Cook

New Leaf Community Markets, Inc.; Capitola (CA); On-site; USD 24,797,000 - 33,062,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

401k

Parental Leave

Flexible scheduling

Transit benefits

Volunteer hours

Employee discount

Job summary

New Leaf Community Markets is seeking a Food Service Cook in Capitola, CA. You will join a team focused on quality, hospitality, and community. The role involves cooking, salad preparation, and sandwich assembly, with strict adherence to recipes, portioning, and FIFO practices.

You will work under the Kitchen Manager or Prepared Foods Manager to deliver exceptional service. The ideal candidate brings 1 year of related education or 3-6 months of experience, with the ability to stay organized,

Qualifications

• One-year certificate from college or technical school; or three to six months related experience and/or training.
• Experience with food preparation, handling, and sanitation.
• Ability to follow recipes and portion sizes precisely.

Responsibilities

• Preps, prepares, and cooks items for daily orders, and requisitions supplies.
• Follows recipes and portion sizes to spec.
• Mixes salads and prepares sandwiches and cheeses.
• Manages FIFO rotation and proper labeling of leftovers.
• Maintains quality and sanitation per FDA and local codes; some dishwashing may be required.

Skills

Customer service

Teamwork

Food safety

Education

One-year certificate or college/technical school

Job description

1212 New Capitola - New Leaf, 1475 41st Ave, Capitola, California, United States of America

Job Description

Posted Tuesday, August 11, 2026 at 10:00 AM | Expires Wednesday, August 26, 2026 at 9:59 AM

Who is New Leaf Community Markets?

New Leaf Community Markets opened its doors as a small cooperative in 1985 on the Westside of Santa Cruz. We learned early on, that the well-being of our guests, staff, and community starts with sustainable, locally-produced food. Farm-to-table all the way! We’ve partnered with open-minded producers who care as deeply about our people, the planet, and social justice as we do, from day one.

Our mission is to be a purveyor of good – from offering the best local and natural foods to taking care of our staff, community, and environment. We love what we do, and we know that it’s our passionate staff who make it all possible. We’re committed to taking care of our people by leading the way with progressive employment practices.

Every day, we work to create an atmosphere of openness, caring, trust, and fairness – a place where staff can thrive, and differences are celebrated. As a member of the New Leaf Community Markets team, you can count on an inclusive, friendly environment and a welcoming group of inspired individuals who love people, great food, and being a part of a community gathering place.

Ingredients You’ll Bring to the Table:

You love food and have the ability to create an experience that is beyond the everyday. You have a positive attitude and work well in a team environment. You can connect with people and reach a level of hospitality that exceeds guests’ expectations. You are warm, outgoing, authentically amazing, and want to be inspired, challenged, and proud of where you work.

You embody the spirit of New Leaf Community Market's core values: Community, Integrity, Sustainability, Quality, and Respect; and you are driven by our mission to nourish and sustain our community by using business as a force for change.

What’s on Your Plate:

Job Title: Food Service Cook

Department: Food Service

Reports To: Kitchen Manager or Prepared Foods Manager

FLSA Status: Nonexempt

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Cooks are responsible to perform duties and responsibilities listed below (other duties may be assigned):

• Preps, prepares, and cooks all items needed for daily orders. Requisition supplies daily.
• Follows all company’s recipes, and portion sizes when preparing foods following exact specifications.
• Mixes ingredients for green salads, fruit salads, and potato salad.
• Prepares cold sandwiches and cheeses.
• Follows the FIFO rotation system (First in, First out). Covers, labels, and dates all leftover foods. Utilizes leftover foods before opening new products.
• Inspects food and food preparation; including measuring temperatures throughout the preparation process, to maintain quality and sanitation by the FDA and local health departmental codes and the company’s stringent standards.
• Some dishwashing is required.

Customer Service Skills

Cooks are expected to provide customer service that is extra ordinary and exceeds the expectations of our customers.They are required to follow established policies and guidelines that go beyond simply smiling and greeting customers.Going above and beyond encompasses attitudes, respect, and flexibility. Cooks are expected to have a positive “can-do” attitude; treat others with respect; and easily adjust to changes in the workplace.

Education and/or Experience

One-year certificate from college or technical school; or three to six months related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, Cooks are regularly required to stand, walk, talk or hear, and taste or smell. Cooks are frequently required to sit and use their hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, or tools. Cooks are occasionally required to reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and stoop. Cooks must occasionally lift or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Why You’ll Love Working at New Leaf Community Markets

• Amazing Benefits Package – Including comprehensive medical, dental, vision, and 401k at 28 hours a week.
• Great earning potential with the opportunity for growth within our family of brands
• Paid Parental Leave available
• Lifestyle Scheduling
• Public Transport Benefits
• Paid Community Service Hours
• 30% discount at all New Leaf Community Markets, Bristol Farms, and Lazy Acres Natural Market locations

1212 New Capitola - New Leaf, 1475 41st Ave, Capitola, California, United States of America