Cook, Lola's Cafe

Cook, Lola's Cafe

We are seeking an energized cook to bring passion, momentum, and culinary excellence to our kitchen. In this high-energy role, you will accurately and efficiently prepare, portion, cook, and present a dynamic variety of hot and/or cold food items across multiple meal periods, including breakfast, lunch, dinner, and special/catered events.

If you thrive in a fast-paced environment and love creating great food experiences, we want you on our team. While the core responsibilities are outlined below, the university may assign additional duties to support overall operational success.

Major duties and responsibilities:

• Prepares and cooks to order foods that may require short preparation time
• May prepare food and serve customers at an a la carte and may operate a grill station
• Prepares food in accordance with current applicable federal, state and corporate standards, guidelines and regulations to ensure high-quality food service is provided
• Reads food orders or receives verbal instructions on food required by patrons, and prepares and cooks food according to instructions
• Provides the highest quality of service to customers at all times
• Follows basic recipes and/or product directions for preparing, seasoning, cooking, tasting, carving and serving soups, meats, vegetables, desserts and other foodstuffs for consumption in eating establishments
• Prepares foods under direct supervision or instruction by operating a variety of kitchen equipment to measure and mix ingredients, washing, peeling, cutting and shredding fruits and vegetables, and trimming and cutting meat, poultry or fish for culinary use
• Tastes products, reads menus, estimates food requirements, checks production, and keeps records in order to accurately plan production requirements and requisition supplies and equipment
• May clean and sanitize work stations and equipment and must follow all regulatory rules and procedures
• Attends all allergy and foodborne illness in-service training
• Complies with all HACCP policies and procedures.
• Reports all accidents and injuries in a timely manner
• Complies with all safety and risk management policies and procedures
• Participates in regular safety meetings, safety training and hazard assessments
• Attends training programs (classroom and virtual) as designated
• May move and lift foodstuffs and supplies and prepare meals for customers requiring special diets

Job requirements:

• Education: Associate's degree (AA) or two-year equivalent preferred, but not required.
• Experience: Willingness to be open to learning and growing; maturity of judgment and behavior; maintains high standards for work areas and appearance; maintains a positive attitude; ability to work a flexible schedule helpful; must comply with any dress code requirements; must be able to work nights, weekends and some holidays; attends work and shows up for scheduled shift on time with satisfactory regularity
• Skills/Aptitude: Presents self in a highly professional manner to others and understands that honesty and ethics are essential; ability to maintain a positive attitude; ability to communicate with co-workers and other departments with professionalism and respect; maintains a professional relationship with all coworkers, vendor representatives, supervisors, managers, customers, and client representatives; ability to use a computer; good working knowledge of food preparation; requires familiarity of kitchen equipment; must be able to read and follow a recipe unsupervised
• Physical requirements: Close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus, with or without corrective lenses; significant walking or other means of mobility; ability to work in a standing position for long periods of time (up to 8 hours); ability to reach, bend, stoop, push and/or pull, and frequently lift up to 35 pounds and occasionally lift/move 40 pounds

Special working conditions: None

Please note that this role is in person based in Arlington, VA. Position will be open until filled.

Compensation/total rewards:

The hourly rate for this position is $20.50. It is competitive, market-based, and aligned with the university's financial framework, ensuring your skills and experience are recognized and rewarded. But your total compensation goes well beyond your salary. As a valued member of our team, you'll enjoy a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your health, financial security, and work-life balance. This includes medical, dental, and vision coverage; FSA or HSA; employee assistance program; life insurance; short- and long-term disability; contributions to the university's 403(b) retirement plan; financial planning; identity theft protection; pet insurance; credit union and more. Interested in continuing your education? Our tuition remission program supports your professional growth and lifelong learning, and is also open to covered dependents. On top of that, our generous paid time off plan gives you the flexibility to recharge and maintain balance in your personal and professional life.

Qualified candidates are invited to apply via our career portal by submitting a cover letter addressing their qualifications related to the information listed above, along with a resume.

Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check and employment verification, and other role related requirements such as motor vehicle and/or drug screening.