Cook

Job Title: Cook

Job Description

This role prepares and serves high-quality food in accordance with federal, state, and corporate standards, as well as established policies and procedures. The cook ensures that every meal meets quality, safety, and presentation expectations while supporting a clean, efficient, and customer-focused foodservice operation.

Responsibilities

• Prepare high-quality food items by following standardized recipes and instructions to meet production, delivery, and service schedules.
• Serve meals or prepare food for delivery using correct portioning, meeting outlined standards, and ensuring food is at the proper temperature, visually appealing, and flavorful.
• Taste all prepared food items to verify quality, seasoning, and consistency before service.
• Use established ticket collection procedures during service and maintain accurate records for the area worked during service periods.
• Clean the kitchen after food preparation and service, maintaining high standards of cleanliness and sanitation at all times.
• Store or discard excess food in accordance with safe food-handling procedures and organizational guidelines.
• Keep refrigerators, freezers, and storerooms clean, organized, and neat, ensuring all food and supply items are stored according to standards.
• Operate and maintain kitchen equipment safely and correctly, following all instructions and guidelines.
• Assist with production planning, including forecasting, scheduling, and preparation, as well as required record keeping and reporting.
• Assist with ordering and receiving food and supply deliveries, verifying accuracy and quality as required.
• Report needed maintenance, faulty equipment, safety concerns, or accidents promptly to the appropriate supervisor.
• Maintain positive working relationships with coworkers, customers, administrators, and managers, demonstrating a professional and customer service-oriented attitude.
• Perform job duties safely while maintaining a clean, safe, and organized work environment.
• Perform other related duties as assigned to support the overall success of the foodservice operation.

Essential Skills

• Experience in cold food preparation, including assembling salads, sandwiches, and other chilled menu items.
• Proven experience working in a commercial kitchen environment.
• Expertise in high-volume settings such as hospitals, hotels, casinos, or similar operations is preferred.
• Strong food preparation and cooking skills, including line cook and food production experience.
• Knowledge of food safety and safe food-handling practices.
• Ability to maintain high food quality standards, including taste, temperature, and presentation.
• Ability to perform kitchen cleaning and dishwashing tasks to maintain sanitation standards.
• Customer service skills and the ability to interact with customers in a professional, courteous manner.
• Customer service–oriented mindset with a focus on hospitality and guest satisfaction.
• Ability to work effectively in a nursing home, retirement, or similar healthcare-related foodservice environment.
• Ability to lift more than 50 pounds safely and repeatedly as required by the role.
• Capability to operate and maintain kitchen equipment safely and according to instructions.
• Strong teamwork and communication skills to maintain good working relationships with coworkers and leadership.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Previous experience in a hospital, hotel, casino, or other high-volume foodservice environment is preferred.
• Experience with foodservice operations in nursing homes or retirement communities is beneficial.
• Expertise as a chef, line cook, or food production worker is an advantage.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.
• Attention to detail in following recipes, portioning standards, and ticket procedures.
• Strong sense of responsibility for cleanliness, organization, and safety in the kitchen.
• Flexibility to work extended hours, including weekends and overtime, as needed.

Why Work Here?

You join an organization that offers comprehensive benefits, growth opportunities, and meaningful recognition. Both full-time and part-time associates who transition to permanent roles can access a retirement plan, associate shopping programs, health and wellness programs, a discount marketplace, identity theft protection, pet insurance, and voluntary benefits such as critical illness, accident, hospital indemnity, legal services, and auto and home programs. Full-time associates also receive medical, dental, vision, life and AD&D insurance, disability coverage, commuter benefits, flexible spending accounts, and an employee assistance program that can help with finding affordable housing after unforeseen events. The organization values internal growth, actively promotes from within, and supports cross-training for those who want to expand their skills. Permanent associates are eligible for holiday pay at enhanced rates for hours worked on holidays, performance-based bonuses tied to patient satisfaction, and employee discounts on meals during shifts. The culture emphasizes support, development, and recognition, creating an environment where you can build a long-term, rewarding career.

Work Environment

This position is based in a cafeteria setting within a larger facility and may involve direct interaction with customers. The environment is a busy, high-volume commercial kitchen where teamwork, communication, and adherence to safety and sanitation standards are essential. Typical schedule coverage is Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with openness to working weekends, staying late, and taking on overtime when needed. The role involves standing for extended periods, working around hot and cold equipment, and lifting more than 50 pounds. Dress code includes black pants, a collared shirt, and black slip-resistant shoes. For safety and hygiene, no fake eyelashes, fake nails, facial piercings, or non-natural hair colors are permitted. The workplace emphasizes cleanliness, safe food handling, and a professional appearance while providing a structured and supportive environment.E

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Southaven, MS.

The pay range for this position is $15.50 - $15.50/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:
• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

This is a fully onsite position in Southaven,MS.

This position is anticipated to close on May 20, 2026.

About Aerotek:

We know that finding work is hard, and finding meaningful work is harder. Aerotek connects 180,000+ light industrial and skilled trades workers with 14,000+ employers each year, helping our workers navigate an evolving labor market and find jobs that meets their goals, skills and interests. Since 1983, we have provided a variety of career opportunities across North American industry – from short-term assignments at Fortune 500 companies where you can build your skills, to long-term opportunities where you can play a vital role solving for companies’ construction, manufacturing and maintenance challenges. Our 1,500+ experienced recruiters across 250+ offices work relentlessly to put our workforce in a position to thrive. Let us rise to meet your challenges and put our people-are everything spirit to the test as your career continues to grow.

Aerotek offers weekly pay, employee benefits including medical, dental & vision, life insurance, health advocacy and employee assistance programs, a 401(k) plan, and employee discounts.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regards to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.