Shelter Kitchen Specialist: part- time

About the role

Join the NVFS Family: As the Shelter Kitchen Specialist, you will prepare and serve nutritious meals to shelter guests while supporting daily kitchen operations. Access to nutritious meals is critical to the well-being and dignity of the individuals and families we serve. In this role, you help create a safe, welcoming environment while directly supporting the health and stability of shelter residents and advancing the NVFS mission.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement weekly rotating kitchen menus based on ingredients available with an emphasis on preparing nutritional, well-balanced and well-presented meals.
• Ensure adherence to CACFP guidelines in meal planning and menu preparation.
• Coordinate and collaborate with shelter and Hunger Resource Center (HRC) staff to ensure availability and maintenance of inventory and supplies for nutritious meals.
• “Shop” for and transport food supplies from HRC to kitchen regularly.
• Perform food preparation and cook food in quantities according to the menu and number of persons to be served (70-90 people at any given time); this includes continental-style breakfast and cooked lunch, or dinner daily (dependent upon your shift hours).
• Ensure high levels of guest satisfaction.
• Must be able to accommodate specific dietary needs and special requests.
• Ensure there are meals for weekends and days off; always have a contingency plan.
• Maintain a system of accountability for record of food and meal counts.
• Follow emergency contingency plan to include preparedness for extreme weather conditions, loss of power, etc.
• Identify and work with management on reviewing administrative areas that are affecting operations efficiency, service delivery, and the fiscal integrity of the program.
• Keep apprised of food service guidelines (USDA, federal/state/local health regulations, etc.) to ensure operations meet compliance.
• Work collaboratively and effectively with volunteers assigned to work in the kitchen area.
• Maintain tables, utensils, equipment, serving area, and kitchen workspaces in a sanitary manner.
• Maintain safety standards throughout all food preparation and storage areas.
• Maintain a system for food and produce inventory and rotation.
• Clearly label meals in refrigerator by date and mealtime.
• Participate in regular supervision with supervisor by providing regular updates.
• Maintain current level of knowledge on program software and other information on food handling and preparation.

Requirements

• Demonstrated experience in food preparation and safety, catering and handling in a high volume commercial or