Cook - Full Time - Crownsville

Gaudenzia, Inc.; Crownsville (MD); On-site; USD 36,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Excellent benefits

On-the-job training

Upward mobility

Educational assistance

Job summary

Gaudenzia, Inc. seeks a dedicated kitchen team member to ensure timely, nutritious meals and adherence to dietitian-approved menus and School Lunch Program criteria. The role requires at least one year of food preparation experience and a high school diploma or GED, with ServSafe certification preferred.

You will oversee inventory, budgeting, and reporting to Regional and Corporate Offices. Join a life-saving field that values dignity, accuracy, and teamwork, offering on-the-job training and

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required; ServSafe certification preferred.
• (Minimum) 1 year of food preparation experience.
• Knowledge of special dietary needs and menu planning.
• Ability to read, write, and communicate clearly; understand regulations and health standards.

Responsibilities

• Treat all clients and staff with dignity and respect.
• Ensure timely and nutritious meals for clients.
• Adhere to menus established by the dietitian and School Lunch Program criteria, including portion control.
• Order, inventory, and proper storage of food and paper goods 1–3 times weekly.
• Monitor food budget.
• Comply with Department of Health regulations regarding sanitation, operations, maintenance, and education for all kitchen activities.
• Supervise clients in the kitchen and ensure DOH compliance and facility policy.
• Assist in compiling reports and billing pertaining to kitchen functions to Regional and Corporate Offices.
• Attend operation meetings to review kitchen needs and discuss issues with staff supervisor twice weekly.
• Maintain records for School Lunch Program, CARF accreditation, and related programs.

Skills

Knowledge of food preparation

Meal planning for dietary needs

Mass meal production

Dietary knowledge

Reading/writing/communication

Math and unit conversion

Health regulations comprehension

Team collaboration

Education

High school diploma or GED

ServSafe certification preferred

Tools

ServSafe certification

Job description

We need hope-bringers and changemakers - because the work we all do matters.

Join a team that shows up for each other as much as we show up for our clients. At Gaudenzia, your purpose fuels progress - for yourself and others.

Gaudenzia's Mission:

Gaudenzia's Mission is to promote long-term recovery by providing comprehensive treatment and support to people with substance use disorder, co-occurring mental health disorders, and related conditions, regardless of individual circumstances.

Qualifications

Education/Training: Must have a minimum of a high school diploma or GED. A valid ServSafe certification is preferred.

Experience:

At least one (1) year of experience working in food preparation

• Knowledge of food preparation.
• Knowledge of special dietary needs and ability to plan menus to meet these needs
• Ability to plan nutritional meals meeting the needs of the client population being served.
• Ability to produce a large volume of meals on a daily basis.
• Knowledge of food costs control.
• Ability to secure and maintain active ServSafe certification.
• Ability to read, write, and communicate clearly.
• Ability to carry out basic math and unit conversion functions.
• Ability to establish and maintain working relations with staff and other agencies, clients, and the public.
• Ability to understand and comply with complex regulations.
• Ability to pass physical examination free of communicable disease.

Your Responsibilities In This Role May Include

• Treat all clients and staff with dignity and respect.
• Ensure timely and nutritious meals for clients.
• Adhere to menus established by the dietitian in accordance with proper nutritional guidelines and School Lunch Program criteria, including the maintenance of portion control.
• Ensure the timely and accurate ordering (1-3 times weekly), inventory, and proper storage of food and paper goods.
• Monitor food budget.
• Comply with Department of Health regulations regarding sanitation, operations, maintenance, and education for all kitchen activities.
• Supervise clients in the kitchen department and ensure that kitchen operations are maintained in accordance with the DOH regulations and facility policy and procedures manual.
• Assist in the compilation of reports and billing pertaining to kitchen functions to Regional and Corporate Offices.
• Attend operation meetings to review kitchen needs and report client-specific issues and meet with staff supervisor two times weekly to discuss existing problems and communicate the status of the kitchen.
• Maintain accurate records for School Lunch Program, CARF accreditation, and any other programs in place.
• Obtain/Maintain Food Manager's Certification, where applicable.

What We Offer:

Competitive Pay - Excellent Benefits - On The Job Training - Upward mobility - Educational assistance to help you grow with us in this life saving field!

For additional details regarding our benefits, please visit: https://www.gaudenzia.org/careers/

Our Operating Principles:

• We hold client care as our top priority.
• We assume good intentions.
• We are present, we connect, & we communicate with transparency, dignity, and respect.
• We make data-driven decisions with courage, challenge the status quo, find innovative ways to grow Gaudenzia & each other.
• We support each other publicly & privately in all circumstances.
• We provide & accept constructive, honest, respectful, and timely feedback with an open mind & without personalization.
• We operate with integrity, focus on outcomes, & have a bias for action.
• We follow through on agreements & honor commitments prioritized with a sense of urgency - someone's life may depend on it.

Gaudenzia is proud to be an employer of choice - and a treatment provider of choice - in the substance use and co-occurring disorders treatment field. We work hard to foster an inclusive, supportive environment where our employees and clients always feel safe and welcome.

Come work with us!

Our Agency is committed to the principles of equal employment. We believe in fostering a positive work environment in which every employee is treated with respect. Our staff hiring and recruitment practices are grounded in fairness, transparency, and merit. All employment decisions are based on job-related qualifications, relevant skills, experience, and alignment with our mission and values. We actively recruit from a broad range of educational and professional backgrounds to attract the most qualified candidates, ensuring equal opportunity for all applicants without preference or discrimination. Our process uses consistent and clear evaluation criteria to support objective decision-making. By emphasizing accountability, efficiency, and integrity throughout every stage--from job posting to onboarding--we build a workforce defined by excellence, professionalism, and commitment to our shared purpose. Gaudenzia is dedicated to the fulfillment of this policy regarding all aspects of employment, including but not limited to recruiting, hiring, placement, transfer, training, promotion, rates of pay, and other compensation, termination, and all other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment.