FOOD SERVICE COOK

Food Service Cook

The Food Service Cook will be responsible for preparing, cooking, and presenting high-quality food items for customers in a quick-service environment. This role demands a strong culinary foundation, attention to detail, and the ability to work efficiently while maintaining cleanliness and food safety standards.

Responsibilities:

• Food Preparation & Cooking: Prepare food items by following standard recipes and ensuring that all food is cooked to order while maintaining proper portion sizes. Operate various kitchen equipment such as grills, fryers, ovens, and slicers, following manufacturer instructions and food safety regulations. Ensure that all prepared food meets quality standards in terms of taste, texture, and appearance. Work efficiently during peak hours to ensure quick turnaround times without sacrificing quality or safety.
• Food Safety & Sanitation: Follow food safety guidelines to properly store and handle raw ingredients, cooked items, and perishables to prevent contamination and spoilage. Clean and sanitize kitchen tools, equipment, and workspace regularly to maintain a hygienic environment. This includes regularly wiping down surfaces, sanitizing cooking utensils, and ensuring the kitchen area meets local health and safety regulations. Adhere to local and state health codes, ensuring that food is cooked, stored, and served at the proper temperatures. Monitor and report any food safety violations to management immediately.
• Customer Service & Interaction: Prepare food orders accurately based on customer specifications. Maintain a positive and friendly demeanor while interacting with customers. Ensure a high level of customer satisfaction by producing high-quality food. Address customer inquiries or complaints about food preparation or quality and work with management to resolve any issues swiftly.
• Inventory Control & Stock Management: Assist in tracking inventory levels of food items, ingredients, and supplies. Notify management when stock levels are low or when items need to be reordered. Ensure proper stock rotation of perishable items (FIFO: First In, First Out) to minimize waste and ensure freshness. Help maintain an organized and efficient kitchen by managing food storage areas and ensuring that all supplies are properly stored, labeled, and within their shelf life.
• Cleaning & Organization: Perform thorough cleaning duties at the end of each shift, ensuring that all kitchen surfaces, cooking equipment, and storage areas are cleaned and sanitized. Maintain a clean and organized kitchen, including pantry and food storage areas, ensuring easy access to all ingredients and equipment. Properly dispose of kitchen waste, including food scraps, grease, and packaging materials, ensuring that trash bins are emptied regularly and safely.
• Team Collaboration: Work collaboratively with other kitchen staff, including food preparers and cashiers, to ensure smooth kitchen operations and customer satisfaction. Assist in training new kitchen staff, demonstrating proper food preparation techniques, safety practices, and equipment handling. Assist with any other task as necessary to ensure kitchen efficiency and store operations run smoothly.

Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Previous experience in a kitchen or food service role, preferably within a convenience store, fast food, or restaurant setting.
• Basic knowledge of food safety and sanitation procedures, including proper food handling, storage, and temperature control.
• Food handler's certification or the ability to obtain one is a plus.

Skills & Abilities:

• Knowledge of cooking techniques and a variety of food items typically offered in a convenience store setting, such as sandwiches, salads, hot foods, and baked goods.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks in a high-volume, fast-paced environment while ensuring food quality and customer satisfaction.
• Ability to maintain consistency in food quality, portion sizes, and presentation standards.
• Strong verbal communication skills to effectively interact with customers and team members, both during meal service and when addressing food orders.
• Ability to quickly address and resolve issues in food preparation or customer service.

Reports To:

• Food Service Manager / Store Manager

Physical Requirements and Work Environment:

• Be able to stand extended periods (up to 8 hours) during shifts.
• Capable of lifting boxes and products, maximum 50 lbs., frequently 10-25 lbs., and carrying items across the store.
• Ability to bend, squat, and reach for products on shelves, both high and low. Ability to climb a ladder as needed.
• Must be able to walk throughout the store and between departments regularly.
• Ability to handle cash, operate registers, and bag items efficiently.
• Must be comfortable with repetitive tasks such as scanning items, restocking, and organizing products.
• Able to work in cold environments, including freezers and refrigerators, when restocking products.
• The role requires mental focus and stamina to perform physical tasks consistently and efficiently throughout the shift.
• Exposure to varying kitchen temperatures (hot cooking surfaces and cold storage areas).
• Seasonal snow removal, as needed.
• Ability to handle emergency situations.
• Ability to work alone.

The physical requirements and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met or encountered by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

Benefits:

We offer a competitive benefit package for full-time team members that includes health insurance, vacation, holiday pay, 401K with employer match and more. Our part-time team members are eligible for 401k with employer match and paid holidays and may also be eligible for health insurance.

Equal Employment Opportunity:

CrossAmerica Partners (or its subsidiaries and related entities) contract with employment service organizations to provide staffing for its retail operations. The employment service organizations are equal opportunity employers. For this position, the equal opportunity employer is Wildcat LLC. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to age, race, color, creed, religion, sex, affectional or sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, marital status, disability, military or veteran status, or any other classification protected by applicable law.

Accommodations:

The employment service organizations with which CrossAmerica Partners contacts, including Wildcat LLC, make all employment decisions in accordance with applicable laws and provide reasonable accommodations to qualifying individuals on the basis of any protected characteristic consistent with applicable law. Wildcat LLC is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. Wildcat LLC also provides reasonable accommodation to qualified job applicants (and employees) to accommodate the individual's known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, unless doing so would create undue hardship. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact View email address on click.appcast.io.