Mental Health Cook

Mental Health Cook - Behavioral Health

Under general supervision, participates in the preparation, volume cooking and portioning of meals for patients in a psychiatric facility; performs related work as assigned.

Work Location: 720 Wood St Eureka, CA 95501

Work Hours: Four 10-hour shifts or three 13.5-hour shifts. May include some evenings and/or weekends.

Examples Of Duties

• Personally participates in the preparation, cooking and portioning of meals; prepares vegetables and fruits; cooks meats, soups and other foods; prepares sauces, gravies, breads and pastries; performs similar preparation tasks.
• Orders and/or purchases required food items.
• Prepares and oversees the preparation of a full range of meals, including special diets.
• Ensures that food preparation equipment, cooking and serving utensils, kitchen work areas and the dining area are orderly, clean and sanitary.
• Uses, cleans, adjusts and performs minor maintenance to a variety of large institutional cooking equipment.
• Stores leftover food appropriately, maintains stocks of food and supplies; receives food and supplies, unpacks and stores in the appropriate location.
• Maintains records of food and supplies used and meals served.
• Instructs aides in methods of basic meal preparation

Qualifications

Knowledge of:

• Principles, methods and equipment used in high volume meal preparation in an institutional setting.
• Safe work practices and sanitation related to food preparation and service.
• Basic business arithmetic.
• Basic inventory and recordkeeping principles.

Skill in:

• Preparing meals in a large scale, institutional setting.
• Overseeing and prioritizing the work of others.
• Operating, cleaning and performing minor maintenance to large institutional food preparation and cooking equipment.
• Maintaining accurate records and preparing work related reports.
• Instructing others in work procedure.
• Making accurate arithmetic calculations.
• Reading, understanding and following recipes and oral and written directions.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work.

Other Requirements:

• Must routinely stand and walk for extended periods.

Desirable Education and Experience:

• Two years of experience in large scale institutional food preparation and volume cooking experience