Production Cook Lead Prep Cook Morning Shift

Production Cook / Lead Prep Cook (Morning Shift) Location: Downtown Washington, DC Pay: $21.00 - $23.00 per hour Job Type: Full-Time Schedule: Morning Shift Position (Monday - Friday, 5:00 AM - 1:00 PM). No nights, no weekends, federal holidays off. Schedules may adapt occasionally; candidates must be flexible. Position Overview We are seeking an experienced and dependable Production Cook / Lead Prep Cook to join our team in a professional dining facility located in Downtown Washington, DC. This position is responsible for supporting daily breakfast and lunch production, preparing food for hot bar and cold bar service, assisting with grab-and-go offerings, and maintaining food quality, consistency, and food safety standards. The ideal candidate has experience working in high-volume food service environments such as cafeterias, buffets, corporate dining, hotels, hospitals, universities, catering operations, or similar settings. We are looking for a team member who is organized, reliable, efficient, and takes pride in producing quality food while supporting smooth kitchen operations. Key Responsibilities Prepare breakfast and lunch menu items according to recipes and production schedules Execute daily prep lists accurately and efficiently Prepare proteins, vegetables, starches, soups, salads, sauces, and other menu items Produce food for hot bar, cold bar, grab-and-go programs, and catering functions Follow recipes, portion standards, and presentation guidelines Ensure food is prepared and ready for service on schedule Assist with daily setup and maintenance of hot bar and cold bar stations Monitor food levels throughout service and replenish as needed Maintain attractive and professional food presentation Help ensure customer demand is met while minimizing food waste Maintain freshness and quality standards throughout service Support kitchen leadership with daily production goals Follow production schedules and prep plans Receive, organize, and properly store deliveries Follow FIFO inventory rotation procedures Assist with inventory organization and product storage Maintain clean and organized workstations Support opening and closing duties as assigned Follow all food safety and sanitation procedures Maintain proper food temperatures and storage practices Assist with daily cleaning and sanitation responsibilities Maintain a clean, safe, and organized kitchen environment Help ensure the kitchen remains inspection-ready at all times Required Qualifications Minimum 2 years of professional cooking or food preparation experience Experience working in cafeterias, buffets, corporate dining, hotels, hospitals, universities, catering operations, or other high-volume food service environments preferred Experience with batch cooking and large-volume food production Strong understanding of food preparation techniques and kitchen operations Ability to follow recipes and production sheets accurately Understanding of portion control and food waste reduction Strong organizational skills and attention to detail Ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced environment Ability to stand for extended periods and lift up to 50 pounds Strong work ethic and positive attitude Attendance & Transportation Requirements This position requires dependable attendance and punctuality. Applicants must be able to consistently report to work on time for a 5:00 AM start and have reliable transportation to Downtown Washington, DC. Please carefully consider your commute before applying. Consistent attendance and punctuality are essential requirements of this position. Preferred Qualifications ServSafe Food Handler Certification Cafeteria or buffet experience Catering production experience Experience preparing food in large quantities Experience supporting hot bar and cold bar service Bilingual English/Spanish a plus What Success Looks Like Daily prep completed accurately and on time Breakfast and lunch production executed successfully Hot bar and cold bar remain stocked and visually appealing Food quality remains consistent throughout service Food waste is minimized through proper production and portioning Kitchen remains clean, organized, and efficient Strong teamwork and communication with kitchen leadership Reliable attendance and punctuality Why Join Us? Morning Shift Schedule Monday-Friday No Nights No Weekends Federal Holidays Off Stable Full-Time Hours Professional Work Environment Growth Opportunities Competitive Pay Application If you are a dependable food service professional who enjoys working in a fast-paced environment, takes pride in producing quality food, and values teamwork, consistency, and professionalism, we encourage you to apply. #J-18808-Ljbffr Watchdog Cafeteria