Cook

Cook

Major duties may include, but are not limited to: Food Preparation

• Works independently to prepare and cook a variety of items including regular and therapeutic diet (diabetic, low sodium, low protein, gluten free, etc.) entrees and dessert items.
• Follows menus, production sheets and recipes to prepare items in the quantity needed.
• Cooks hot cereals, concentrated or dehydrated soups, sauces, gravies.- Grills eggs, hamburgers, meat patties, pancakes, French toast; makes cold sandwich fillings and assembles a variety of sandwiches.- Uses a variety of methods to prepare meats, fish, and poultry including broiling, roasting, baking, frying, boiling, steaming, stewing, braising, and grilling.
• Slices meat items by hand confirming to specific size requirements or weight specifications.
• Prepares fresh, canned, and frozen vegetables; bakes frozen potatoes, pre-made cookie dough, muffin batters.
• Prepares and heats convenience items; prepares pureed foods and adjusts consistency with thickeners.- Washes, peels and cuts fruits and vegetables by hand or machine.
• Assembles and mixes salad ingredients and dessert items including gelatin molds and fruit crisps.
• Plans cooking processes to produce complete meals on time and at the proper temperature which may require coordination of cooking several items with different cooking times.
• Attractively presents and garnishes food.
• Makes a variety of desserts such as cobblers, brownies, cookies and pastries.
• Washes, peels, chops, grinds, pares, cuts, slices, dices, purees, dredges, flours, breads items.
• Weighs, measures, assembles ingredients for regular and modified diets.
• Combines ingredients according to recipes to produce quality food items, minimizing preparation time and food waste.
• Pans foods for bulk prethermalization according to recipe guidelines and production guidelines.- Covers, dates, and stores leftovers according to established local policies/procedures.
• Operates a variety of kitchen equipment: oven, combi oven/steamer, grill, slicer, mixer, steam kettles, blender, food processor, scale; follows safety procedures regarding the operation of equipment.
• Gathers test data to assist management in making purchasing and menu pricing decisions.

Food Safety/Sanitation

• Follows sanitary food handling procedures; covers, labels and dates food items; utilize or discard ingredients by expiration date.
• Disassembles and assembles component parts and accessories for cleaning.
• Cleans, stores and maintains all kitchen utensils, equipment and work areas practicing a "clean as you go" concept.
• Cleans and sanitizes assigned work areas: worktables, sinks, blast chillers, racks, carts.
• Achieves certification in food safety such as SERV Safe and is able to apply knowledge of food safety, food temperatures, etc.
• Operates dish machine; checks detergent level and water temperature before washing and sanitizing cook's equipment.
• Checks equipment to make sure it is free of food residue and soap.
• Cleans ovens, combi oven/steamer, slicer, mixer, steam kettles, grill daily.
• Collects trash, sorts, and prepares items for recycling.
• Cleans floors, walls, shelves as assigned.
• Performs deep cleaning tasks such as cleaning walk-in refrigerators and freezers.
• May operate powered floor cleaning or steam equipment for deep cleaning.
• Prepares food production worksheets from computerized recipe files.

Food Storage

• Receives, rotates, and stores perishable and non-perishable items according to service policies.
• Removes outdated or damaged goods from stock.
• Labels all food items with contents and dates per labeling guidelines.
• Weighs, measures, and assembles ingredients accurately and according to standardized recipes or requisitions.
• Monitor and maintain proper spacing of food products from floor, ceiling and shelving to ensure adequate air flow and spacing of products for optimal food safety.
• Monitor for signs of pest notifying the appropriate individual as determined by your local policy.
• Maintain accurate food inventories.
• Provides assistance to supervisor or higher-grade worker in ordering food in accordance with daily and weekly menu requirements.
• Maintains strict security of all areas.

Work Schedule: Based on the needs of the service. Will be discussed during hiring.

Position Description Title/PD#: Cook/PD99818S

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized