Kitchen Lead Associate

Llano Estacado Winery is a renowned winemaking establishment known for its commitment to quality and hospitality. Located in the Texas High Plains, it is one of the leading wineries in the region, celebrated for its award-winning wines and exceptional guest experiences. The winery operates as both a production facility and a destination spot for wine enthusiasts, offering tastings, events, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere. With a strong emphasis on community involvement and education about wine, Llano Estacado Winery strives to provide an authentic and engaging environment for its guests. The winery is dedicated to creating memorable moments through its unique offerings and polished service standards, making it a prominent name in the Texas wine industry.

The Kitchen Lead Associate position at Llano Estacado Winery is an exciting full-time role that plays a pivotal part in enhancing the guest experience at the winery’s tasting rooms and restaurant areas. Reporting directly to the Director of Hospitality, this role demands a hands-on leader who combines culinary skills with excellent hospitality and sales capabilities. The Kitchen Lead Associate is responsible for leading food preparation, maintaining cleanliness and adhering to food safety standards, as well as educating customers on wine pairings and promoting wine club memberships. This position requires a passion for food and wine pairing, an appreciation for fresh ingredients, and the ability to create visually appealing tapas-style and seasonal dishes that complement the winery’s products.

In this role, the Kitchen Lead Associate will greet guests with warmth, guide them through personalized and educational wine tastings, and provide confident recommendations tailored to individual preferences. Beyond food preparation, this role includes supervisory responsibilities such as training other tasting room associates, managing inventory, and supporting retail merchandising. The successful candidate will work closely with the management team to innovatively pair food with Llano Estacado wines, ensuring an elevated and memorable guest dining experience.

The position also entails operational duties such as accurate transaction processing, maintaining spotless service areas including the tasting room, patio, and restrooms, and supporting onsite events by assisting with setup and breakdown. Flexibility to work across multiple winery locations as business needs arise is also required. The role encourages a sales-minded approach combined with outstanding hospitality skills, aiming to meet or exceed sales goals for wine, food, and wine club memberships.

Being a full-time hourly position, the Kitchen Lead Associate will receive competitive wages, participate in tip sharing, and enjoy a suite of employee benefits. This opportunity is ideal for individuals who thrive in fast-paced environments, have a strong commitment to guest service, and possess a collaborative spirit. The role also supports professional growth, with certifications such as the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) and food handling provided and reimbursed. Overall, the Kitchen Lead Associate position offers a unique career path within a respected winery where culinary creativity, sales prowess, and hospitality excellence converge to deliver exemplary guest experiences.