Cook - Continuous

University of Minnesota; Minneapolis (MN); On-site; USD 33,117 - 39,592; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive wages

Paid holidays

Generous time off

Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts

Employee Assistance Program with counseling sessions

Job summary

The University of Minnesota is hiring a Cook for the Twin Cities dining facilities. This role is essential in providing a high-quality dining experience for students and staff, responsible for food preparation and supervision of staff. The position lasts approximately nine months from August to May with possible hour reductions during breaks.

Key qualifications include having a high school diploma and at least two years of relevant experience. The role offers competitive pay between $24.04 and $28.74 per hour, alongside numerous benefits including health insurance and retirement plans.

Qualifications

• Must have a minimum of two years relevant experience or education in quantity food production.
• Able to lift up to 50 pounds occasionally.
• Regular attendance is essential.

Responsibilities

• Prep food products for recipes.
• Prepare complex recipes, following brand specifications.
• Provide oversight of staff during shifts.

Skills

Food preparation

Menu presentation

Knife handling

Mathematics and recipe conversion

Education

High school graduate or GED

Job description

Job Details

• Job ID: 374512
• Location: Twin Cities
• Job Family: LR-Service/Maintenance/Labor
• Full/Part Time: Full-Time
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• Job Code: 6074
• Employee Class: Teamsters Local 320

About the Job

The Promotional Priority Period for current Teamster applicants begins 7/1/26 and 7/8/26.
About the Job: A Cook at the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is a crucial member of the M Food Co. team for ensuring the smooth operation of the residential dining halls and retail locations across the Twin Cities campus (East Bank, West Bank, and St. Paul Campus). Cooks play a meaningful role in providing an exceptional dining experience for students, faculty, and staff.

A Cook is responsible for preparing, planning, and cooking food items to ensure high-quality food production. They are responsible to help keep the kitchen organized and running efficiently.

This position is a 9 month appointment and will run from approximately August to May. Due to the variations in the academic year, it is possible that this job will have a reduction of hours during breaks.

This position may be designated as essential. This position is represented by the Teamsters Bargaining Unit.

Location and Work Schedule: This position is a blanket position which means work assignments and hours are assigned and changed based on location and operational needs until a position is awarded.

Primary Responsibilities

The following list of duties does not include all possible tasks and responsibilities, nor limits the assignment of additional related tasks including tasks typically performed by a lower classification.

• Preps food products to be used in recipes
• Prepares complex recipes a majority of the time and simple recipes as needed
• Uses independent judgment in menu presentation and food quality assessment
• Produces a whole meal by preparing multiple recipes in a meal menu, often from scratch, following brand specifications
• Identifies recipe issues and resolves or elevates to managers
• Participates in recipe file maintenance
• Completes food production records
• Determines batch cook amount and frequency
• Operates food production equipment, mechanical cutting equipment, and other manual cooking utensils, including knives, in daily duties
• Puts away food and supplies
• Completes daily, weekly, and monthly cleaning as assigned

Functions as a Lead Worker

• Provides oversight responsibility of a group of staff employees and handles customer service issues in the absence of a manager
• Orients employees to job area and to the facility
• Trains employees on job tasks
• Assigns and re-assigns tasks throughout the shift to effectively accomplish prescribed work
• Gives direction to employees concerning procedures
• Communicates established standards of performance to employees and assesses conformance
• Provides informal feedback on employee performance to the manager
• Models expected behaviors and standards
• Keeps manager apprised of operational issues
• The employer retains the right to change or assign other duties to this position

Required Qualifications

• High school graduate or GED
• Must have at least two (2) years of relevant experience or education in quantity food production.
• Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds occasionally.
• Must be able to accurately perform mathematics and recipe conversion calculations.
• Must be able to read, write, understand and communicate in English.
• Must be able to stand up for four (4) hours at a time.
• Possess safe knife-handling skills.
• Regular attendance is an essential qualification for this position.

Continued Employment Conditions

• Passing a knife skills test during the probation period.
• Passing brand training during the probation period.
• Passing the Food Safety test during the probation period.

Pay and Benefits

Pay Range: $24.04 to $28.74 an hour; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type: Civil‑Service & Non‑Faculty Labor Represented Staff

University benefits include:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree‑seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low‑cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer‑paid life insurance
• Employee well‑being program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

Diversity and Inclusion

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.

Employment Requirements

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.