Lead Cook Dinner Shift

Southwestern Adventist University in Keene, TX University Overview

Founded in 1893, Southwestern Adventist University is a 501(c)(3) faith-based institution located

As the only four-year degree-granting university in the county,

Southwestern Adventist University is an important community stakeholder that links education

with action by building knowledge, increasing faith, and providing service.

University Vision

Southwestern Adventist University seeks to be a community that supports academic, spiritual,

of service.

University Mission

The University’s Mission statement is “Inspiring knowledge, faith, and service through Christ-centered education.”

Lead Cook supports daily culinary operations by preparing high-quality meals and providing hands-on leadership to cooks and student employees. This position helps coordinate production, maintain food-safety and sanitation standards, control waste, and ensure that meals are ready on time and consistent with approved menus, recipes, and the service values of Southwestern Adventist University.

This position works under the direction of the Director of Food Services and carries out established departmental procedures, menus, standards, and operational priorities.

Culinary Operations

Lead assigned meal-period production and coordinate workflow among kitchen and student staff.

Monitor food quality, appearance, temperature, and portioning throughout production and service.

Follow and reinforce food safety, sanitation, allergen, storage, labeling, and cross-contamination procedures.

Support food preparation and service for regular dining, catering, and University events.

Monitor supplies and assist with receiving, inventory, rotation, and proper food storage.

Assist with maintaining an organized, safe, sanitary, and efficient kitchen environment.

Support food and labor cost control through proper portions, batch cooking, responsible ingredient use, and waste reduction.

Maintain clean, sanitized, organized, and secure work areas, equipment, and storage spaces.

Assist with training and onboarding kitchen and student staff while modeling teamwork and professionalism.

Complete assigned opening, closing, and end-of-shift responsibilities.

Must have strongly expressed a commitment to Jesus Christ, the teachings and mission of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, be a member of the Seventh-day Adventist church in good and regular standing, and have a desire to serve in a cooperative, spiritually redemptive, and soul-winning atmosphere.

High school diploma or equivalent, or an acceptable combination of education and relevant experience.

Minimum of two years of commercial, institutional, or high-volume food-service experience.

Ability to prepare food using standardized recipes and coordinate multiple items within established service times.

Current Food Handler certification or ability to obtain certification within the required timeframe.

Ability to communicate effectively, follow written and verbal instructions, perform basic food-production calculations, and maintain required records.

Culinary training, ServSafe Manager certification, or comparable food-safety credentials.

Experience in institutional dining, higher education, catering, vegetarian cuisine, or special-diet preparation.

Experience training or directing student or entry-level employees.

Knowledge of commercial cooking methods, kitchen equipment, sanitation, food safety, and allergen controls.

Commitment to quality service and support of Southwestern Adventist University’s Christian mission and community standards. Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced food service environment and remain on feet for extended periods.

Job Conditions: This position requires working indoors and occasionally outdoors, with exposure to varying temperatures.

Work Environment : Fast-paced food service environment with exposure to heat, cold, noise, wet surfaces, food preparation equipment, and frequent interaction with employees, students, and guests.

Work Hours: Flexible work schedule based on the operational needs of the cafeteria, including occasional evenings, weekends, holidays, and special events as required .

Ability to independently lift and carry up to 20 pounds and perform routine physical activities associated with the position, including prolonged sitting or standing, walking, bending, stooping, reaching, grasping, and repetitive hand movements.

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the position’s essential functions.

This job description is not intended to be complete or limiting - the role will require a proactive and flexible approach to be successful.

Southwestern Adventist University complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.

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