Catering is seeking an experienced Lead Event Cook to take ownership of the culinary execution of catered events from preparation through service. This position serves as a lead member of the event kitchen team and is responsible for ensuring food is prepared, transported, and executed according to Rocky Top Catering's standards.
Key Responsibilities
Lead Event Execution
- Take ownership of the culinary side of assigned events from pack-out through completion of service
- Lead the kitchen team on-site and delegate tasks to ensure the menu is executed correctly and on schedule
- Establish and manage the culinary timeline for the event
- Communicate with the FOH Event Manager throughout the event to coordinate timing, service, special requests, and changes
- Conduct a complete menu check with the FOH Event Manager before service
- Ensure all menu items are properly prepared, presented, and ready for service at the appropriate time
- Make real-time decisions and adjustments when challenges or unexpected changes arise
- Maintain control of the kitchen during service and ensure the team stays organized and focused
- Ensure proper execution of on-site cooking, finishing, plating, garnishing, and presentation
- Assist with and oversee culinary load-in and load-out
Event Preparation & Pack-Out
- Review event menus and production needs prior to each assigned event
- Lead and complete event pack-outs, ensuring all food, ingredients, equipment, and supplies are accounted for
- Ensure ingredients and menu items are properly labeled, organized, packed, and transported
- Verify that all components needed for successful event execution are ready before leaving the kitchen
- Identify potential issues during preparation and address them before they impact the event
Kitchen Leadership
- Lead by example and set the standard for professionalism, teamwork, cleanliness, and food quality
- Assign and delegate prep and event responsibilities to kitchen staff
- Monitor progress and adjust assignments as needed to keep production on schedule
- Provide direction and support to Event Cooks and other BOH team members
- Communicate expectations clearly and professionally
- Help train and develop less experienced kitchen team members
- Maintain a positive and productive kitchen environment, even during high-pressure events
Food Quality & Safety
- Ensure all food is prepared according to recipes, company standards, and client specifications
- Produce high-quality food with attention to taste, consistency, presentation, and portioning
- Ensure proper food handling, storage, temperature control, sanitation, and safety practices
- Maintain a clean, organized, and efficient kitchen and event workspace
- Ensure the team follows all applicable health and food safety standards
Qualifications & Requirements
- 2+ years of professional cooking experience; catering experience strongly preferred
- Previous lead cook, event cook, or kitchen leadership experience preferred
- Strong knowledge of professional cooking techniques and kitchen operations
- Ability to confidently lead a kitchen team in a fast-paced event environment
- Strong communication and delegation skills
- Ability to manage timelines and multiple priorities simultaneously
- Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to make decisions under pressure
- Ability to work independently and take ownership of assigned events
- Flexible and comfortable adapting to last-minute changes and client requests
- Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality
- Knowledge of current culinary practices and trends
- Reliable transportation required
- Clean driving record required
Compensation
- Part-time position with potential for full-time hours during our busy seasons
- Busy seasons are August–December and March–June
- Yearly raises based on performance
- Opportunities for growth and advancement
- Strong opportunity to grow within Rocky Top Catering and move into higher-level culinary leadership roles
- We believe in promoting from within
What Makes This Role Different?
The Lead Event Cook is the culinary leader on the event team. You will be responsible for more than preparing food—you will help organize the kitchen, lead the team, manage the culinary timeline, communicate with FOH leadership, and make sure the food is executed successfully from start to finish.
If you are an experienced cook who enjoys taking ownership, leading a team, and seeing an event come together, this is an opportunity to take the next step in your culinary career.
Additional Information
This job description is intended to provide a general overview of the role and is not an exhaustive list of duties. Employees may be asked to perform additional job-related tasks as needed to support Rocky Top Catering's operations and successfully execute events.
