Kitchen Assistant (Cook)

About Us

At Food2You Maplewood Inc, we believe that the food we serve is more than just a meal. Our kitchen is a culinary arts studio where flavors and nutrition come together to create meals that kids will love and parents trust. We take pride in providing delicious, nutritious meals to infants and preschoolers in kindergartens across the Chicago land. Our passionate team is committed to making a positive impact on the lives of children through food.

About the Role

The Kitchen Assistant / Cook supports daily food production operations for the catering company by preparing ingredients, cooking menu items, maintaining food safety standards, and ensuring a clean and organized kitchen environment. This role is structured across multiple skill levels to support growth, accountability, and leadership development within the kitchen team. All levels are responsible for upholding company standards for quality, food safety, sanitation, and teamwork, with increasing responsibility and independence at higher levels.

Responsibilities

Entry Level Cook

• Operational:
  • Follows recipes and production sheets accurately
  • Prepares ingredients (washing, chopping, portioning)
  • Uses basic kitchen equipment safely
  • Works under direct supervision
  • Maintains a clean and organized workstation
• Food Safety:
  • Demonstrates basic food safety and hygiene knowledge
  • Practices proper handwashing and glove use
  • Understands cross-contamination basics
  • Knows the temperature danger zone (high-level understanding)
  • Follows cleaning and sanitation procedures
• Behavioral:
  • Reliable attendance and punctuality
  • Willing to learn and accept feedback
  • Team-oriented and cooperative

Mid / Skilled Level Cook

• Operational:
  • Independently executes assigned production tasks
  • Prepares menu items with minimal supervision
  • Adjusts quantities and follows batch recipes accurately
  • Supports daily production flow and timelines
  • Assists with training entry-level staff
• Food Safety:
  • Applies proper cooking, cooling, and holding temperatures
  • Understands allergen controls (critical for child-focused menus)
  • Identifies and reports food safety concerns promptly
  • Completes production records and temperature logs correctly
• Behavioral:
  • Demonstrates consistent and dependable performance
  • Takes ownership of assigned production areas
  • Problem-solves within a defined scope

Junior Level Cook

• Operational:
  • Leads production for assigned menu components or stations
  • Coordinates workflow with other cooks to ensure efficiency
  • Ensures accuracy, quality, and timeliness of output
  • Troubleshoots minor production issues
  • Supports onboarding and coaching of newer team members
  • Acts as a reliable backup for senior staff
• Food Safety:
  • Demonstrates strong understanding of SOPs and food safety standards
  • Verifies temperatures and documentation for assigned areas
  • Ensures allergen controls and sanitation practices are followed
  • Identifies risks and escalates concerns appropriately
  • Models proper food safety behaviors consistently
• Behavioral:
  • Demonstrates leadership through example
  • Maintains composure in fast-paced environments
  • Communicates effectively across shifts and teams
  • Shows readiness for increased responsibility

Senior Level Cook

• Operational:
  • Oversees daily production execution
  • Plans workflow and assigns tasks based on production volume and staffing
  • Ensures menus are executed to standard and on schedule
  • Supports supervisors with planning, troubleshooting, and problem-solving
  • Leads training, coaching, and skill development initiatives
  • Serves as point person for kitchen execution
• Food Safety:
  • Demonstrates strong working knowledge of HACCP principles
  • Ensures compliance with all sanitation and food safety standards
  • Reviews logs, verifies corrective actions, and ensures proper follow-up
  • Leads by example in promoting a strong food safety culture
  • Prepares the kitchen for audits, inspections, and internal reviews
• Behavioral:
  • Exhibits strong leadership presence and accountability
  • Coaches and mentors team members effectively
  • Takes ownership of results, standards, and outcomes
  • Demonstrates sound judgment and decision-making
  • Aligns daily execution with company expectations and values

Requirements

• Positive attitude and passion for working in a mission-driven company
• Ability to adapt to changes that the operation requires
• Familiarity with basic food safety standards (training will be provided)
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds
• Good communication and interpersonal skills
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) is a plus
• Flexibility to work early morning hours and adapt to scheduling changes

Benefits

• Be part of a team that loves what they do and is passionate about serving nutritious meals to children
• Opportunities for career growth and development
• Flexible working hours and a supportive, inclusive work environment
• Competitive salary with comprehensive benefits, including health, dental, and wellness programs
• Monday – Friday schedule; weekends off
• Free gym membership as part of our benefits package

Our Values

At Food2You Maple Inc, we are more than a catering company—we are a team of culinary artists who care about making a difference in the lives of children. We are proud to be a diverse, inclusive workplace where everyone’s contributions are valued.