Cook

Olympia Hospitality; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 28,000 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401K plan with discretionary match

Paid time off (PTO)

7 paid holidays

Earned wage access program

Hotel travel discounts

Job summary

Olympia Hospitality invites dedicated cooks to join our kitchen at the Sophy Hotel. You will prepare and cook menu items, ensuring consistency and food safety while collaborating with the culinary team to refine dishes and specials.

Attention to detail and the ability to work under pressure help us deliver top-quality meals for our guests. We offer competitive starting pay, growth opportunities, and a supportive, value-driven workplace that rewards teamwork and personal development.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years’ kitchen experience and HS diploma or equivalent.
• Culinary Arts education preferred; Serve-Safe Certification and Allergy Awareness Training preferred.
• Ability to communicate effectively with guests and team members; maintain composure under pressure.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and cook menu items according to recipes, portions, and safety standards.
• Follow proper cooking techniques (grilling, frying, roasting, baking, sautéing).
• Monitor temperatures, times, and quantities to minimize waste and ensure quality.
• Collaborate with culinary team to refine menu items and promotions.
• Experiment with ingredients and techniques to create innovative dishes.

Skills

Customer service

Communication

Attention to detail

Learn quickly

Work under pressure

Education

High school diploma

Culinary Arts education

Serve-Safe Certification

Allergy Awareness Training

Tools

Knife skills

Grill

Broiler

Sauté

Expediter

Garde manger

Job description

We’re more than just a team - we’re a community dedicated to making a difference every day.

At Olympia Hospitality and the Sophy Hotel, we create a fun, supportive environment where growth never stops, and success is celebrated together. Guided by our values of continuous improvement, accountability, concern for others, and trust, we foster a culture of collaboration and integrity. If you’re passionate, driven, and ready to thrive, we’d love to have you on our team.

Looking for cooks to safely and efficiently prepare and cook food that will keep our customers coming back. Our goal is to have customers tell us that our food and service is excellent!

Starting pay $20.00 per hour

Join a Team that Puts Your Well-Being First!

Here’s How We Show Our Commitment

• Health Coverage That Works for You: We contribute up to 80% toward individual health plans and offer affordable dental and vision insurance. Plus, with FSA and HSA options, you can plan for your healthcare costs your way.
• Secure Your Future: With our 401K plan and discretionary yearly match, you can build the financial future you deserve.
• Peace of Mind: We provide paid group term life insurance for select positions, 50% shared cost short-term disability, and you have the option to purchase additional employee paid life insurance.
• Time for You: Enjoy our robust PTO plan and 7 paid holidays to maintain work-life balance. Need quick access to your paycheck? Our earned wage access program has you covered!
• Additional Support: From our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to a sober support network, and our commitment to being a recovery-friendly workplace, we’re here to help you thrive personally and professionally.
• Perks: Love to travel? Enjoy exclusive hotel travel discounts as a member of our team. Additional benefits may be available based on property specific locations!

We’re more than just a business—we’re a values-driven organization that believes in creating an environment where every team member can thrive. Our core values guide everything we do, from how we interact with each other to how we serve our guests and community. Join us at Olympia Hospitality and take the next step toward a fulfilling, balanced, and supported career.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and cook menu items in accordance with established recipes, portion sizes, and quality standards, ensuring consistency and adherence to food safety guidelines.
• Follow proper cooking techniques and methods, including grilling, frying, roasting, baking, and sautéing, to achieve desired flavors, textures, and appearances.
• Monitor food temperatures, cooking times, and ingredient quantities to prevent waste and ensure that food is cooked and served at optimal quality.
• Collaborate with the culinary team and management to develop and refine menu items, specials, and promotions that appeal to guests' preferences and dietary needs.
• Experiment with new ingredients, flavors, and cooking techniques to create innovative and unique dishes that showcase the restaurant's culinary expertise and creativity.
• Stay informed about culinary trends, industry developments, and seasonal ingredients, and incorporate these insights into menu planning and execution.
• Maintain a clean, sanitized, and orderly kitchen environment at all times, including workstations, equipment, utensils, and storage areas, in compliance with health and safety regulations.
• Assist with inventory management, including receiving, storing, and rotating ingredients and supplies, and conducting regular stock checks to ensure adequate levels for production.
• Follow proper food handling and storage procedures to minimize the risk of contamination, spoilage, and foodborne illness, and ensure that all kitchen equipment is maintained and operated safely.
• Communicate effectively with kitchen staff, servers, and management to coordinate food preparation, cooking times, and service priorities, and ensure smooth operations during peak hours.
• Support and assist colleagues as needed, including dishwashing, food plating, and garnishing, to maintain efficient workflow and meet service deadlines.

Skills Required

• Provide high-level customer service, communicate effectively with guests and team members, follow instructions, ability to learn quickly, pay attention to detail, and maintain composure when working under pressure

Technical Skills

• Safe and appropriate use and operation of kitchen equipment
• Knife skills, grill, broiler, sauté and Expediter skills; garde manger experience
• Speed in meal production while ensuring high-quality food

Experience / Education

• Minimum 2 years’ experience; high school diploma and/or equivalent work experience; experience with receiving orders and inventory control helpful; Culinary Arts education preferred; Serve-Safe Certification and Allergy Awareness Training preferred.

The Olympia Companies is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to qualified applicants without regard to such characteristics as race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability, genetic information, protected veteran status or any other factor protected by applicable law.