Cook II

Cook II

This role supports all aspects of kitchen operations across breakfast, lunch, dinner, and grill service in a hospital environment. You will prepare and cook a variety of hot and cold menu items, support both retail and patient meal production, and help ensure a clean, safe, and efficient kitchen. The position requires flexibility to work AM, PM, weekends, holidays, and vacation relief shifts while consistently delivering high-quality food and excellent customer service.

Responsibilities

• Prepare, cook, portion, and present a variety of hot and cold food items for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and grill service.
• Follow standardized recipes, portion controls, and food presentation standards to ensure consistency and quality.
• Learn and execute both retail and patient menu production as required by daily operations.
• Cross-train and assist in all kitchen functions, including food preparation, salad and cold food production, patient meal service, retail food service, dishwashing, and dish room operations.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and sanitary work environment in accordance with food safety and sanitation guidelines.
• Properly store, label, and rotate food products to ensure freshness and compliance with safety standards.
• Operate kitchen equipment safely and correctly as part of daily food production.
• Collaborate effectively with coworkers to ensure efficient kitchen operations and timely meal delivery.
• Provide excellent customer service to patients, guests, and staff, responding courteously to requests and feedback.
• Assist with opening, closing, and cleaning duties as assigned to support smooth shift transitions.
• Support kitchen operations during staffing shortages, vacations, and peak service periods by working in multiple areas as needed.
• Practice proper food handling techniques and uphold all food safety and sanitation policies.
• Monitor inventory levels, support inventory control processes, and communicate needs to maintain adequate stock.
• Manage time effectively to complete tasks in a fast-paced environment and meet meal service deadlines.
• Work calmly and efficiently under pressure during high-volume service periods.

Essential Skills

• Proven experience in cooking or food preparation in a hospital, healthcare facility, cafeteria, restaurant, or large-volume food service environment (preferred).
• Strong food preparation skills, including hot line cooking, cold prep, and food production.
• Proficiency with knife skills and safe use of kitchen equipment.
• Solid understanding of food safety, sanitation, and kitchen cleaning procedures.
• Ability to follow standardized recipes, portion guidelines, and presentation standards.
• Experience with dietary cooking and accommodating different menu requirements.
• Ability to work flexible schedules, including mornings, evenings, weekends, and holiday coverage as needed.
• Strong time management skills and the ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced, high-volume environment.
• Ability to work under pressure while maintaining accuracy, quality, and safety.
• Effective teamwork and communication skills to collaborate with kitchen and service staff.
• Strong customer service mindset with a positive, professional attitude.
• Dependable attendance and reliability, with a willingness to assist wherever needed.
• Comfort with cross-training and working in multiple kitchen areas to support operational needs.
• Ability to pass a background check as required.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Previous experience as a line cook, prep cook, or chef in a large-volume setting.
• Experience in hospital or healthcare food service and patient meal delivery.
• Familiarity with inventory control processes and stock rotation.
• Experience in hospitality or customer-facing food service roles.
• Knowledge of food safety and sanitation best practices, including proper food handling and storage.
• Comfort working across multiple shifts and supporting vacation and staffing relief.
• Interest in long-term employment with potential for direct hire based on performance and business needs.

Why Work Here?

You will join a stable, mission-driven environment where your work directly supports patient care and guest satisfaction. After completing 520 hours, you have the opportunity for contract-to-hire consideration, creating a clear path toward long-term employment. The organization offers opportunities to cross-train in multiple kitchen areas, helping you broaden your skills and advance your career in food service. You will work with a supportive team that values reliability, collaboration, and a positive attitude, and you will have the chance to demonstrate your performance for potential direct hire opportunities.

Work Environment

This role is based in a hospital environment, supporting both patient and retail food service operations. You will work in a busy, fast-paced kitchen that includes hot line, grill, salad and cold prep, dish room, and general production areas. The position requires flexibility to work AM and PM shifts, including weekends and holidays, and to provide coverage during staffing shortages and vacation periods. You will regularly use standard commercial kitchen equipment, practice strict food safety and sanitation procedures, and adhere to established cleaning and organizational standards throughout your shift.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Carthage, TX.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $15.37 - $15.37/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)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Carthage, TX.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 17, 2026.