Cook - Community Food Co-op : Job Details

ApplyJob TypeFull-timeDescriptionWho we areWe are a community owned natural foods grocery store. We're passionate about the Co-op business model, food quality, and our community! We are driven to provide a workplace that engages our team members and raises the bar for excellent employmentpractices. We strive to create a feeling of inclusivity with all employees and customers. We look for positive people who have a passion for customer service, have fun while working hard, are self-motivated, and want to be a part of a growing team.What You'll be DoingYou will be helping feed our community by preparing and cooking the Co-op's recipes from scratch. You will be ensuring that finished products coming out of the kitchen meet the Co-op standards. Production team members are responsible for providing a welcoming and inclusive environment by offering great customer service. You will also assist with placing orders, receiving products, stocking, and maintaining displays.What You'll be Responsible for* Preparing and cooking a variety of dishes, following recipes and menu guidelines. This includes tasks such as chopping, slicing, marinating, seasoning, and mixing ingredients.* Helping develop menus or suggest new dishes based on seasonal ingredients, customer preferences, or culinary trends. Collaborating with Deli Managers to ensure menu items are prepared efficiently and consistently. Maintaining awareness of all deli promotions and advertisements.* Ensuring the quality and taste of food by monitoring cooking times, temperatures, and seasoning. Tasting and adjusting dishes as needed to meet established standards. Maintaining high standards of food presentation.* Adhering to proper food safety and sanitation practices to maintain a clean and hygienic work environment. This includes storing, handling, and disposing of food items correctly, and complying with health department regulations.* Maintaining a well-organized and clean kitchen area. Properly storing ingredients, utensils, and equipment, and ensuring their availability and functionality. Monitoring and replenishing stock levels of food items, spices, and supplies. Receiving product and/or placing orders as directed by managers.* Working efficiently to ensure timely preparation of food. Coordinating with other kitchen staff to ensure smooth operations and timely delivery of food.* Coordinating food preparation by collaborating with other kitchen staff, ensuring a cohesive team environment.* Communicating effectively to relay information, discuss menu changes, and addressing any issues that arise during shift.* Using and maintaining kitchen equipment properly, including ovens, grills, fryers, knives, and other tools, promptly reporting any equipment malfunctions or safety hazards to supervisors.* Demonstrating adaptability by adjusting to a changing menu, complying to customer requests and following kitchen procedures.* Demonstrating creativity and innovation by suggesting new dishes, flavor combinations, or presentation techniques.* Maintaining cleanliness and organization throughout the kitchen by cleaning workstations, equipment, and utensils regularly. Following cleaning schedules and assist in deep cleaning tasks as required.* May be asked to perform other front and back of house duties as needed.RequirementsQualifications* Possess a strong foundation in culinary skills is crucial for cooks. This includes knowledge of cooking techniques, such as sautéing, grilling, baking, frying, and braising. Understand flavor profiles, ingredient combinations, and cooking times.* Well-versed in food safety principles and proper hygiene practices. This includes understanding safe food handling, storage, and temperature control to prevent foodborne illnesses. Familiarity with health department regulations and guidelines and ability to maintain current food worker card is crucial.* have excellent knife skills to safely and efficiently perform tasks such as slicing, dicing, mincing, and chopping ingredients.* Effective time management skills to prioritize tasks, coordinate multiple dishes, and ensure that dishes are prepared and served in a timely manner. Attention to detail when food presenting and dish garnishing.* Ability to navigate the kitchen efficiently, locate ingredients and utensils quickly, and maintain a clean and clutter-free work area.* Ability to adhere to recipes, portion sizes, and ensure precise seasoning and cooking times.* Ability to discern flavors, season dishes appropriately, and adjust to achieve desired taste profiles.* Ability to adapt to changing circumstances, such as ingredient availability or menu modifications, should be creative in developing new recipes, experimenting with flavors, and improvising when necessary.* Ability to communicate clearly and effectively to help maintain a cohesive team, facilitate accuracy, and ensure smooth operations.* Ability to meet regular and predictable attendance and work a flexible schedule.* Able to stay calm under pressure, make quick decisions, and maintain strong management skills with focus and productivity during busy periods.* Ability to troubleshoot issues that arise during food preparation, such as ingredient substitutions, equipment malfunctions, or unexpected changes in the menu.* Ability to work early mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays.* Ability to adhere to strict cleanliness and sanitation practices to maintain a hygienic work environment. This includes proper cleaning of equipment, utensils, and workstations, as well as following sanitation guidelines for food handling and storage.Physical Requirements* Ability to spend most of their shifts on their feet, standing and moving around the kitchen.* Ability to handle moderate to heavy loads (30-50LBs) safely, such as heavy pots, pans, containers of ingredients, and kitchen equipment.* Ability to use their hands and fingers extensively in food preparation tasks, such as chopping, slicing, and dicing ingredients. Possess manual dexterity to handle knives, utensils, and small kitchen tools with precision and coordination.* Ability to handle repetitive motions, such as stirring, whisking, or flipping items on a grill or stove.* Ability to frequently bend, stoop twist and rotate body to access lower storage areas, retrieve items from refrigerators or cabinets, and clean equipment or surfaces and perform other tasks.* Ability to reach and stretch for ingredients, utensils, or equipment located at different heights in the kitchen.* Ability to tolerate high temperatures, such as when near cooking equipment and ovens, without it affecting your performance and wellbeing.* Have excellent coordination and balance when navigating a busy kitchen environment, while handling hot pans, sharp knives, and slippery surfaces, in order to avoid accidents and remain efficient.* Ability to work in moderate and loud noise environments including, but not limited to paging, telephones, human voices, music, and machinery.* Tolerance to exposure to FDA approved cleaning chemicals.* Must be at least 18 years of age.Benefits at the Co-op* Up to 25% staff discount & access to wholesale orders* Great medical/dental/vision and supplemental insurance options* 401(k) w/match* Paid time off* Pay on Demand* Potential year-end bonus* Access to employee assistance programEqual Opportunity StatementThe Community Food Co-op is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.Important DisclaimerEmployees are expected to act in the best interests of the Co-op, even if doing so requires actions or responsibilities not listed in the above job description. The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by those assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities required of this position. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Other duties may be assigned which are not considered essential and may not be listed here.Salary DescriptionStarting pay is $19.15/hr