Catering Cook

Midnight Mission; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 25,000 - 26,000; Full time

Job summary

Midnight Mission in Los Angeles, CA is seeking a Catering Cook to prepare high‑quality meals for individuals served by the organization. The role involves hands‑on cooking, food handling, portioning, and sanitation in a California compliant kitchen.

Under supervision, you will follow standardized menus, manage production tasks, and uphold food‑safety standards while working in a trauma‑informed, dignity‑driven environment. Flexible schedule may include mornings, evenings, weekends.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED preferred.
• Culinary training or coursework a plus.
• Experience in high-volume catering or food-service settings preferred.

Responsibilities

• Prepare a wide variety of menu items in large volume using standardized recipes.
• Perform full production duties including cooking and prep tasks as needed.
• Apply culinary techniques for quality, garnishing, and plating.
• Follow recipes and manage quantities to meet meal counts and service timelines.
• Maintain safe temperatures and complete time/temperature logs.

Skills

Food preparation

Sanitation & safety

Teamwork

Reading recipes & scaling

Education

High school diploma or GED

Culinary training

Job description

Job Details Job Location: Los Angeles, CA 90013 Position Type: Full Time Salary Range: $18.51 - $19.19 Hourly

JOB SUMMARY:

Under the direction of the Food Services Manager and Catering Supervisor, the Catering Cook prepares high-quality, cost-effective meals for the individuals The Midnight Mission serves, following standardized menus and recipes. This is a hands‑on production role responsible for daily cooking, food handling, portioning, and sanitation — delivered safely, consistently, and with dignity, in full compliance with California food‑safety requirements.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Food Preparation & Production

• Prepare a wide variety of menu items in large volume, following standardized recipes, portion sizes, and presentation standards.
• Perform the full range of production duties, including food-production worker, cook assistant, and cook tasks as needed.
• Apply culinary techniques (knife skills, cooking methods, garnishing, and plating) to maintain quality and consistency.
• Follow complex recipes and manage required food-production quantities to meet meal counts and service timelines.
• Ensure food is cooked, held, cooled, and served at safe temperatures, and complete time/temperature logs.

Receiving, Inventory & Stock

• Receive and transport food and supplies from the stockroom to the kitchen, verifying quantities and quality.
• Assist, when called upon, with the monthly inventory of food, paper goods, and chemicals used by the catering team.
• Rotate stock using first-in, first-out (FIFO) and help minimize spoilage and waste.

Sanitation & Food Safety

• Monitor and participate in cleaning and sanitizing of cooking areas, equipment, and utensils, following daily and deep‑cleaning schedules.
• Maintain compliance with the California Retail Food Code (CalCode), county health‑department requirements, and TMM’s Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP).
• Follow all personal‑hygiene, handwashing, and food‑safety protocols; promptly report hazards or equipment issues.

Records & Teamwork

• Record the quantities of food prepared, served, and left over on the daily production sheet.
• Maintain strong, respectful working relationships with kitchen staff, volunteers, and program teams.
• Support a trauma‑informed, dignified approach to service at all times.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Food Services Manager or Catering Supervisor.

If Designated as Lead Cook (optional)

• Provide day‑to‑day guidance to assigned culinary staff and volunteers on the production line, coordinating tasks to meet the day’s meal service.

QualificationsEducation

• High school diploma or GED preferred.
• Culinary training or coursework a plus.

Experience

• Prior experience as a cook in high‑volume, catering, institutional, shelter, or food‑service settings preferred.
• Experience following standardized recipes and producing food in large quantities.

Certifications & Licenses

• Must obtain a valid California Food Handler Card within 30 days of hire.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Ability to prepare a wide variety of recipes in large volume.
• Skilled in food garnishing, plating, and standard culinary techniques.
• Ability to multitask across catering functions in a fast‑paced kitchen.
• Ability to read, follow, and scale recipes and complete production sheets accurately.
• Basic math skills for measuring, portioning, and inventory.
• Ability to maintain strong working relationships and function as part of a team.
• Ability to work respectfully with a diverse population, including individuals experiencing homelessness, trauma, or crisis.
• Demonstrated commitment to TMM’s mission and to serving with compassion and dignity.

OR

• Any combination of academic education, professional training, or work experience which demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position.

Physical Demands & Work Environment

• Stands and walks for extended periods; frequently reaches, bends, stoops, and lifts.
• Regularly lifts and carries up to 50 pounds; occasionally moves heavier items with assistance or equipment.
• Works in a commercial‑kitchen environment with exposure to heat, steam, cold storage, wet floors, cleaning chemicals, sharp tools, and commercial equipment.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Working Conditions & Schedule

• Flexible schedule based on service needs; may include early mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Occasional additional hours may be required to meet operational demands.