Akers Cook I

Michigan State University; East Lansing (MI); On-site; USD 17,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

Michigan State University is seeking a Cook I for its Culinary Services team in East Lansing. You will prepare, season, cook, and portion a wide variety of foods to high quality standards. You will follow recipes and maintain proper temperatures and portion sizes to control waste and costs.

Responsibilities include washing, chopping, measuring ingredients and using grills, ovens, and fryers. The role requires flexible shifts and adherence to health codes, sanitation, and safety protocols on a

Qualifications

• Proficient in following prescribed recipes.
• Working knowledge of cooking methods, processes, and materials.
• Two years of satisfactory experience as a Food Service Worker or equivalent.
• Willingness to work a flexible shift.
• Hygiene standards per sanitation rules.
• Occasional lifting of 26 to 75 pounds.

Responsibilities

• Prepare ingredients by washing, chopping, and measuring for daily service.
• Cook and portion dishes using grills, ovens, and fryers.
• Season to achieve consistent flavor and high quality.
• Maintain safety, sanitation, and temperature control.

Skills

Cooking methods

Recipe following

Food safety

Flexibility

Job description

Working/Functional Title

Akers Cook I

Position Summary

Are you a passionate culinary professional ready to showcase your skills in a high-energy kitchen? Join our dynamic Culinary Services team as a Cook! In this role, you will bring menus to life - expertly preparing, seasoning, cooking, and portioning a wide variety of delicious foods. If you have a love for great food, thrive in a fast-paced environment, and want to elevate our guest dining experience, we want you on our line!

Your position will include preparing ingredients by washing, chopping, and measuring food items for daily service. You will cook dishes while executing recipes accurately using grills, ovens, and fryers and seasoning properly to ensure consistent flavor and high quality in every meal. You will also portion food by measuring exact servings to control waste and costs and maintaining safety and following health codes, sanitizing stations, and tracking food temperatures.

All positions in RHS are designated as critical status. In the event of a university closure, modification, or suspension of operations due to snow or other emergency condition, persons in this position are expected to make all reasonable attempts to report to work as scheduled for the duration of the closure/suspension. If a person has an approved remote work agreement to work a portion of their normally scheduled work hours remotely, they may be called upon to work on-site to serve the MSU community.

Minimum Requirements

• Ability to follow prescribed recipes is necessary.
• Working knowledge of cooking methods, processes, and materials is necessary.
• Two years satisfactory experience as a Food Service Worker or an equivalent combination of technical training and experience is necessary.
• Willingness to work a flexible shift is necessary.
• Standards of personal hygiene consistent with sanitation rules and regulations is necessary.
• Occasional lifting of 26 to 75 pounds is required.

Desired Qualifications

• Customer Focus: Deeply customer-oriented with a proven ability to anticipate needed changes in service and customer demands before they impact operations.
• Proactive Action: Highly skilled in taking initiative to solve kitchen problems and improve service flow independently.
• Adaptability: Demonstrates high flexibility when responding to sudden volume spikes, changing menus, or shifting production schedules.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Required Application Materials

Resume

Work Hours

Sunday and Monday off, Tuesday through Saturday 1:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.

Building Location

W AKERS HALL

Website

CAREERS.MSU.EDU

Summary of Physical Demands

Occasional lifting of 26 to 75 pounds is required.

Bidding eligibility ends September 8, 2026 at 11:55 P.M.