Food Services Cook

POSITION: Food Services Cook
REPORTS TO: Manager of Food Services
STATUS: Full-Time/Part-Time – Hourly – Non-Exempt

Overview: The position of Food Services Cook works under the direct supervision of the Manager of Food Services. The Food Services Cook is responsible for preparing and cooking a variety of dishes, ensuring that food is safe, nutritious, and good tasting for Coalition guests and, during weather emergencies, our local community. This role requires the ability to create monthly menus, which at times require short notice adjustments due to valuable community donations, to ensure full compliance with the Homeless Children’s Nutrition Program (HCNP). Food Services Cooks must have the ability to interact and communicate with Coalition technicians, other Coalition kitchen team members, and community volunteers to operate a successful food service enterprise. This role requires a dedicated and organized individual who thrives in a fast-paced culinary environment and enjoys working collaboratively as part of a team.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare and cook a variety of dishes, including salads, fruits, vegetables, entrées, and desserts.
• Ensure that all food is of high quality and meets Department of Health, CERs/VET, USDA, and Coalition standards.
• Follow recipes and cooking techniques to ensure consistency.
• Prepare simple components of each dish on the menu, including chopping vegetables and fruits, breads, cutting meat, and preparing sauces.
• Ensure that all meals served to children meet the nutritional requirements of the Homeless Children Nutrition Program (HCNP).
• Maintain a clean, sanitary, and organized kitchen.
• Diligently label and store all items in refrigerators and freezers with dates entered to ensure compliance with the FIFO (First In, First Out) strategy.
• Stock inventory and supplies as needed.
• Unload and store deliveries efficiently and safely.
• Collect all purchased food and nonfood receipts for required electronic data entry by the Food Service Manager.
• Coordinate with Kitchen Steward to ensure all kitchen contributions are recorded to document the date and contents of food donations and filed in the designated area.
• Assist with inventory management and ordering of supplies.
• Collaborate with other kitchen staff and community volunteers to ensure that all meals are prepared and served within established mealtimes.
• Give direction and guidance to meal groups and volunteers to fulfill the agency's mission of providing safe, nutritious, and tasty meals.
• Ensure the preparation station and kitchen are set up and stocked for meal service.
• Maintain cleanliness and sanitation in food preparation and storage areas, adhering to health and safety standards.
• Properly label, cover, and store leftovers according to Department of Health and Department of Agriculture standards.
• Support additional agency food/beverage requests for All Staff Meetings, board meetings, and other agency functions.
• Report any sightings of vermin such as insects or rodents to the Kitchen Manager or Operations Leadership immediately.
• Sweep and mop floors, particularly in the event of spills or breakages.
• Support other kitchen staff members by assisting with various tasks as needed.
• Report kitchen accidents or violations of food safety codes and procedures promptly.
• Clean kitchen machines and appliances, such as coffee makers, pots, pans, mixers, etc.
• Ensure Kitchen Steward disposes of trash and rinses garbage cans regularly throughout the shift.
• Dispose of trash and rinse garbage cans regularly.
• Fulfill other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Qualifications

• Must possess a state-recognized food handling certification (or obtain one within 30 days of employment).
• Must attend training on the Child Care Food Program (CCFP) and Homeless Children Nutrition Program (HCNP) within 60 days of employment and annually thereafter.
• High school diploma or GED preferred.
• At least one year of experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified.
• Completed degree(s) from an accredited institution above the minimum education requirement may be substituted for experience on a year-for-year basis.
• Candidates with two years of relevant cooking and kitchen experience are preferred.
• Bilingual candidates and veterans are strongly encouraged to apply.
• Speaking and understanding English is required for safety standards.

Required Skills

• Excellent communication skills.
• Give direction and guidance to meal groups and volunteers to fulfill the mission of the agency in providing safe, nutritious, and tasty meals.
• Stand for extended periods and perform repetitive tasks in a fast-paced environment.
• Lift and carry up to 50 pounds for short periods of time.
• Work efficiently and maintain attention to detail while multitasking and prioritizing tasks.
• Follow instructions from supervisors and communicate effectively with team members.
• Adapt to changing priorities and workflow demands during peak meal service times.
• Maintain a high level of cleanliness and organization in all work areas.
• Safely handle and dispose of hot items and cleaning chemicals in accordance with safety protocols.
• Work collaboratively with other kitchen staff members to ensure smooth operations and timely meal service.
• Uphold food safety and sanitation standards, including proper handling and storage of food items and equipment.
• Demonstrate reliability and punctuality in attendance, arriving on time for scheduled shifts and completing assigned tasks in a timely manner.
• Dependable and punctual.

Disclaimer: This job description does not imply that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee in this position. The employee will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and perform other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments. This description excludes the marginal functions of the position that are incidental to essential job duties. All duties, responsibilities, and requirements are vital to the job. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an "at-will" employment relationship.