Cook

The Common Market Co-Op; Frederick (MD); On-site; USD 28,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

The Common Market Co-Op in Frederick, MD is seeking a dedicated kitchen team member to prepare food according to recipes, maintain sanitation, and ensure products are stored safely.

This role offers full-time and part-time options, requires a High School Diploma and at least one year of experience with natural foods, and emphasizes reliability, teamwork, and adaptability.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent preferred.
• Minimum 1 year experience with natural foods preferred.
• Strong reading skills to interpret recipes and measurements.
• Knowledge of proper food-handling procedures.

Responsibilities

• Prepares food according to recipes and best discretion.
• Ensures food at correct temperatures by regulating ovens and grills.
• Rotates stock and checks freshness of ingredients.
• Maintains cleanliness and safety in prep areas and equipment.
• Completes temperature logs and labeling of stored products.
• Provides attentive service to customers and team members.

Skills

Food prep

Recipe following

Food safety

Temperature control

Stock rotation

Customer service

Education

High School Diploma

Natural foods experience preferred

Job description

• Supports the co‑op’s core values and aligns with the Co‑op Code of Conduct.
• Prepares food according to recipes and best discretion.
• Cleans and inspects equipment, kitchen appliances, and work areas to ensure cleanliness and functional operation.
• Ensures food is stored and cooked at correct temperatures by regulating temperatures of ovens, broilers, grills, and roasters.
• Ensures freshness of food and ingredients by checking for quality, keeping track of old and new items, and rotating stock.
• Completes shrink log daily.
• Follows Health Department Regulations and department sanitation and safety procedures.
• Removes trash, compost, and recyclables promptly.
• Attends to spills and keeps appropriate prep/storage areas in a clean, orderly condition.
• Uses equipment safely and follows safe knife-handling procedures.
• Follows all standard procedures, including opening and closing processes.
• Completes temperature logs, labeling, and dating all stored products.
• Provides attentive, timely, and friendly service to all internal and external customers at all times.
• Others duties as assigned.

PREREQUISITES

• High School Diploma or equivalent education or experience preferred.
• A minimum of one (1) year’s experience and familiarity with natural foods strongly preferred.
• Solid numbers skills to accurately measure ingredients and determine baking durations.
• Strong reading skills to interpret and follow recipes accurately.
• Knowledgeable of proper food‑handling procedures.
• Capacity to maintain composure and adapt as needed to unexpected challenges, changes, or stressful situations.
• Ability to receive constructive criticism gracefully.
• Creativity for developing new products or creating new recipes.

ENVIRONMENTAL & PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Flexibility to work any shift, including mornings, middays, evenings, weekends.
• Must wear closed‑toe, skid‑resistant shoes; a head covering (hat, bandanna, etc.); and long pants.
• Ability to work in varying temperatures (approximately 40°F – 95°F).
• Ability to stand for long periods at a time.
• Ability to bend, stoop, reach, kneel, twist, and climb.
• Ability to lift 50 pounds unassisted.
• Reliable access to transportation.

Full time and part time options available