Cook II

Kitchen Manager

Upper Crust Food Service is a premier hospitality partner delivering high-end, chef-driven dining solutions to over 750+ partners nationwide. While our footprint is expansive, we have intentionally maintained a culture that is small enough to care deeply to our employees and clients. We deliver elevated restaurant-quality culinary experiences, and a hospitality-first culture. At Upper Crust, we believe that great food is the cornerstone of the student experience, and we empower our leadership teams to run their accounts with the entrepreneurial spirit of a boutique restaurant, backed by the robust resources of a national industry leader.

Responsible for food preparation, organization, and daily kitchen operations of the assigned kitchen workstation in alignment with Upper Crust Food Service's commitment to fresh, made-from-scratch food and outstanding hospitality. This role oversees and supervises 5-15 employees (cooks, dishwasher, student-workers).

Responsible for preparation and production of menu items following standardized recipes and procedures.

• Prepare hot food, soups, sauces, proteins, starches, and vegetables.
• Ensure meals during meal service adhere to standardized portions.
• Butcher meats, fish, and poultry for production.

Maintain efficient standards of operation and time preparation to meet service schedules; ensure that food reaches serving lines at proper temperatures.

• Regularly complete and record food temperature checks.
• Set steam table; serve or ensure proper serving of hot food in dining area.
• Store food properly and safely, marking the date and item per company policy and local health regulations.
• Clean and maintain equipment in food preparation areas.
• Assist in training kitchen stewards and cooks.
• Represent Upper Crust Food Service with clients, including student members, corporate headquarters, local alumni, and house directors or property managers daily.

Comply with all management, client, local, and state sanitation standards, personal hygiene, and health standards.

• May be required to perform deep cleaning assignments as directed by supervisor, Chef, and/or Dir. Of Dining Services.
• May be required to assist on other workstations, dish pit, and/or caf attendant stand during the absence of other staff.

Competencies

• Client Focus
• Collaboration
• Time Management
• Organization

Supervisor Responsibility

This position carries direct supervisory responsibility for a team of 515 employees, including prep cooks, line cooks, kitchen stewards, caf attendant (student workers).

• Assign daily workstation responsibilities and ensure adequate coverage for each meal period.
• Provide on-the-floor coaching, feedback, and training to direct reports.
• Monitor team performance against production schedules, portion standards, and food safety requirements.
• Communicate staffing concerns, performance issues, and scheduling conflicts to the Dir. Of Dining Services.
• Support onboarding of new kitchen staff and reinforce UCFS standards and expectations.
• Foster a collaborative, respectful kitchen culture consistent with UCFS values.

Position Type / Expected Hours of Work

• Reliable work Monday-Friday 10am- 6pm with occasional weekends as needed for catering events
• Included supervisory duties as listed on attachment

Work Environment

This role operates in a kitchen environment equipped with ovens, stoves, dishwashers, slicers, coffee machines, steamers, mixers, and chef's knives. The employee is frequently exposed to heat, steam, fire, and noise.

Physical Demands

• The employee is occasionally required to sit, stand, reach, lift, bend, kneel, stoop, climb, push, and pull items weighing 30 pounds or less.
• The employee is required to stand for extended periods of time.
• The position requires the ability to follow written and oral instructions and procedures.

Required Education and Experience

Three years of experience working in a professional kitchen or restaurant environment as a prep/line cook.

Three years of customer service experience. Preferred: High school diploma.

Additional Eligibility Requirements

Ability to obtain and maintain any applicable licenses and certifications (e.g., state sanitation license).

Must adhere to policies and procedures set forth in the Upper Crust Food Service employee handbook.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.