Food Service Cook - Houston County School System

Reports to: Cafeteria Manager

Job Functions and Responsibilities

• Food Service Cooks assist in implementing the assigned school meal program.
• Under general direction, the Food Service Cook plans, prepares, cooks, and serves meals to students, clients, and staff in a cafeteria setting; performs other job-related duties as required.
• Follows the cafeteria manager's instruction in producing and serving food to meet federal and state nutritional standards.
• Operate, maintain and clean equipment, machinery and appliances (i.e., chopper, grinder, slicer, mixer, oven, stove, tilting skillet, steamer, freezer, food warmer steam table).
• Maintains high standards of safety and sanitation in the work environment; follows the guidelines of our HACCP policy. Checking and recording temperatures as required.
• Prepares food according to planned menus and follows standardized recipes closely.
• Ensures cafeteria areas are clean, sanitized, and ready for the next day's activities. Ensures leftover food is discarded or dated, and clean-up and sanitation work is completed.
• Assists in receiving items ordered; inspects food for freshness, quality, and quantity; rotates food in storage before stacking in refrigerator and storage areas; and notes dates on food received.
• Supports lunch through such activities as batch cooking, working on the serving line or cashiering. Must be familiar with computer software. In the absence of a manager or assistant manager, you could be used as a backup cashier.
• Must attend in-services when notified by the manager.

Qualifications

General Knowledge

• Knowledge of the care and preparation of food.
• Knowledge of policies/procedures pertaining to food service programs.
• Knowledge of basic mathematics and measuring conversions.
• Knowledge of the safe and sanitary operation of kitchen equipment.

Basic Skills

• Manual skills for cleaning and sanitizing food preparation equipment.
• Cooking skills to prepare food safely and attractively.
• Practical communication skills to interact with staff, students, and parents.
• Mechanical skills to safely operate kitchen equipment.

Equipment Knowledge

• A computer is used for recording student purchases.
• Commercial kitchen equipment is used in the operation of a commercial food preparation establishment.

Other Requirements

• The candidate must be able to tolerate sustained standing, lifting items up to 50 lbs., and carrying moderately heavy items.
• The candidate must have a certificate of good health signed by a licensed physician.
• The candidate must pass a background check

Safety Statement

Kitchen staff have a considerable responsibility for the safety of others in assuring food is prepared in a safe and sanitary manner. All staff must perform their tasks with the well-being of students at the forefront of their decision-making.

Working Conditions Statement

• Work is conducted in a school cafeteria.
• Employees should expect to be exposed to loud noise from students and kitchen equipment.
• Employees should be able to tolerate heat from ovens and steamers.
• Employees must follow the required safety rules and guidelines, and wear the necessary protective equipment.