Cook - College Cafe

Thomas Cuisine; Santa Clara (CA); On-site; USD 41,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Life/Work Integration

Paid Time Off

Holiday Premium Pay

Medical Plans

Prescription, Dental, Vision

Job summary

Thomas Cuisine is hiring a Cook for the College Cafe in Santa Clara, CA. This full-time, on-site role emphasizes scratch cooking, safety, and quality in a busy cafeteria setting.

You will follow recipes, prep daily, and work with a collaborative team to deliver nutritious meals for students and staff. Must have ServSafe and State Food Handlers Card; High School Diploma is required; a background check is required.

Qualifications

• ServSafe Certification and State Food Handlers Card are required.
• Ability to pass a criminal background check and drug screen.
• High School Diploma or GED required.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and cook fresh, scratch-made meals in a high-volume, college cafeteria.
• Follow recipes, production schedules, and food safety standards.
• Complete daily prep work, inventory rotation, and kitchen cleaning tasks.
• Help ensure excellent food quality, presentation, and service for staff and guests.
• Support a collaborative culinary team focused on serving great food daily.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

ServSafe Certification

State Food Handlers Card

Background check

Education

High School Diploma/GED

Job description

Posting Details

• Posted on October 5, 2026

Locations

• Santa Clara, CA 95054, USA
• On-site
• Operations
• Full-Time
• Requisition #: COOKC009066

Description

Join Our REAL Food Mission!

Cook - College Cafe | Location: Santa Clara, CA 95054

Compensation: $22 per hour| Full-Time

Schedule: Monday-Friday, 9am-5:30pm

Job Summary

Bring your passion for scratch cooking to a team that values fresh ingredients, flavorful meals, and making a daily difference. As a Cook, you’ll help craft delicious, nourishing dishes in a fast-paced kitchen where quality and care come first. You’ll work in a collaborative kitchen environment, preparing nutritious meals while following safety standards and bringing care and attention to every dish. Your role helps create a warm, welcoming experience through food that makes a difference.

What You’ll Do

• Prepare and cook fresh, scratch-made meals in a high-volume, fast-paced college cafeteria.
• Follow recipes, production schedules, and food safety standards to deliver high-quality menu items.
• Complete daily prep work, inventory rotation, and kitchen cleaning tasks.
• Help ensure excellent food quality, presentation, and service for cafeteria staff, visitors, and guests.
• Support a collaborative culinary team focused on serving great food every day.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

What You Will Bring

• ServSafe® Certification and State Food Handlers Card
• Ability to pass a criminal background check and drug screen
• High School Diploma/GED

Physical and Sensory Requirements

• This job involves regular exposure to moving mechanical parts and a kitchen environment with fumes, airborne particles, and moderate noise. Employees must have the physical stamina to stand for long periods, lift trays, and perform repetitive tasks. Occasional exposure to wet or humid conditions, extreme temperatures, and vibration may occur. Reasonable accommodations are available for individuals with disabilities.

At Thomas Cuisine, our people are purposeful. They care about food and quality and have a desire to make a positive impact in the world through REAL food. Embark on a rewarding culinary journey with us, where your skills will not only flourish but also contribute significantly to the satisfaction and well-being of our healthcare community.

What We Offer!

Life/Work Integration

• Paid Bereavement Leave
• Paid Parental Leave
• Paid Baby Bonding Leave
• Paid Elder Care Leave
• Paid Time Off (Accrued)
• Holiday Premium Pay

Health & Wellness

• 3 Medical Plans (Blue Cross)
• Prescription, Dental, and Vision Coverage
• Reimbursed Wellness Massages (Portion of cost)
• Voluntary HSA with Company Match
• Voluntary FSA
• Free Employee Assistance Program (Behavioral Health Support)
• Access to Wellness Initiatives (Fitness Memberships, etc.)

Financial Wellness

• 401(k) Retirement Plan with Company Match
• Company-Paid Basic Life Insurance
• Company-Paid Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) Policy
• Voluntary Short-Term Disability
• Voluntary Employee, Spouse, and/or child(ren) Life Insurance, with AD&D

Plus

• A supportive, collaborative work environment
• Opportunities for growth

Who We Are

Founded in 1986, Thomas Cuisine is an award-winning, privately held contract food service company. We advocate the healing power of whole foods and believe in preparing scratch-made cuisine fresh each day. Our people are purposeful, they care about food and quality, and have a desire to make a positive impact in the world through REAL food. Embark on a rewarding culinary journey with us, where your skills will not only flourish, but also contribute significantly to the satisfaction and well-being of our growing community.

Our Commitment To You

At Thomas Cuisine, we are dedicated to fostering a workplace that is diverse, equitable, inclusive, and where every individual feels a sense of belonging. We know that this commitment is an ongoing journey, and we will strive to improve and adapt as we grow. Our DEIB commitment is not just a statement but a living part of our company culture.

REAL Food | Genuine Service | Enduring Relationships

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.