Cooks, Chefs, and Leads

Kitchen Leads, Cooks, and Chefs

Legends Global has excellent and immediate openings for Kitchen Leads, Cooks, and Chefs at the Del Mar Fairgrounds & Racetrack. These are seasonal positions for the 2025 Breeders' Cup (Friday, October 31 and Saturday, November 1) and the Fall Meet horse racing season (October 30 November 30, 2025). Next year's season will begin during the Summer. Must be available to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed. Strong preference for availability on 10/31 and 11/1.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities Include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Kitchen Leads / Sous Chefs / Chefs

• Execute large-volume, high-standard culinary operations for race-day clubs, suites, concessions, and premium spaces.
• Read and fulfill Banquet Event Orders (BEOs); plan station setup, prep lists, and staff deployment.
• Ensure recipe adherence, portioning, and quality/food safety standards; maintain temperature logs and labeling.
• Oversee expo and service timing; coordinate with FOH for on-time plating and replenishment.
• Train, lead, and coach line cooks and stewards; model safe knife/equipment use and sanitation practices.
• Manage par levels and waste control; assist with receiving, storage, and daily inventory counts.
• Maintain cleanliness and organization of kitchens; coordinate with Stewarding for dish and equipment flow.

Cooks (Line/Prep)

• Prepare recipes as directed; batch, cook, and hold items to spec and BEO requirements.
• Set up, stock, and break down hot/cold stations; maintain clean, sanitary work areas.
• Execute consistent knife cuts, saut, roast, grill, fry, carve, and finish plates to standard.
• Support buffet presentations (garnishing, replenishment) and backfill other stations as needed.

Stewards (as needed for these operations)

• Wash, rack, and store wares; maintain dish areas and equipment.
• Handle trash/compactors; keep BOH and storage areas clean, safe, and organized.
• Assist with equipment transport, event setup/strike, and supply transfers.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Kitchen Leads / Sous Chefs / Chefs: Yes: leads line cooks and stewards during shifts.
• Cooks: N/A.

Qualifications To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience

• Kitchen Leads / Sous Chefs / Chefs: 2+ years in a leadership role in high-volume restaurants, hotels, sports, or large event venues; banquet/event experience strongly preferred.
• Cooks: 1+ year in a high-volume kitchen preferred.
• Certifications: ServSafe Food Handler required; ServSafe Manager (or equivalent) preferred for Leads/Sous Chefs/Chefs.
• High school diploma or GED preferred.

Skills and Abilities

• Ability to read and execute BEOs and production sheets accurately.
• Strong station management, time management, and communication skills.
• High standards for food quality, presentation, and sanitation; attention to detail.
• Ability to work collaboratively and adapt in fast-paced, high-volume event settings.
• Stewards: Ability to lift up to 50 lbs.

Computer Skills N/A

Compensation $24.00 $35.00 per hour, commensurate with position and experience.

Other Qualifications

• Complies with portion sizes, quality standards, and all departmental policies and procedures.
• Demonstrates strong knife skills and safe equipment operation.
• Prepares and finishes salads, dressings, cold and hot sauces, appetizers, proteins, and sides per spec.
• Assists with carving, buffet setup, and premium presentation standards as assigned.

Physical Demands While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to move around the facility; stand for long hours during events; talk and hear. This position may require work inside or outside of the building, as needed by events. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Note The essential responsibilities of this position are described under the headings above. They may be subject to change at any time due to reasonable accommodation or other reasons. This document in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Applicants who need reasonable accommodations to complete the application process may contact 858.755.6345. Legends Global is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and encourages Women, Minorities, Individuals with Disabilities, and Protected Veterans to apply. VEVRAA Federal Contractor.