SUMMARY

The Cook prepares or assists in preparing kosher food items and must maintain high standards of food preparation, following established recipes as determined by production sheets.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Prepare assigned high quality food items in proper quantities to meet needs of residents, staff and visitors. *
  • Plan recipes to be prepared. *
  • Monitor food supplies and plan in advance, ensuring that adequate ingredients are available. Retrieve ingredients from freezer. *
  • Prepare fish, kosher meat dishes, noodle kugel, kasha and other traditional Jewish foods. *
  • Perform preparation in a manner that minimizes waste and assures portion control. *
  • Follow correct cooking methods, such as braising, for meat preparation. *
  • Assist with serving or portioning duties as assigned, using care to optimize appearance, proper temperature, portion size and sanitary conditions. *
  • Stagger production of menu items to ensure product maintains optimum quality and nutritional value. *
• Maintain and follow the sanitation and health regulations in the kitchen. *
  • Cover, label, and date all food products that require refrigeration or freezing according to established standards, and maintain safe temperatures according to HACCP guidelines. *
  • Maintain a clean and orderly kitchen and work area. Follow all safety practices. *
• Assist with catering functions, including serving duties as assigned. *
  • Plate food appropriately, following traditional Sholom format. *
  • Provide customer service to residents when serving food. *
• Identify and respond appropriately to emergency situations, such as grease spills, fires, injuries, and/or storm-related evacuations. *
• Support various other Culinary responsibilities as needed.

• Denotes essential functions of the postion.

JOB SPECIFICATIONS

Education, Experience and Credentials

• Serve Safe or equivalent food protection certificate preferred; upon hire must obtain within 30 days of hire, if not already certified.
• One-year previous cooking experience in a high volume kitchen preferred.
• Must be able to demonstrate knowledge of efficient, safe operation of ovens and kitchen equipment.
• Must have the ability to prepare food items from experience, including cooking for special diets preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong knowledge of food preparation in large quantities.
• Knowledge of materials and methods used in commercial food preparation, and the care and use of cooking utensils and equipment.
• Understand kosher dietary laws. Understand the separation of meat, dairy, and parve kitchen utensils, pots and pans, etc.
• Able to perform math calculations in the conversion of recipes.
• Excellent interpersonal skills to interact effectively with a variety of people and personalities inside and outside the organization. Able to effectively handle interactions at all levels and to respond appropriately in sensitive situations.
• Able to plan, prioritize, coordinate, and manage own work. Able to work unsupervised, make decisions and solve routine problems independently, effectively and creatively.
• Work as an effective and proactive team-player; understands the importance of supporting the organization, residents, customers and other Sholom employees.
• Able to display high levels of customer service, responding promptly and thoroughly to the inquiries and needs of individuals both internal and external to the organization in accordance with our PROUD standards.
• Detail-oriented, organized and applies effective time management skills in order to meet all deadlines. Able to successfully prioritize and manage multiple tasks and numerous projects in a fast-paced environment.
• Self-motivated, fast learner, shows initiative, willing to seek out client and staff needs and meet them.
• Able to effectively present information in one-to-one and small group situations to clients, staff and other customers.
• Able to follow Sholom safety guidelines in all duties and responsibilities.
• Able to possess knowledge of Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for chemicals used to perform functions of the job. Keep chemicals and cleaning supplies safely stored.
• Able to follow and adhere to Universal Precautions and Infection Control procedures.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS NECESSARY TO PERFORM THIS JOB

Incumbent must be able to:

• Perform medium work, frequently lifting/carrying heavy pots and bulk items weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Push/pull materials and food carts up to 50 pounds a distance of several feet.
• Hear, speak and effectively verbally communicate in the English language, including following oral and written instructions, in order to communicate with people inside and outside the organization.
• Apply manual dexterity and visual acuity for kitchen equipment use. Perform repetitive upper body and hand movements two to four hours per eight-hour shift.
• Turn, bend, stoop, kneel, squat, and reach frequently in the performance of responsibilities.
• Stand and walk eight hours during the shift.
• Visual and reading ability for close-up work, including to read recipes, detailed documents, charts and/or reports.
• Work a flexible work schedule, including overtime, nights and weekends as required including attending events/meetings as needed.

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED

Incumbent must be able to use pots, pans, knives, cooking implements and tools, serving utensils, and industrial refrigerators, freezers, stoves, ovens, and kitchen cleaning equipment.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work is primarily indoors, but physically demanding due to the kitchen environment with its heat, cold, humidity, odors, spills, and noise. There is some exposure to the outdoor environment during special cooking events. There is also exposure to chemicals used in cleaning.

This job description does not necessarily list all the functions or accountabilities of the job. Employees may be asked by management to perform additional duties and tasks. Management reserves the right to revise and update job descriptions at any time.

Sholom is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.