Contracted Meals Kitchen Assistant

Job Title: Contracted Meals Kitchen Assistant
Department: Restaurant Operations
Reports to:   Contracted Meals Chef
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt, Part-Time
Salary: $17.85/Hour

To apply: Visit

OVERVIEW:
In an atmosphere of dignity and respect, Inspiration Corporation connects people and creates opportunity through access to social services, job training, housing, and food. Each year, Inspiration Corporation works with hundreds of resilient Chicagoans who face systemic disparities and inequities, such as homelessness, hunger, and social isolation.
 
In order to help individuals and families overcome these barriers, we provide dedicated support coupled with housing, job training, scholarships, meals and engagement services. Inspiration Corporation meets people where they are in life, helping them access the support they need and achieve their personal goals. Inspiration Corporation programs are voluntary, and all service needs and goals are participant-driven. Our case management philosophy is strengths -based and trauma-informed. Inspiration Corporation practices harm reduction and focuses on reducing or minimizing the harm associated with high-risk behavior through motivational interviewing.

Inspiration Kitchens is the social enterprise restaurant, catering and foodservice training and employment program of Inspiration Corporation.  The restaurant prepares contemporary American cuisine and is top-rated in the Chicagoland community (4+ stars on Yelp, featured on Check Please!).  Inspiration Kitchens’ culinary skills job training program for low-income job seekers equips participants with basic culinary, sanitation and restaurant operations skills and offers participants paid, on-the-job experience.  Revenue from Inspiration Kitchens’ restaurant and catering helps to support the larger goals of Inspiration Corporation and its mission.

• Integrity – We cultivate trusting, collaborative relationships rooted in mutual respect and accountability.
• Growth – We encourage personal development, curiosity and being open to new possibilities.
• Equity – We recognize each person’s inherent rights and advocate for inclusive access to resources and opportunities.
• Resilience – We persevere and seek solutions that celebrate our strength in the face of adversity, while practicing and encouraging self-care.
• Hospitality – We create uplifting, accepting, and nourishing connections with everyone who comes through our doors.

Inspiration Corporation believes that these values are central to our work with participants and one another, and they create a culture we all have a stake in.

POSITION SUMMARY:
The Contracted Meals Kitchen Assistant is vital to the success of the agency’s catering services to provide contracted meals.  The position reports to the Contracted Meals Chef and supports preparation, production, packaging and delivery of up to 1,500 daily meals to the Shelter Placement and Resource Center (SPARC).  Daily meal production is breakfast, lunch, and dinner, on a 7 day-a-week basis, including holidays.

The Contracted Meals Kitchen Assistant position is part-time, up to 29 hours per week, and is part of the Restaurant Operations team, which along with the Foodservice Training & Employment team, make up the Inspiration Kitchens Social Enterprise team.  The Contracted Meals Kitchen Assistant will prepare, including cleaning and cutting ingredients, and cook food according to recipes provided; assemble cold sandwiches and portion and package food as instructed to ensure meals are distributed safely and efficiently.

GENERAL DUTIES:

• Demonstrate Inspiration Corporation’s Core Values.
• Uphold Policies and Procedures of Inspiration Corporation and Inspiration Kitchens.
• Exhibit professionalism and high standards in all aspects of performance.
• Maintain a safe environment inside kitchen and throughout facility .
• Be proactive in approach to pest control with guidance from supervisor.
• Follow health, safety, and sanitation guidelines for all products.
• Attend required trainings and department and agency meetings.
• Perform other duties assigned by Contracted Meals Chef or Manager on Duty to support program operations.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Meal Handling & Preparation

• Review daily prep sheets and recipes from the Contracted Meals Chef and organize tasks to support meal production and packaging.
• Prepare food, including cleaning and cutting ingredients, and cook food according to recipes provided; assemble cold sandwiches per instruction.
• Ensure meals are correctly portioned, labeled, and packaged according to guidelines and service expectations and ready to transport and be distributed safely and efficiently.
• Reheat or finish meals as needed using on-site kitchen equipment before delivery.
• Verify meal accuracy and presentation with the Contracted Meals Chef or Manager on Duty and Driver prior to delivery.
• Follow standards for merchandising, inventory, stocking, rotating, and storing all products.

Sanitation & Food Safety

• Maintain cleanliness and order in kitchen, storage, and prep areas.
• Follow food handling and sanitation protocols to ensure health code compliance.
• Participate in training sessions related to food handling.
• Assist with dishwashing, surface cleaning, and end-of-shift sanitation.

Team Coordination & Communication

• Support Contracted Meals Chef and other team members.
• Report supply needs, equipment issues, or delivery discrepancies.
• Support meal distribution setup and clean-up as scheduled.
• Loading and delivering meals as needed.

Food Recovery & Sustainability (Supportive Role)

• Support and assist with coordinating and organizing recovered food from partners, including Green City Market.
• Help record weights and types of donated goods to maintain accurate donation data.
• Support proper storage, rotation, and organization of recovered items to ensure freshness and food safety.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE & SKILLS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The following requirements are representative of the education, experience and skills necessary for the position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• High school diploma or equivalent required.

• A valid City of Chicago Food Safety Manager Certification required and must be obtained within 30 days of position start date. (Inspiration Corporation will cover costs of training and licensing).

• Prior kitchen or food service experience preferred.
• Able to follow instructions and strong attention to detail, especially in portioning and labeling.
• Patience with the ability to stay positive, complete work on time while maintaining focus in a fast-paced environment.
• A team player that communicates effectively and demonstrates a positive, solution-oriented attitude with a commitment to quality.
• Dependable, punctual, and able to work independently and as part of a team.
• Flexible availability, including early mornings, late evenings, and weekends.
• A clean driving record is required, along with a current, valid, state-issued driver’s license.
• A Motor Vehicle Report (MVR) demonstrating a clean driving record must be provided.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee, to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to stand, walk, talk and hear.  The employee frequently is required to walk and stand for long periods.  The employee must be able to lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. 
 
WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The Contracted Meals Kitchen Assistant is a part-time position, working up to 29 hours per week in accordance with the demands of meals, catering and restaurant services.  Work shifts include early mornings, late evenings, weekends and holidays.  Work is performed at Inspiration Kitchens in East Garfield Park on Chicago’s west side and involves standing, bending, lifting and repetitive motion in an active kitchen.

Inspiration Corporation is an equal opportunity employer.