Prep Cook

Job Description

Job Description

Kosher Gourmet Inc is a gourmet food purveyor providing quality dietary meals for banquet hotels, including Kosher & Halal.

Responsibilities

• Prepare food ingredients and assist with cooking tasks according to established recipes, specifications, and production schedules.
• Accurately measure, portion, and assemble ingredients for menu items.
• Assist cooks with recipe preparation and batch production as needed.
• Prepare food to meet established standards for taste, texture, appearance, consistency, and quality.
• Follow standardized recipes, spec books, and production methods to ensure product consistency.
• Wrap, label, date, and properly store food products following FIFO and food safety procedures.
• Maintain clean, organized, and sanitary workstations throughout each shift.
• Follow all HACCP, ServSafe, sanitation, and food safety procedures, including temperature monitoring and required documentation.
• Maintain proper allergen control and prevent cross-contamination throughout all stages of food preparation and production.
• Follow Kosher food handling procedures and maintain product integrity in accordance with company policies and Kosher standards.
• Monitor inventory levels, report shortages, assist with stock rotation, and participate in inventory counts.
• Properly operate, clean, and maintain kitchen equipment, utensils, knives, and machinery.
• Adhere to all company safety, sanitation, and health regulations.
• Perform additional kitchen duties and special projects as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• 2–3+ years of experience in food preparation within a commercial kitchen, production kitchen, commissary, catering, banquet kitchens or similar high-volume food production environment.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Current ServSafe Food Handler Certification.
• Working knowledge of HACCP principles and food safety regulations.
• Knowledge of proper food storage, labeling, rotation (FIFO), temperature control, and sanitation procedures.
• Understanding of allergen control and cross-contamination prevention.
• Knowledge of kosher food handling procedures or willingness to learn and follow kosher production standards.
• Strong knife skills
• Ability to safely operate commercial kitchen equipment and machinery.
• Ability to read, understand, and follow recipes, specification books, and production sheets.
• Strong attention to detail with excellent organizational and multitasking abilities.
• Excellent time management skills and ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced production environment.
• Strong teamwork and communication skills.
• Ability to read, write, and speak English.
• Basic tablet/computer skills for production records and kitchen systems.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule based on production demands.
• Ability to work in refrigerated environments, walk-in coolers, and freezers as needed.
• Ability to stand for 8+ hours per shift and frequently lift, carry, push, or pull up to 50 pounds.

Preferred Qualifications

• Culinary degree or professional culinary certificate.
• ServSafe Manager Certification.
• Experience working in a USDA-inspected production facility.
• Experience with kosher food production.
• Experience with batch cooking and large-scale food production.
• Experience with inventory management and food production systems.