Lead Prep Cook

The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery (OMB) is a distinguished craft beer brewery and restaurant located in Charlotte, North Carolina, known for its dedication to authentic German beer brewing traditions. Established in 2009, OMB has become one of Charlotte's premier destinations for lovers of craft beer, brewing exclusively under the German Purity Law of 1516, Reinheitsgebot. This historic law mandates that their beer only contains four ingredients: water, barley, hops, and yeast, reflecting an unwavering commitment to purity, quality, and tradition. The brewery’s original location in Charlotte’s Lower South End (LoSo) features a state-of-the-art production facility, a full-service restaurant, and an expansive one-acre biergarten—a perfect gathering place that captures the spirit of genuine German brewing culture. In Spring 2024, OMB expanded with an impressive second location in Ballantyne, boasting a two-story, 14,000-square-foot restaurant and biergarten designed to accommodate and serve even more members of the Charlotte community. OMB’s beers are widely distributed across North Carolina through an independent wholesaler network, further solidifying their reputation and presence in the state’s beer landscape.

The Lead Prep Cook role at OMB’s Ballantyne location is a vital position within the Culinary Management Team that plays a foundational part in the daily operations of the kitchen. Reporting directly to the Executive Chef, the Lead Prep Cook is responsible for setting the standard for all prep work and leading the prep operation to ensure food quality, consistency, and efficiency. This hourly position offers a base wage ranging from $20 to $22 per hour, depending on qualifications, and focuses on leadership, organization, and craftsmanship in food preparation. The Lead Prep Cook collaborates closely with both the Culinary and Service Teams, overseeing ingredient preparation, maintaining cleanliness, and ensuring all food items meet the high standards expected by OMB. This role demands meticulous attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple tasks under pressure, as well as strong communication skills and the capacity to mentor and train prep staff. The position also embodies OMB’s core values of dedication to quality, integrity, service-mindedness, community pride, leadership, and teamwork.

In addition to daily prep duties such as washing, chopping, and measuring ingredients, preparing proteins and sauces, and maintaining accurate labeling and temperature logs, the Lead Prep Cook plays a key role in inventory management and quality enforcement. They ensure stations are well-stocked, prep logs are updated, and all health department food service guidelines are strictly followed. The job also involves adaptability to changing priorities, assisting with catered event execution, and fostering an environment of positivity and collaboration. OMB offers various benefits to full-time employees, including comprehensive health coverage (medical, dental, and vision), a 401(k) retirement plan with company match, a free beer stipend, employee discounts, complimentary family meals, and opportunities for professional growth within both locations and departments. Joining OMB means becoming part of a team committed not only to exceptional craft beer and food but also to a culture that values its employees and guests equally, making it an exciting and fulfilling place to advance your culinary career.