COOK

Duties
Prepares and cooks a variety of menu items including hamburgers, grilled sandwiches, eggs, quick meals, cold sandwiches and salads. Grills steaks, chops, poultry, pancakes, bacon, sausage, etc., by watching while the items are cooking, turning as required and removing when done. Prepares and cooks fresh, frozen or canned vegetables and fruits for serving as directed. Prepares desserts, juices, and other items as directed by higher-grade cooks. Places cooked food in serving dishes, steam carts and food trucks. Washes and cleans kitchen equipment. Maintains assigned area in a neat and orderly manner and in compliance with fire, safety, sanitation and security regulations. Maintains rotation of food inventories to prevent spoilage. Maintains proper temperature for all foods during holding, transport, reheating, and serving to assure quality control and food safety. Covers, dates and properly stores all food items at the close of business or shift. Verifies and stores food supplies properly. May be required to assist with monthly and mid-monthly food and beverage products inventories.

Provides World Class Customer Service with an emphasis on courtesy. Assists customers and communicates positively in a friendly manner. Takes action to solve problems quickly. Alerts the higher-level supervisor, or proper point of contact for help when problems arise. Adheres to safety regulations and standards. Promptly reports any observed workplace hazards, and any injury, occupational illness, and/or property damage resulting from workplace mishaps to the immediate supervisor. Adheres to established standards of actively supporting the principles of the EEO program and prevention of sexual harassment.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

Receives work assignments orally and/or writing from supervisor, higher-grade cook, schedule or cook’s worksheet. Normally a higher-grade cook or supervisor is available to answer questions and to ensure that work is being done properly. May work without supervision for short periods.

Required to lift and move objects, and stand and walk constantly. Lifts and carries objects up to 45 lbs independently and objects over 45 lbs with assistance.

Exposed to warm and noisy kitchens, steam, fumes and cooking odors; danger of falling on freshly mopped floors; burns from steam or hot foods; cuts from knives; shocks from electrical machines; and extremes in temperatures.

Qualifications
Basic knowledge of food preparation principles and a practical understanding of the physical changes that occur during the processing and cooking of food. Ability to follow oral and written instructions, i.e., cookbooks, menus and schedules. Ability to work safely, i.e., use knife properly to avoid cuts, be alert to open jets or escaping gas when grilling. Knowledge of food service equipment sufficient to operate and clean electrical food choppers, slicers, shredders, grinders and mixers. Ability to evaluate a variety of raw and cooked food items to ascertain their freshness. Knowledge of principles of food spoilage, food borne illness and food safety. Ability to decide when the foods cooked are done without overcooking. Ability to season foods according to set procedures. Ability to obtain a Food Handlers Card.