Cook Lead
Company : Catholic Health Initiatives
Location : Sugar Land, TX, 77478
Job Type : Full Time
Salary : 15.13-21.37 HOUR
Date Posted : 3 January 2026
Job Summary and Responsibilities
As our Cook, you will be essential to patient, staff, and visitor well-being by preparing high-quality, safe, and delicious meals, including those for multiple therapeutic diets. You will meticulously adhere to all state and federal food preparation regulations in a healthcare environment.
Every day you will follow safe cooking techniques, execute recipes with precision, and apply rigorous quality control to ensure consistent food quality and adherence.
To be successful in this role, you will possess proven experience in high-volume food preparation, a strong understanding of food safety and therapeutic diets, and a commitment to culinary excellence within a fast-paced setting.
- Champions food quality standards of appearance, taste, temperature and sanitation.
- Prepares and serves food within guidelines of menu and dietary requirements, using required kitchen utensils and equipment such as slicers, mixers, ovens, fryers, steamers, stove tops, and grills, etc. Modifies preparations to account for food allergies. .
- Maintains proper labeling of food products and ensures storage of food equipment, and machinery per regulations and facility guidelines.
- Performs washing and cleaning duties to ensure sanitation and cleanliness in cooking and serving areas.
Required
- Minimum two (2) years of experience in food services or
- Food Handler Permit: TX, within 30 Days or
- Servsafe Certification, within 30 Days
- one (1) years of hospital experience
- Associates Other or two (2) years of equivalent combination of education and experience in lieu of the Associate’s degree. , upon hire
St. Luke's Health–Sugar Land Hospital offers the latest technology and treatments for residents of Fort Bend County and Southwest Houston. Our services range from heart care and neuroscience to robotic surgery. Our recently opened Family Birthing Center offers incomparable care and amenities in a spa-like environment to provide a VIP—Very Important Pregnancy—experience. Since 2008, our experienced doctors, nurses, and support staff have provided expert care to support our community.
Related Jobs
Top trending job titles hiring now
Frequently asked questions
In Sugar Land, a Cook Lead focuses heavily on managing high-volume meal prep, especially in healthcare settings like Catholic Health Initiatives. This means balancing precise therapeutic diet requirements and strict safety guidelines, unlike traditional restaurant cook roles which may have more creative freedom but less regulatory oversight.
Mastery of food safety protocols, experience with therapeutic diets, and ability to operate diverse kitchen equipment define success. Additionally, leadership skills to oversee kitchen teams and maintain rigorous quality control are vital for efficient hospital food service environments.
Progression might include roles like Kitchen Manager or Food Service Supervisor, often requiring added certifications or experience. Demonstrating expertise in compliance and team leadership in hospitals like St. Luke's Health can open doors to broader operational responsibilities.
Candidates typically must obtain a Texas Food Handler Permit or ServSafe certification within 30 days of hire. Catholic Health Initiatives values certifications that ensure compliance with healthcare food safety standards, which are critical in this facility.
Sugar Land's healthcare sector has a steady demand for skilled Cook Leads due to its growing population and medical facilities. Competition is moderate; candidates with hospital experience or relevant certifications tend to have a distinct advantage.
Balancing dietary restrictions with taste and presentation requires precision and knowledge of medical nutrition. Cook Leads must adapt recipes for allergies and medical conditions while ensuring consistent quality in a fast-paced, high-volume environment.
The organization encourages certification attainment and offers exposure to various healthcare culinary practices. Cook Leads gain valuable experience managing dietary-specific meal prep, positioning them well for leadership roles within hospital food services.
Cook Leads in Sugar Land generally earn between $38,000 and $45,000 annually, reflecting the specialized knowledge required for hospital food services and regulatory compliance. This range depends on experience and certifications like ServSafe.
Catholic Health Initiatives emphasizes patient-centered meal quality and therapeutic diet adherence with advanced kitchen technology. Their focus on a spa-like birthing center and comprehensive care adds unique culinary challenges compared to standard hospital kitchens.
Expect managing food prep for therapeutic diets, ensuring sanitation in kitchen areas, operating specialized equipment, and maintaining food labeling and storage per healthcare regulations. A typical day involves coordinating with dietitians and supervising kitchen staff to meet patient needs.