Cook (Limited Pool)

About the role

The University of California, Merced is seeking a Cook to perform journeyman level food preparation duties in a campus kitchen. This position trains and leads Assistant Cooks and Food Service Workers, and interacts with both internal and external customers.

Responsibilities

• Cook all food assigned to standards of excellent taste, quality & appearance.
• Prepare food from scratch including entrees, starches, vegetables, gravies & sauces, soups, breads, desserts & other dishes.
• Multi-task and perform pre & post-production responsibilities.
• Guide food preparation & service duties to kitchen support staff & provide training & support to less experienced staff.
• Interact with internal & external customers by demonstrating professionalism, enthusiasm & integrity.
• Sort waste for recycling & pre/post-consumer composting.

Requirements

• High school diploma and/or equivalent certification/experience/training.
• Three years of experience in food preparation and general experience of a kitchen area, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Previous Food Handler Certification (preferred).

Skills

• Excellent customer service skills to cooperate with public and other staff members and convey a helpful, positive attitude.
• Communication skills to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships.
• Culinary experience and/or equivalent training in a high-volume, industrial culinary environment.
• Knowledge of cuisines from varying customer bases, including Regional American, Asian, Italian, Mexican, Vegetarian, and Vegan.
• Problem-solving skills to troubleshoot problems as they arise, find alternate solutions, and implement.
• Knowledge of proper procedures for lifting, and handling broken glass.
• Success in completing Sanitation/Food food-borne illness prevention (HACCP) within 90 days of start, annual renewal.

Qualifications

• Education and Experience: High school diploma and/or equivalent certification/experience/training. Three years of experience in food preparation and general experience of a kitchen area, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• CRITICAL KNOWLEDGE and SKILLS: Excellent customer service skills to cooperate with public and other staff members and convey a helpful, positive attitude, Interpersonal skills to work effectively with and provide excellent customer service to a diverse campus Community. Communication skills to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships. Culinary experience and/or equivalent training in a high-volume, industrial culinary environment. Experience with culinary techniques, including but not limited to: sautéing, grilling, frying, steaming, and preparing sauces and stocks. Skill to taste and discern; product quality, read and interpret recipes and menus, estimate ingredient requirements, check production and keep records to accurately plan production requirements and request supplies and equipment. Skill to prepare complex recipes and perform multiple tasks simultaneously. Knowledge of cuisines from varying customer bases, including Regional American, Asian, Italian, Mexican, Vegetarian, and Vegan. Ability to work with Nutrition Services and execute culinary and nutritional requirements for special diets (vegan, gluten-free, kosher, etc.). Skill to check recipes, recognize problems, and make corrections as needed. Skill to guide a wide range of tasks to student assistants and kitchen support staff. (Lead food service workers) Skill to differentiate products' composition, biodegradability, nutrition, etc. Problem-solving skills to troubleshoot problems as they arise, find alternate solutions, and implement. Knowledge of proper procedures for lifting, and handling broken glass and skill to use wet floor signs when mopping floors or cleaning up spills. Skill to verify proper concentration of sanitized solution using test strips. Successful completion of Sanitation/Food food-borne illness prevention (HACCP) within 90 days of start, annual renewal. Ability to read, write, and perform basic arithmetic calculations.