Culinary Lead

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.

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.

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.
• 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…