Cook

Advocate Health; Libertyville (IL); On-site; USD 34,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Advocate Health in Illinois is seeking a dedicated hospital kitchen cook to prepare and assemble meals per recipes and production sheets. You will measure ingredients, operate kitchen equipment, and ensure safe food handling and sanitation practices across daily production cycles.

The role requires 3 years of food production experience, familiarity with dietary restrictions, and a ServSafe certification. You will work in a fast-paced hospital setting with teamwork and strong time management.

Qualifications

• Typically requires 3 years of experience in food production in settings such as hotels, restaurants or institutional environments.
• Familiarity with diet restrictions and ability to adapt recipes accordingly.
• Proficient time management and strong interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Reviews production sheets and recipes to ensure quality and quantity; prepares food according to guidelines.
• Measures and mixes ingredients using utensils and equipment to prepare soups, salads, gravies, desserts, sauces and casseroles.
• Bakes, roasts, broils and steams meat, fish, vegetables per recipes; carves and slices meats and cheeses.
• Garnishes, displays and serves food items according to standards and recipes.
• Ensures proper storage, rotation, and temperature logging to maintain food safety.
• Follows department standards for sanitation and safe handling; monitors waste and portioning to control costs.
• May provide care appropriate to age-related needs as described in department policies and procedures.
• Operates equipment safely and works in a cooking environment with exposure to heat and sharp utensils.

Skills

Dietary restrictions awareness

Measure and scale ingredients

Time management

Interpersonal skills

Education

High School Diploma

ServSafe Food Handler certification

Job description

Major Responsibilities:

• Reviews production sheets and recipes to ensure quality and quantity needed for items to prepare. Prepares food on daily production report according to established guidelines. Maintains time and production records.
• Measures and mixes ingredients according to recipe. Uses a variety of kitchen utensils and equipment including blenders, mixers, grinders, slicers and tenderizers to prepare soups, salads, gravies, desserts, sauces and casseroles.
• Bakes, roasts, broils and steams meat, fish, vegetables and other foods per recipes. Carves and slices meats and cheese.
• Garnishes, displays and serves food items according to standards and recipes.
• Ensures proper storage and rotation of inventories in refrigerators and freezers. Monitors food temperatures and utilizes established procedures to ensure safe food handling techniques and prevent bacteria contamination.
• Follows department standards for safe food handling, storage and sanitation. Maintain temperature logs for production areas per department standards.
• Monitors accurate portioning and promotes food waste control. Prepares in small batches to help control waste/cost.
• Must be able to demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served. Must demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and possess the ability to assess data reflective of the patient's status and interpret the appropriate information needed to identify each patient's requirements relative to his/her age-specific needs, and to provide the care needed as described in the department's policies and procedures. Age-specific information is developed further in the departmental job standards.

Licensure, Registration, and/or Certification Required:

• ServSafe Food Handler certification issued by the National Restaurant Association needs to be obtained within 1 year.

Education Required:

• High School Graduate (or equivalent knowledge) in.

Experience Required:

• Typically requires 3 years of experience in food production in settings such as a hotel, restaurant or high end institutional environment.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required:

• Familiarity with diet restrictions and ability to adapt recipes accordingly.
• Ability to measure and scale amounts of ingredients used in a recipe.
• Proficient time management skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

• Operates all equipment necessary to perform the duties of the job.
• Stands, walks, and reaches above shoulders the majority of the workday as well as squats, bends, twists, kneels and climbs throughout.
• Continuously lifts up to 10 lbs., frequently lifts up to 20 lbs. and occasionally lifts up to 50 lbs.
• Working atmosphere may contain fumes and odors from food and dust sources such as flour, spices, etc.
• May be exposed to mechanical, electrical and chemical hazards. Protective clothing must be worn as necessary.
• Will be exposed to sharp knives, other sharp cooking utensils, heat from ovens and other hazards in a cooking environment.

This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be required to perform other related duties.