Cook

General Function

Prepares a wide variety of foods in large volume production quantities. Assists in providing guidance to other employees in the performance of their duties. Responsible for preparing and/or directing the preparation of food to be served complying with all applicable sanitation, health, and personal hygiene standards while following established food production programs and procedures.

Characteristic Duties and Responsibilities—Essential Functions

  • Operates standard institutional cooking and food preparation equipment in the preparation of food serving.
  • Prepares, cooks and coordinates the preparation of hot and cold menu items by following standard recipes, production specifications and scheduled serving times.
  • Coordinates efficient work flow and instructs others in the proper use of equipment and utensils.
  • Maintains records of work performed, food temperatures and ingredients used, prep lists, SLWS, yield reports and recipe modification documentation; performs basic mathematical calculations and records information as needed.
  • Maintains clean and sanitary work, kitchen and dining areas and observes strict safety rules.
  • Maintains all food items at proper temperatures as instructed; follows the Ohio Revised Food Code for food safety to maintain health and sanitation standards.
  • Maintains surfaces, utensils, and equipment in a clean and serviceable condition.
  • Responds to client requests for service, special diets, as well as other information in a friendly, professional and helpful manner.
  • Maintains high quality of food prepared and served (including timed and batch cooking principles) to assure products are ready for continuous service.
  • Assists with providing guidance and training for the Assistant Cooks. May instruct Assistant Cooks in proper use and care of institutional cooking and food preparation and equipment.
  • Performs other related duties as required or assigned.

Reporting Relationships

Direction Received: Executive/General Manager, Corporate/Executive Chef; Assistant Manager; Food Production Leader, Student Manager

Direction Given: Assistant Cook, Food Service Assistant, and student staff

Minimum Requirements

  • High School diploma or GED
  • One year cooking experience in a full service operation or two years experience in other food service operation
  • Successful completion of the department's Culinary Training Program or comparable training experience within two years of hire/promotion
  • Current level 1 Food Safety Protection Certification, or ability to obtain the Level 1 Food Safety Certification within 4 weeks of hire/promotion
  • Ability to pass POPE physical up to 50 lbs.
  • Abilities to exert well-paced mobility for periods of up to 4 hours and other listed under working conditions
  • Knowledge of commercial kitchen equipment proper usage, including knives

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Worker Characteristics

  • Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide whole numbers
  • Ability to work with ratios
  • Ability to read and write simple sentences (including recipes, labels, schedules and memos)
  • Knowledge of basic food preparation techniques including sautéing, display cooking, deep frying, grilling, roasting, baking and steaming
  • Ability to weigh and measure ingredients
  • Ability to properly use knives and standard kitchen equipment
  • Knowledge of storage and handling
  • Ability to understand and follow directions
  • Ability to communicate information so others will understand
  • Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer services, including meeting quality standards and evaluation of those standards
  • Ability to prioritize and work independently with appropriate amount of supervision
  • Must be able to evaluate information to determine compliance with standards, provide information to supervisors, coworkers and subordinates
  • Ability to inspect equipment or materials to identify the cause of problems or defects
  • Ability to develop specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, accomplish work and meet deadlines
  • Ability to analyze information and evaluate results to choose the best solution and solve problems

Working Conditions

Constant standing. Frequent stooping, pushing, pulling, walking and simple grasping. Occasional bending, squatting, twisting, and use of motor skills that require firm grasping, and fine manipulation. Minimal sitting and climbing. Occasional lifting of up to 50 pounds. Minimal lifting of and carrying/transporting materials weighing up to 35 pounds. Minimal overhead lifting up to 25 pounds.

Ability to work in high or low temperatures. Some element of personal risk due to hot surfaces, wet surfaces, greasy surfaces and cutting equipment.

Preferred Requirements

  • High School diploma or GED
  • Food Safety Level 2 Certification
  • Certificate or Degree from a Culinary Arts Program
  • Ability to taste, smell, and visually differentiate colors
  • Ability to read, write, and clearly communicate English

Please note: The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the types of duties and responsibilities that will be required of positions given this title and shall not be construed as a declaration of the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular positions. Employees may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description. For jobs occupied by more than one employee, the identification of non-essential functions shall be determined from the individual’s position description.

Functional Title

Cook

Job Code

1002-CA220

Classification Series

Housing, Dining, Recreation and Business Services

Band/Zone

F1

Department

Housing, Dining, Recreation and Business Services

FLSA

Non exempt

Last Updated

March 2018