1º Cook

1º Cook

Vida Plena is an innovative hospitality group founded in Lisbon in 2018, dedicated to making our guests and team feel truly at home. We pride ourselves on delivering warm, blissful experiences, fostering a diverse and inclusive atmosphere, serving top-quality fresh food, and providing exceptional service.

Our foundation is built on passion, respect, kindness, ambition, and modernity, alongside a commitment to joy, positive energy, and a laid-back approach to enjoying life's best moments. At Vida Plena, we embrace the true essence of hospitality while adhering to our core values, creating a fun, respectful, and loving environment for all.

The Role

As a 1º Cook, you will lead your station with passion and precision, ensuring consistent, high-quality dishes. You will mentor and inspire your team, optimize prep processes, and contribute to menu evolution, always upholding excellence and sustainable practices.

Your Key Responsibilities

• Lead and schedule 2nd & 3rd Cooks within the section
• Final-check plates for taste, temperature, and presentation before the pass
• Forecast and order section ingredients within budget
• Update prep lists and maintain accurate production logs
• Train and coach team on new techniques and safety protocols
• Collaborate on daily specials and menu refinements as well having a full knowledge of allergenics and safe temperatures
• Conduct section inventory counts and variance investigations
• Enforce sanitation audits and corrective actions

What We Expect From You

• Experience: 3–5 years of experience in a high-volume, scratch kitchen, including at least 1 year leading a station.
• Exposure to cost control and supplier communication.
• Strong skills in recipe scaling, yield testing, and basic food-cost calculations.
• Deep knowledge of classical and modern cooking techniques.
• Natural coaching mindset with positive leadership tone.
• Keen eye for detail and relentless focus on quality.
• Ability to remain calm under pressure and manage stress effectively.
• Formal culinary diploma or recognized certification (e.g., City & Guilds).
• Good spoken and written English to communicate with diverse teams and suppliers.

What's in For you?

At Vida Plena, you're not just taking a position; you are joining a community that values joy, respect, and a collective pursuit of excellence. If you're prepared to bring your expertise, passion, and innovation to our team, we're excited to welcome you into our fold.

• A salary that respects your work — competitive pay from day one
• Performance that pays off — team performance bonus and fair tip distribution, because great service deserves real recognition
• Enjoy the experience yourself — group discounts for you and your guests across all our venues
• Wellbeing is a priority — a mental health partner and weekly activities on us, from yoga and boxing to meditation, keeping you energised on and off the floor
• Celebrations that bring us together — regular team-building events and group parties, because the best teams also know how to have fun
• Room to grow — be part of an expanding hospitality group with internal mobility and career progression opportunities.