Cook

The Salvation Army North & Central Illinois Division; Town of Wausau (WI); On-site; USD 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

The Salvation Army of Wausau is seeking a capable Cook to prepare meals for noon service, shelter, and youth programs. You will plan menus, oversee kitchen tasks, and ensure food safety and cleanliness across all meal services.

Responsibilities include supervising volunteers, coordinating with corps staff, maintaining inventory, and producing occasional reports. Education requires a high school diploma, with ServSafe certification due within 90 days of hire.

Qualifications

• Education requirement: high school diploma or equivalent.
• Experience in institutional cooking preferred.
• ServSafe certification due within 90 days of hire.

Responsibilities

• Plan menus for all meals and use donated foods where possible.
• Prepare and serve noon meals and special meals as requested.
• Prepare dinners for shelter and youth programs.
• Prepare a light meal for Advisory Board once monthly.
• Set out breakfast items and restock as needed.
• Clean all cooking areas and dining room; maintain sanitation.
• Ensure food safety standards are followed and areas cleaned.
• Maintain storage areas and date-order stock in coolers.
• Prepare required statistical reports for noon meals.
• Supervise volunteers assisting in kitchen tasks.
• Inspect equipment regularly and report maintenance needs.

Skills

Menu planning

Food preparation

Food safety

Volunteer supervision

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

ServSafe certification within 90 days

Job description

Whether it's overcoming poverty, curing hunger, providing housing, or helping disaster survivors, The Salvation Army of Wausau is there to help! By providing programs that serve the body, mind, and soul, The Salvation Army helps alleviate the symptoms of poverty - and works to address the root issues that cause it. We are here to help make a difference in our community. Every day we help cure hunger by providing nutritious meals to neighbors in need.

The Cook will accurately, efficiently, and safely prepare and serve meals for noon meal, shelter, and other programs.

About The Role

• Plans menus for all meals served. Effectively utilizes donated food items as possible to prepare nutritionally balanced meals that are appealing to the eye and taste.
• Prepares and serves noon meal. Prepares special meals as requested by the corps officer.
• Prepares meals for the evening programs for shelter and youth programs.
• Prepares once a month light meal for Advisory Board.
• Set out breakfast items and restocks as needed.
• Responsible for the cleaning of all cooking areas, dish washing area, dining room.
• Ensures and adherence to all food safety standards and ensure the kitchen and dining area are cleaned after each meal.
• Maintains kitchen storage areas, including walk‑in freezer, kitchen freezers, in a neat and orderly manner, making sure that all stock items are put away and used in date order.
• Prepares statistical report as required for the noon meals.
• Supervises volunteers who assist with kitchen tasks.
• Inspects equipment on a routine basis and reports equipment maintenance needs to Corps officer/ Maintenance department.

Education: High School Diploma or equivalent

Experience: Prior Experience in cooking in an institutional setting

Certifications: Have or complete ServSafe within 90 days of hire

The Salvation Army is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates who are back‑to‑work, US Veterans, people with disabilities, people who have been impacted by the justice system, and/or people without a college degree are encouraged to apply.