Cook

Responsibilities

• Prepare and serve meals in a timely and cost-effective manner using menus, dietary guidelines, and logistical information
• Apply best practices in food safety, sanitation, and health code compliance to ensure a safe dining environment
• Determine appropriate portion sizes based on age groups, program needs, and consumption patterns to ensure excellent service while minimizing waste and controlling costs
• Utilize a full range of cooking methods—including baking, broiling, sautéing, braising, grilling, frying, roasting, and steaming—appropriately and consistently
• Support food ordering, inventory control, and proper storage practices as assigned
• Communicate openly, professionally, and warmly with TSS staff, graduate students, AmeriCorps members, and program participants
• Contribute to a positive dining experience that reflects TSS’s commitment to hospitality, care, and community
• Support and steward systems and practices that advance environmentally and socially responsible food service operations
• Collaborate with kitchen and program teams to continuously improve efficiency, sustainability, and service quality

Qualifications

• ServSafe Certification (required or ability to obtain)
• First Aid, CPR, and AED Certification (required or ability to obtain)
• Experience in a commercial kitchen, preferably with high-volume meal preparation
• Demonstrated proficiency across a wide range of cooking methods and culinary techniques
• Working knowledge of food preparation, safe food handling, inventory control, and culinary math (weights, measurements, and scaling recipes)
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to work both independently and as part of a collaborative team
• Willingness to take initiative, solve problems, and manage multiple tasks calmly and effectively
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in education and the workplace
• Proficiency with digital communication tools, including Google Workspace (Drive, Docs, etc.)