Cafeteria Prep Cook

Cooper's Hawk Winery; Downers Grove (IL); On-site; USD 10,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking dedicated Prep Cooks to join their dynamic team. This role involves preparing a variety of delicious food items in a fast-paced kitchen environment, ensuring high standards of quality, safety, and sanitation. With a focus on teamwork and operational excellence, you'll have the opportunity to thrive in a supportive atmosphere while enjoying fantastic perks like significant dining discounts and flexible schedules. If you're passionate about food and eager to contribute to a vibrant culinary experience, this position is perfect for you!

Benefits

50% Dining and Carryout Discounts

40% Retail Wine Discounts

20% Retail and Private Events Discounts

Monthly Complimentary Wine Tasting

Medical, Prescription, Dental, Vision Insurance

Company Matching 401(k) Retirement Plan

Flexible Savings Accounts

Paid Time Off

Complimentary Team Member Shift Meals

Wine and Culinary Education

Qualifications

• Must be at least 18 years of age and represent Cooper’s Hawk Values.
• Knowledge of safety, sanitation, and food handling procedures required.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and execute menu items for breakfast and lunch services.
• Monitor food quality and cleanliness during service hours.
• Assist in food safety practices and team collaboration.

Skills

Food Handling Procedures

Team Collaboration

Multi-tasking

Communication Skills

Ability to Follow Recipes

Education

Illinois Food Handler Certification

Tools

Industrial Dishwashing Machines

3-Compartment Sinks

Job description

Cooper’s Hawk will be operating the Community Café, located inside and servicing a large corporate office building for breakfast and lunch hours. The Cooper’s Hawk Prep Cook plays an integral role in the creation and execution of our menu items, by preparing a variety of cold and hot food items and ensuring consistency in each of our dishes.

We are looking for Prep Cooks for daytime hours, Monday – Friday. We offer exciting and rewarding opportunities for top performers who are committed to operational excellence, innovation and building a team culture based on daily successes. We are looking for individuals who can cross-train and work multiple stations in a fast-paced, independent manner.

Pay Range: $15 - $20 / hour. Pay is determined by skills, qualifications, and experience.

What You’ll Get

• Incredible Discounts:
  • 50% Dining and Carryout
  • 40% Retail Wine
  • 20% Retail and Private Events
  • Monthly Complimentary Wine Tasting for Two
• Medical, Prescription, Dental, Vision Insurance plus Telemedicine and Wellness Program
• Company Matching 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan
• Flexible Savings Accounts- Health and Dependent Care
• Highly Competitive Pay plus Team Member Incentives & Rewards
• Pay Access before Pay Day
• Flexible Schedules
• Paid Time Off
• Complimentary Team Member Shift Meals and Uniform
• Wine and Culinary Education
• Career Growth Flight Plan
• Milestones Recognition Program

Please visit the benefits section in the Cooper's Hawk career site for more detailed benefits information.

What You’ll Do

• Understand, execute and teach all aspects of Café food production and procedures in a structured, system-driven kitchen environment, throughout the following stations:
  • Food and beverage catering services throughout building
  • Made-to-order breakfast, served daily
  • Taqueria, deli, pizza, grill and salad bar, operational during lunch hours
  • Grab-and-go items – prep, cook, package and stock a large variety, daily
  • Stock a large selection of retail food and beverage items, including Cooper’s Hawk wine
• Monitor food levels, quality and cleanliness of all stations during lunch period
• Follow recipes and prepare food items for breakfast and lunch service stations
• Be proficient in all café operations including breakfast, taqueria, sandwich, grill, pizza and salad bar stations
• Assist in developing a team of food safety champions through team collaboration to ensure all food safety/HACCP systems and standards are strictly adhered to and executed daily
• Safely and efficiently use sharp knife in a fast-paced kitchen environment
• Adhere to and maintain standing “zoning” procedures
• Assist in putting daily deliveries away accurately, rotate stock in cooler, freezer and dry storage area using the First In-First Out method while monitoring shelf life and code dates
• Wash, rinse and sanitize items used in kitchen for prep, cooking and storage
• Keeps dish area orderly and in compliance with safety standards
• Sweep and mop kitchen floors to ensure compliance with safety and sanitation standards
• Bus tables, check garbage, and maintain cleanliness of the dining room area during lunch service

What You’ll Need

• Must represent Cooper’s Hawk Values
• Must be at least 18 years of age
• Illinois Food Handler Certification
• Experience with industrial dishwashing machines and 3-compartment sinks preferred
• Previous prep or line cook experience preferred
• An individual who thrives in a team-based environment
• Knowledge of safety, sanitation, and food handling procedures
• Ability to follow recipes and instructions
• Ability to communicate clearly with Guests, Managers and Team Members
• Must be able to read, write and understand English
• Ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 lbs.
• Ability to stand and walk up to 8 hours per shift
• Ability to exert fast-paced mobility for periods of up to 8 hours in length
• Ability to perform essential functions to Cooper’s Hawk standards with reasonable accommodation