Contracted Meals Kitchen Assistant

Overview

In an atmosphere of dignity and respect, Inspiration Corporation connects people and creates opportunity through access to social services, job training, housing, and food. Each year, Inspiration Corporation works with hundreds of resilient Chicagoans who face systemic disparities and inequities, such as homelessness, hunger, and social isolation.

To help individuals and families overcome these barriers, we provide dedicated support coupled with housing, job training, scholarships, meals and engagement services. Inspiration Corporation meets people where they are in life, helping them access the support they need and achieve their personal goals. Inspiration Corporation programs are voluntary, and all service needs and goals are participant-driven. Our case management philosophy is strengths-based and trauma-informed. Inspiration Corporation practices harm reduction and focuses on reducing or minimizing the harm associated with high-risk behavior through motivational interviewing.

Inspiration Kitchens is the social enterprise restaurant, catering and foodservice training and employment program of Inspiration Corporation. The restaurant prepares contemporary American cuisine and is top-rated in the Chicagoland community (4+ stars on Yelp, featured on Check Please!). Inspiration Kitchens’ culinary skills job training program for low-income job seekers equips participants with basic culinary, sanitation and restaurant operations skills and offers participants paid, on-the-job experience. Revenue from Inspiration Kitchens’ restaurant and catering helps to support the larger goals of Inspiration Corporation and its mission.

At Inspiration Corporation, employees embody our mission by demonstrating the following Core Values:

• Integrity – We cultivate trusting, collaborative relationships rooted in mutual respect and accountability.
• Growth – We encourage personal development, curiosity and being open to new possibilities.
• Equity – We recognize each person’s inherent rights and advocate for inclusive access to resources and opportunities.
• Resilience – We persevere and seek solutions that celebrate our strength in the face of adversity, while practicing and encouraging self-care.
• Hospitality – We create uplifting, accepting, and nourishing connections with everyone who comes through our doors.

Position Summary

The Contracted Meals Kitchen Assistant is vital to the success of the agency’s catering services to provide contracted meals. The position reports to the Contracted Meals Chef and supports preparation, production, packaging and delivery of up to 1,500 daily meals to the Shelter Placement and Resource Center (SPARC). Daily meal production is breakfast, lunch, and dinner, on a 7 day-a-week basis, including holidays.

General Duties

• Demonstrate Inspiration Corporation’s Core Values.
• Uphold Policies and Procedures of Inspiration Corporation and Inspiration Kitchens.
• Exhibit professionalism and high standards in all aspects of performance.
• Maintain a safe environment inside kitchen and throughout facility.
• Be proactive in approach to pest control with guidance from supervisor.
• Follow health, safety, and sanitation guidelines for all products.
• Attend required trainings and department and agency meetings.
• Perform other duties assigned by Contracted Meals Chef or Manager on Duty to support program operations.

Meal Handling & Preparation

• Review daily prep sheets and recipes from the Contracted Meals Chef and organize tasks to support meal production and packaging.
• Prepare food, including cleaning and cutting ingredients, and cook food according to recipes provided; assemble cold sandwiches per instruction.
• Ensure meals are correctly portioned, labeled, and packaged according to guidelines and service expectations and ready to transport and be distributed safely and efficiently.
• Reheat or finish meals as needed using on-site kitchen equipment before delivery.
• Verify meal accuracy and presentation with the Contracted Meals Chef or Manager on Duty and Driver prior to delivery.
• Follow standards for merchandising, inventory, stocking, rotating, and storing all products.

Sanitation & Food Safety

• Maintain cleanliness and order in kitchen, storage, and prep areas.
• Follow food handling and sanitation protocols to ensure health code compliance.
• Participate in training sessions related to food handling.
• Absist with dishwashing, surface cleaning, and end-of-shift sanitation.

Team Coordination & Communication

• Support Contracted Meals Chef and other team members.
• Report supply needs, equipment issues, or delivery discrepancies.
• Support meal distribution setup and clean-up as scheduled.
• Loading and delivering meals as needed.

Food Recovery & Sustainability (Supportive Role)

• Support and assist with coordinating and organizing recovered food from partners, including Green City Market.
• Help record weights and types of donated goods to maintain accurate donation data.
• Support proper storage, rotation, and organization of recovered items to ensure freshness and food safety.