Lead Cook

Join Our Team as a Lead Cook 

Are you a proven restaurant leader who thrives in fast-paced environments, builds strong teams, and drives results wherever you go? At Luna Grill, you won't just hear us say we have great culture, we can prove it:

Rapid Growth:  We built 11 new restaurants across Southern California, Arizona, and Texas in 2026, with more growth planned for 2027 (including our first locations in Nevada!!). Growth like this means real opportunity: more restaurants, more leadership roles, and more room to move up.

Training & Culture That Works: Our restaurant-level turnover sits below 50%!!! less than half the industry average. That's not an accident; it's what happens when people are developed, supported, and are a part of something great! 

A Team That's Winning: We've averaged a 4.8 guest review rating on Google and Yelp company-wide for two years running!!Join a team that's winning and be a winner with us.

At Luna Grill, we’re looking for Lead Cooks to oversee production, coach the team, and ensure seamless kitchen operations while upholding our quality and consistency. Step up and lead with expertise and energy.

Locations & Pay (compensation varies by region and market)

California – LA • Orange County • San Diego • Inland Empire$20.50/hr (up to $24.00/hr with tips)

Texas – Dallas • Fort Worth • Kaufman • Collin$14.00–$17.00/hr (up to $20.00/hr with tips)

Arizona – Maricopa$18.00–$20.00/hr (up to $23.00/hr with tips)

Why You’ll Love Luna Grill

We’re not your typical restaurant gig — we’re a people-first brand with real food and real opportunities.

Flexible Scheduling for work-life balance

Career Growth Opportunities – we promote from within!

Tip Pool Participation – all team members share in the tips

Free Healthy Shift Meal

Referral Bonus Program

Recognition & Rewards for performance and teamwork

Luna Grill Employee Discounts and more!

A people-first culture where teamwork, respect, and hospitality come first

What You’ll Do

As a Luna Grill Lead Cook, you’ll be leading BOH operations during assigned shifts while ensuring food quality, safety, accuracy, and speed of service. This position combines hands-on cooking with shift leadership responsibilities such as training team members, monitoring food safety logs, coordinating station assignments, and maintaining compliance with Luna Grill standards.

Prepare, cook, and plate menu items according to Luna Grill recipes and portion standards

Operate grills, fryers, ovens, and other kitchen equipment safely and efficiently

Maintain food quality, safety, and sanitation standards always

Set up, organize, and maintain a clean workstation throughout the shift

Support the kitchen team with prep, stocking, and closing duties

Direct and assist team members during shifts to ensure smooth operations

Communicate effectively with leadership and teammates to keep service running efficiently

Assist with dishwashing, kitchen maintenance and other tasks as needed

 What we’re looking for:

1+ years of kitchen leadership experience in a high-volume or fast-casual environment required

Strong understanding of food prep, portion control, and recipe consistency

Knowledge of food safety and sanitation best practices

Positive, dependable team player who thrives under pressure

Must be 18 years or older

Strong knowledge of kitchen operations, food safety, and sanitation

Reliable, professional, and able to communicate clearly

Able to work productively with minimal supervision

High School Diploma or GED preferred

Bilingual (English/Spanish) a plus

Who We Are

We are Lunatics — driven by culture, standards, and teamwork, where people come first. You will not just be working a station. You will be setting the pace for the kitchen, keeping food safety and quality on track, and helping the cooks around you get better every shift, while still cooking yourself.

Luna Grill participates in E-Verify for all positions.

E-Verify is an internet-based system operated by the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA) that allows participating employers to electronically verify the eligibility of new employees to work in the United States. E-Verify checks information provided on an employee’s Form I-9 electronically against records contained in DHS and SSA databases. 

Luna Grill is an equal opportunity employer. We offer a welcoming and inclusive environment to our team members, job applicants, the guests we serve, and the communities we call home. Luna Grill also has a longstanding policy of providing a work environment that respects the dignity and worth of each individual and is free from all forms of discrimination, including harassment, because of race, color, sex, gender, age, religion or religious creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.