Cook II-Cafeteria

ChristianaCare; Newark (DE); On-site; USD 28,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

ChristianaCare is seeking a Cook I to prepare and serve meals for patients and customers in Newark, DE. The role requires following standardized recipes, opening/closing duties, and supervising Cook I staff while maintaining quality and safety standards.

The position offers rotating shifts (5:00am-2:30pm, 6:00am-2:30pm, 7:00am-3:30pm, 9:30am-5:00pm, 10:30am-7:00pm) with weekend and holiday requirements, and pays hourly between $20.24 and $30.36.

Qualifications

• High school graduate or equivalent.
• Six months food service experience preferred.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted.

Responsibilities

• Greets patients, visitors and staff with a friendly, service-oriented attitude.
• Prepares a wide variety of foods according to recipes and procedures.
• Rotating shifts include early mornings, weekends, and some holidays.
• Adheres to sanitation/safety policies and department procedures.
• Provides on-the-job education to Cook I staff.

Skills

Food service knowledge

Policies & procedures

Read recipes

Recipe math

Communication skills

Judgement under pressure

Stress management

Team collaboration

Measure ingredients

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Job Details

Do you want to work at one of the Top 100 Hospitals in the nation? We are guided by our values of Love and Excellence and are passionate about delivering health, not just health care. Come join us at ChristianaCare!

ChristianaCare, with Hospitals in Wilmington and Newark, DE, as well as Elkton, MD, is one of the largest health care providers in the Mid-Atlantic Region. Named one of “America’s Best Hospitals” by U.S. News & World Report, we have an excess of 1,100 beds between our hospitals and are committed to providing the best patient care in the region. We are proud to that Christiana Hospital, Wilmington Hospital, our Ambulatory Services, and HomeHealth have all received ANCC Magnet Recognition®.

PRIMARY FUNCTION

To prepare and serve food to patients and customers according to standardized recipes. Responsible for opening and closing the department, which includes cash handling procedures. Provides direction to Cook I’s and Service Assistants. Demonstrates ability to convert recipes and can evaluate and communicate forecasting food changes. This role requires potentially rotating shifts that include 5:00am-2:30pm; 6:00am-2:30pm; 7:00am-3:30pm; 9:30am-5:00pm; and 10:30am-7:00pm as well as EVERY OTHER WEEKEND REQUIRED AND SOME HOLIDAYS.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Demonstrates a patient/customer “comes first” attitude. Greets patients, visitors, customers, and co-workers with a smile and pleasant manner. Demonstrates quality customer service. Practices service recovery.
• Demonstrates understanding and executes CCHS Core Values – excellence and love. Interacts with patients, families, co-workers, management, physicians, and other department staff in a compassionate manner, demonstrating empathy, sensitivity, patience, and mutual respect.
• Demonstrates ability to read and follow assignments, completing within established time frames and maintains a high level of productivity without direct supervision.
• Communicates pertinent and vital information and feedback to co-workers and supervisors. Follows written and verbal instructions as directed.
• Assumes an active role to keep informed about changes in policies, procedures and equipment completes mandatory education, attends and participates at meetings, and is willing to be taught, coached, and/or mentored by others.
• Adheres to Christiana Care Health System and department policies and procedures.
• Complies with Christiana Care and department sanitation/safety responsibilities in the performance of all job assignments in accordance with Federal and State Health codes.
• Prepares a wide variety of foods, such as: soups, sauces, gravies, dressings, meats, fish, poultry, fresh, frozen, canned, and dehydrated vegetables, ensuring the attractiveness, palatability and temperature of food in accordance with standardized recipes and standard operating procedures.
• Provide on the job continuing education to cook I and II staff.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• High school graduate or equivalent.
• Six months food service experience preferred.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL, AND ABILITY REQUIREMENTS

• Knowledge of food service equipment operation and use.
• Knowledge of departmental policies and procedures.
• Ability to read and follow standardized recipes.
• Ability to calculate recipe quantities and extensions using simple math.
• Ability to communicate verbally and in writing.
• Ability to exercise judgement in response to customer/patient demands.
• Ability to manage stress in a highly visible service organization.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers and other departments.
• Ability to measure food quantities.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Must pass physical examination: drug-free; able to hear; able to see; able to speak; able to ambulate. Ability to lift, carry, pull, push, reach, handle, stand, stoop and bend to accommodate foodservice demands on a continuous basis. Must have developed sense of olfactory and gustatory abilities.

Hourly Pay Range: $20.24 - $30.36

This pay rate/range represents ChristianaCare’s good faith and reasonable estimate of compensation at the time of posting. The actual salary within this range offered to a successful candidate will depend on individual factors including without limitation skills, relevant experience, and qualifications as they relate to specific job requirements.

Christiana Care Health System is an equal opportunity employer, firmly committed to prohibiting discrimination, whose staff is reflective of its community, and considers qualified applicants for open positions without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender identity or expression, age, veteran status, disability, pregnancy, citizenship status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.

Post End Date

Oct 23, 2026

EEO Posting Statement

ChristianaCare offers a competitive suite of employee benefits to maximize the wellness of you and your family, including health insurance, paid time off, retirement, an employee assistance program. To learn more about our benefits for eligible positions visit https://careers.christianacare.org/benefits-compensation/