Cook

About the role

Prepares recipes and menu items for meals served to Parkland patients, café customers, and catered events. Prepares 'made-to-order' entrees on café serving lines.

Requirements

• Must have a High School diploma or GED.
• Must have six months of experience as a cook or a graduate of a culinary school, an assistant cook in hospital foodservice, restaurant, or institutional cooking of a comparable nature.
• Must have a certificate of completion of a food handler training course accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and/or the Texas Department of State Health Services (TXDSHS) or must obtain one within sixty (60) days of placement in the role.

Skills

• Must be familiar with a variety of foods, seasonings, recipe procedures, ingredient measurements, and knowledge of time estimates for food preparation.
• Must have proficient knowledge of the use and care of institutional kitchen equipment, including ovens, steamers, grills, fryers, slicers, braising pans, etc.
• Must have good customer service skills.
• Must be able to read and follow recipe instructions and food production guides and communicate effectively with departmental personnel.

Responsibilities

• Follows correct preparation techniques in preparing food items for Parkland patients, café customers, and catered events.
• Assembles recipes, follows production work sheets, and prepares required types and quantities of menu items to meet patient and customer meal service needs.
• Follows correct work processes and kitchen workflow.
• Implements appropriate changes to improve effectiveness, productivity, and efficiency that support the overall goals of the Hospital and Parkland.
• Reads and follows recipes and production guides accurately.
• Notifies production management staff of problems with recipes or recipe ingredients.
• Provides direction to assistant cooks and other assigned personnel in the preparation of recipes and use of production equipment.
• Assures the safe and sanitary operation of all quantity food production equipment, follows food sanitation guidelines, and safe food handling techniques.
• Serves in the capacity of cook on service lines with made-to-order entrees, including the grill line, pasta line, Chef's Choice line, and deli.
• Notifies supervisors of customer service issues to ensure that quality meal services are maintained.
• Serves as a relief person for emergency backup to the kitchen preparation and production staff to ensure satisfactory levels of food preparation and production are maintained.

Qualifications

Equivalent Education And/or Experience May have an equivalent combination of education and/or experience in lieu of specific experience as stated above.

Job Accountabilities

• Identifies ways to improve work processes and improve customer satisfaction.
• Makes recommendations to supervisor, implements, and monitors results as appropriate in support of the overall goals of the department and Parkland.
• Stays abreast of the latest developments, advancements, and trends in the field by attending seminars/workshops, reading professional journals, actively participating in professional organizations, and/or maintaining certification or licensure.
• Integrates knowledge gained into current work practices.
• Maintains knowledge of applicable rules, regulations, policies, laws, and guidelines that impact the area.
• Develops effective internal controls designed to promote adherence with applicable laws, accreditation agency requirements, and federal, state, and private health plans.
• Seeks advice and guidance as needed to ensure proper understanding.