Kitchen Lead

Canton Rodeo is an emerging restaurant brand gearing up for an exciting launch with its very first location in Paramus, New Jersey, scheduled to open in August 2026. Known for delivering authentic Cantonese cuisine with a focus on precise preparation, fresh ingredients, and exceptional guest experiences, Canton Rodeo aims to establish itself as a premier dining destination in the region. The company values a mission centered around hospitality, excellence, continuous growth, and fostering a fun yet professional environment for both guests and employees. As part of the opening team, this is a unique opportunity to join a vibrant and fast-growing restaurant concept that is committed to quality, teamwork, and innovation in the culinary world.

As a Kitchen Lead at Canton Rodeo, you will play a critical leadership role within the Back of House (BOH) team. Reporting to the Assistant Manager and General Manager, the Kitchen Lead will be directly responsible for supervising food and meat preparation, ensuring that each dish meets the brand's high standards of quality, presentation, and consistency. This is a hands-on leadership position requiring active participation in prep, cooking, and service activities, in addition to overseeing the performance and development of other team members, including Prep Cooks and Carvers. The Kitchen Lead must embody Canton Rodeo’s core values such as Hospitality First, Excellence, Growth Mindset, Speed with Purpose, Clean and Proud, and Fun! This role offers a competitive hourly wage ranging from $20.50 to $23.50, reflecting the importance of strong leadership, operational skills, and culinary expertise.

The Kitchen Lead is integral to the kitchen’s smooth operation, managing everything from the trimming and portioning of meats to the careful marinating and carving process to uphold portion size and presentation standards. They will also assist with inventory management, sanitation, and food safety compliance, ensuring the kitchen is not only productive but operates safely and within regulatory standards. A key part of this leadership role involves mentoring and coaching the BOH team members, promoting teamwork, accountability, and pride in execution to create a positive and efficient work environment.

Physical demands and fast-paced conditions are intrinsic to this role, with exposure to high heat, noise, and continuous movement in tight kitchen spaces. The Kitchen Lead must be capable of multitasking during busy rushes, handling sharp tools with precision, and maintaining cleanliness and organization throughout the kitchen. This role requires a flexible schedule including early mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays, reflecting the dynamic nature of the restaurant industry.

Joining Canton Rodeo at this stage means becoming part of a foundational team that will shape the guest experience and operational culture for years to come. The Kitchen Lead position is perfect for someone with a passion for food, hospitality, and leadership who thrives in a dynamic, high-volume kitchen environment and who takes pride in mentoring a team to deliver excellence consistently. This is an exceptional career opportunity to grow with a company committed to developing talent and fostering a respectful, energetic, and inclusive workplace.