The Kitchen Cook II

JOB SUMMARY

Responsible for maintenance, set up, food production and quality control of all meat, fish, fowl, and other food items prepared in the kitchen. Maintain organization, cleanliness and sanitation of work areas and equipment. This role is critical to maintaining the luxury standard and reputation of The Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa while upholding the highest levels of discretion and professionalism.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Prepares all foods in accordance with standard recipes. Visually inspects, selects, and uses only food items of the highest quality in the preparation of all menu items.
• Checks and controls the proper storage of product and portion control including food rotation.
• Keeps all refrigeration, storage and working areas in clean working condition to comply with health department and hotel regulations.
• Ensures all equipment is clean and in proper working condition.
• Reads and employs basic math skills to appropriately prepare items according to recipes.
• Other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS 

• Must have 1-3 years cooking experience in an upscale restaurant and/or hotel / Club.
• Good working knowledge on the fundamentals of sauté, broiler, fry cooking and cold preparation
• Good working knowledge of accepted standards of sanitation.
• Knowledge of operating all kitchen equipment, i.e., stoves, ovens, broilers, slicers, steamers, kettles, etc.
• Ability to read, write and understand the English language in order to read tickets, recipes and communicate with other employees.
• Ability to perform duties within extreme temperature ranges.
• This position requires a highly motivated, organized individual who communicates, cooperates, and can adapt to changing situations. Furthermore, must show control and patience to ensure a positive and efficient crew.

PHYSICAL JOB REQUIREMENTS

Must be able to meet the following minimum physical requirements for at least an eight-hour shift:

• Physical Stamina: Frequent standing, walking, climbing of ladders and stairs, kneeling, reaching overhead, lifting and carrying various objects weighing up to 30 lbs. Employees in this position will be required to work in a fast-paced kitchen environment, where there is typically a moderate to loud noise level, work is performed in extreme temperatures, and floors surfaces may be slick.
• Hearing / Speech: Must be able to effectively engage in one-on-one communication with guests, members, and customers and use a 2-way radio to communicate clearly and accurately with co-workers.
• Vision: Must be able to accurately read instructions, reports, and log sheets. Must be able to work with computers and PDAs in varying light conditions.
• Literacy: Must be able to produce, read and understand reports, including security, incident and police reports. Must be able to analyze and process written information from a variety of sources and effectively communicate content of reports.
• Chemicals/Agents: Must be able to work safely with chemicals according to SDS sheets and all applicable laws, codes and regulatory requirements.