Lead Cook

Dexterra Group; Vancouver; On-site; CAD 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A culinary services provider in Metro Vancouver seeks an experienced Cook to enhance their culinary team. You will create scratch-made dishes using locally sourced ingredients, manage kitchen operations, and ensure quality and safety standards. The ideal candidate has at least 5 years of cooking experience and a culinary degree, with strong leadership and teamwork skills. This position requires availability for a seasonal role from September to June with potential opportunities during summer.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of cooking experience required.
• Completion of a post-secondary degree or formal culinary training is essential.
• Recent related experience in high volume culinary teams is necessary.

Responsibilities

• Plan and prepare all meals ensuring culinary excellence.
• Train service staff in presentation and portioning.
• Manage inventory and enforce safety regulations.

Skills

Cooking experience

Communication skills

Team leadership

Attention to detail

Menu planning

Education

Post-secondary degree or formal culinary training

Tools

POS equipment

Job description

Job Description

To be considered for this position you :

• MUST HAVE a minimum of 5years experience
• MUST HAVE a current food handlers certificate.
• MUST live local or have reliable transportation, dueto operation hours

In this Position You Will....

• Create dishes that are made from scratch using products that are grown and sourced locally
• Create healthy and nutritious meals and serviceto our guests, paying attention to not only taste but also presentation and the food service experience
• Get to know our customers, build a relationship and listen to their feedback to help improve our culinary offerings and service
• Champion the Dana Hospitality brand; embrace local suppliers and local sourcing opportunities, create delicious food items using preparation techniques that maintain the nutritious content of the food, and create as many items from scratch as possible.
• Assist in managing the aspects of the business which can include; client and customer relations, inventory, food health and safety, and overall operational excellence
• Maintain and implement any new Company procedures and programs including diet and allergy awareness
• Work closely with our operations team to establish goals and strategies to continuously improve the performance of the unit
• Ability to create high volume (250+ daily) while still maintaining quality and adhering to food cost
• The position is seasonal; from September to June, however, there is work opportunities within other Dana accounts throughout the summer months.
• The daily shifts is Monday to Friday : 6 : 00 am to 2 : 00pm, rare occasion weekend.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Under the general supervision of the Chef Manager, the Cook is tasked with ensuring the culinary excellence of the location. This includes the planning, preparing, and / or directing of the preparation of all meals in the kitchen, including catering, developing new recipes, and reviewing food preparation processes to improve efficiency.

• Assist in planning and developing menus and recipes for the cafeteria and catering events, incorporating both the company’s promotional themes and the Healthwise Choices Program while also encouraging creative ideas from staff that fall within company guidelines and restrictions
• Establish and implement food preparation schedules for all staff and recipes, creating an efficient and organized process for each dish
• Preparation of food items for meals, daily specials, and catered events such as : soups, salads, starches, meats, fish, poultry, vegetables, and desserts
• Make suggestions for menu planning and costing that takes into consideration dish popularity, cost to produce, and seasonal trends
• Be highly proficient in a wide variety of preparation methods such as : roasting, grilling, steaming, poaching, boiling, and baking
• Complete knowledge of the kitchen, recipes, and service stations at the location with the ability to step in and provide additional support where required
• Train service staff in the presentation of each menu item, ensuring proper portioning and superior presentation of all items
• Be a leader and ensurebest practices are followed, in an effort to ensure high levels of product quality and customer satisfaction in a work environment conducive to learning and team and organizational success
• Ensure all staff are adhering to all required safety regulations and procedures while preparing food, including :
• proper techniques when using the tools, supplies, and equipment provided (i.e. knives, ovens, cleaning materials)
• Wearing and correctly using proper personal protective equipment (i.e. non-slip shoes, cut-resistant gloves)
• Proper handling of equipment only by trained staff and notifying appropriate parties of malfunctioning or in need of repair equipment
• Complying with Food Safe and / or Serve Safe standards including sanitation, prevention of cross-contamination, and the recording of temperatures of food items
• Following all Health and Safety policies and procedures as set by applicable legislation and company policies

Work alongside the Chef Manager and kitchen staff to control costs of the location by taking measures such as :

• Performing physical inventories, adequately maintaining the level of stock at the location
• Establishing and ensuring maintenance of food rotation in storage in order to minimize spoilage and waste
• Controlling portioning of food items to ensure recipe yield meets quantity and budget expectations
• Suggesting dishes that take advantage of seasonal availability
• Identifying menu items that could be more cost-effective or replaced by higher-yield dishes
• Ensure unit and operational changes are clearly communicated and followed by all staff members
• Remain an ambassador of goodwill, ethics, and great client relations at all times
• Listens to customers (internal and external) and responds professionally to all questions and concerns, directing concerns to further levels of management as needed
• Maintains and upholds speed of service standards
• Other related duties as assigned

Qualifications

WHO ARE WE LOOKING FOR?

• Minimum 5years of cooking experience
• Completion of a post-secondary degree or formal culinary training
• Five years of recent related experience in the food service industry working with high volume culinary teams
• ServeSafe and / or FoodSafe certified
• Thorough knowledge of regulations regarding the food service industry
• Superior communication skills in both verbal and written English
• Excellent culinary tastes and an artistic flair for creating unique meals and appealing presentations
• Experience leading high-performance teams with a track record of producing results while motivating team members
• Able to effectively handle the concerns of employees, customers, and clients with tact while adhering to confidentiality policies
• Work accurately and in an efficient manner while managing multiple tasks and priorities
• Superior knowledge of the safe use of all equipment
• Highly organized with a strong focus and commitment to quality
• Able to effectively use a computer and all related software, including POS equipment