Cook

Panda Restaurant Group; Ankeny (IA); On-site; USD 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible schedules

Great pay

Free meals while working

Medical, Vision, Dental benefits

401K with company match

Paid training

Opportunity for growth into management

Job summary

A leading restaurant company is seeking Cook Associates in Ankeny, Iowa. This role is critical to the kitchen, focusing on creating dishes and fostering a welcoming atmosphere for guests. Responsibilities include preparing food according to company standards, training kitchen staff, and managing back-of-house tasks. Qualifications include some high school education and a passion for food service. The company offers flexible schedules, great pay, free meals while working, and various health benefits. Opportunities for career growth are also available.

Qualifications

• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs.
• Stand for long periods while working.
• Experience in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Support in creating a vibrant environment for guests.
• Prepare dishes to meet company recipes.
• Guide and assist with training the kitchen team.
• Perform all Back of House responsibilities.

Skills

Food Safety

Effective verbal communication

Ability to adapt to a dynamic environment

Education

Some high school education

Job description

Our Panda Cook associates are important leaders of our team and the heart of our kitchen. You are responsible for creating food with passion, service with heart and ambiance with pride.

Responsibilities

• Support in creating a vibrant and welcoming environment for our guests.
• Preparing all dishes to meet company recipes and standards.
• Guiding Kitchen Team and assisting with their training.
• Performing all Back of House responsibilities.

Qualifications, Education and Experience

• Some high school education.
• Prefer some Operations experience.
• Food Safety: Local/municipal requirements, such as Food Handler certification, acquired at applicant’s own expense.

Benefits

• Flexible schedules.
• Great pay.
• Free meals while working at Panda.
• Medical, Vision, Dental, Voluntary Short-Term Disability, Cancer Income Protection insurance for full-time associates.
• Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending accounts.
• 401K with company match.
• Vacation, sick leave, bereavement/funeral leave and Leave Share Program for eligible associates.
• Associate discounts for many brands.
• Referral bonus for eligible associates.
• Opportunity to give back to your community.
• Hands‑on paid training to prepare you for success.
• On‑Going Career & Leadership Development.
• Opportunities for growth into management positions.
• Pre‑Tax Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account.
• Please refer to https://www.pandacareers.com/files/PRG_HR_Recruiting_Benefits.pdf for details.
• Candidates must meet, and continue to meet if employed, eligibility requirements for each benefit to qualify.

ADA Statement

While performing duties, counter areas are often hot with steam from steam table and food vapors. Workspace is restricted and employees are generally expected to remain standing for long periods of time. Employees must prepare hot and cold foods, use Chinese cook knife and other kitchen equipment and work quickly without losing accuracy. Employees must be able to lift up to 50 lbs., stand up to four hours and reach across counter tops measured at 36 inches to serve customers. Kitchens are hot and noise levels are usually high; storage space is limited and shelving is high. Employees must be able to work in a fast‑paced work environment, have effective verbal communication skills, ability to adapt to a dynamic environment with changing priorities, and the ability to manage conflicts/difficult situations.

About Panda

Founded in Glendale, California, we are now the largest family‑owned American Chinese Restaurant concept in America. With close to 2,300 locations globally, we continue our mission of delivering exceptional Asian dining experiences by building an organization where people are inspired to better their lives. Whether it’s impacting our team or the communities we work in, we’re proud to be an organization that embraces family values.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Panda Restaurant Group, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to providing equal opportunity, and does not discriminate on the basis of any characteristic protected by law, including but not limited to sex/gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, lactation and related conditions), gender expression, race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, age, ancestry, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, and veteran status. Additionally, Panda Restaurant Group, Inc. complies with all federal, state, and local laws regarding requests for workplace accommodation. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits discrimination against qualified individuals on the basis of disability. Applicants are entitled to reasonable accommodations, absent undue hardship, to effectively participate in the application and hiring process, for example, sign language interpreters. If you believe you require an accommodation for the application or interview process or for the position for which you are applying, please reach out to [e-mail].