Cook II, Full/Part Time, Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa

Monterey Plaza Hotel; Monterey (CA); Hybrid; USD 30,000 - 41,000; Full time

Job summary

Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa is seeking a Cook II to join a prestigious culinary team in Monterey, CA. The role involves preparing a la carte items, coordinating kitchen timing, and maintaining high quality as part of a four-star property.

The position requires strong cooking techniques, teamwork, and a readiness to work in a fast-paced environment. A high school diploma is preferred, with culinary training or 3–5 years’ experience preferred.

Qualifications

• Must have basic knowledge of food and beverage preparation and food presentation service standards.
• Excellent techniques of cooking.
• Attention to detail in mise en place, execution and plating.
• Operates a wood oven for specialty food items.
• Able to work in a fast paced environment.
• Meets legal age requirements for the position.

Responsibilities

• Prepares a la carte hot and cold items for the Coastal Kitchen.
• Prepares and cooks food items according to the Hotel’s high standards of quality.
• Preps properly for service nightly.
• Cook food items per specifications and recipes as directed.
• Coordinate timing and preparation for nightly service.

Skills

Excellent techniques of cooking

Coordination on the line

Mise en place accuracy

Classic cooking techniques

Wood oven operation

Unit conversion by recipes

Clear instruction interpretation

Team communication

Organization

English reading/writing

Food safety awareness

Fast-paced environment tolerance

Education

High school diploma preferred

Formal culinary training or degree preferred

3–5 years culinary experience preferred

Job description

Cook II, Full/Part Time, Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa

Regular Full Time Monterey Plaza Hotel LP, Monterey, CA, US

Salary Range: $26.30 To $26.30 Hourly

The Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa is a luxury property that features four penthouse suites and over 22,000 square feet of meeting space that includes stunning and expansive exterior spaces. Banquets, the Coastal Kitchen and Schooners Bar restaurants, Tidal Coffee, and Room Service provide various outstanding dining options. The Lobby Lounge features libations, small bites, and live music most evenings. The Vista Blue Spa offers a wide array of services in a magnificent location on the penthouse suite level and is host to our Fitness Center. Shopping options include the Vista Blue Spa, Tidal Coffee, the Front Desk or via our onsite retail partners. Our group and leisure guests have spoken through Trip Advisor, ranking the Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa in first place for both business and leisure travel in Monterey year after year. The Monterey Plaza’s mission is to consistently operate as one team, to produce raving fans, loyal guests and associates while achieving annual financial expectations. Enthusiastically taking care of our guests defines hospitality at our property!

We are seeking a Cook II to join our outstanding culinary team.

Our talented cooks have the culinary training to create the dining experiences that we pride ourselves on. As a Cook II, you will work in tandem with the rest of the culinary team to ensure our Food and Beverage offerings are prepared to perfection. A passionate culinarian, you assume food preparation and execution responsibilities as befits a four-star establishment.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Prepares a la carte hot and cold items for the Coastal Kitchen.
• Prepares and cooks food items according to the Hotel’s high standards of quality.
  
• Preps properly for service nightly.
• Cook food items per specifications and recipes as directed.
• Prepare sauces/soups and other menu items per specifications and recipes.
• Coordinates timing and preparation of all items needed for production and execution of nightly service.
• Rotates stations periodically and as directed.
• Arrives to work at scheduled time and in a clean uniform per department specifications.
• Maintain highest standards of food handling, and sanitation per health code requirements.
• Attend all departmental and training sessions. Gather and distribute information to others.
• Stocks production areas for efficient daily operation.
  
• Sets-up, restocks and maintains food preparation areas, while adhering to recipes including specific knife cuts and correct cooking procedures.
• Cooks meals according to individual tickets according to specifications.
• Keeps work area clean and organized using soap and sanitizing agents.
• Maintains proper food temperature, out of the danger zone of 40 to 150 degrees.
• All other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Due to the cyclical nature of the hospitality industry, employees may be required to work varying schedules to reflect the business needs of the Hotel.

Regular attendance in conformance with the standards, which may be established by the Hotel from time to time, is essential to the successful performance of this position. Employees with irregular attendance will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination.

Upon employment, all employees are required to fully comply with the Hotel rules and regulations for the safe and efficient operation of the Hotel facilities.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Must have basic knowledge of food and beverage preparation and food presentation service standards.

• Excellent techniques of cooking.
• Ability to coordinate presentations with other cooks on the line
• Attention to detail in mise en place, execution and plating.
• Accomplished in classic cooking techniques, proper seasoning, and consistency of product execution.
• Operates a wood oven for specialty food items.
  
• Ability to equate units of measure as required by recipes.
• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form.
• Ability to communicate and work effectively with other team members.
• Excellent organizational skills
• Ability to read, listen, write and communicate effectively in English.
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as recipes and Banquet specification sheets, safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions and procedure manuals.
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
• Able to work in a fast paced environment.
• Meets legal age requirements for the position

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

Any combination of education and experience equivalent to graduation from high school or any other combination of education, training or experience that provides the required knowledge skills and abilities. High school diploma is preferred. Formal culinary training or degree in culinary arts or Hotel restaurant management preferred. Three to five years prior culinary experience is preferred.

CERTIFICATIONS/LICENSES

Food Handler certification required. Serve-save certification preferred.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and taste or smell. The employee frequently is required to walk, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to extreme heat and extreme cold. The employee is frequently exposed to moving mechanical parts. The employee is occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles and toxic or caustic chemicals. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud.

GROOMING

All employees must maintain a neat, clean and well-groomed appearance (specific standards available.)

PAY SCALE

The pay scale for this position is $26.30 per hour, with the position being eligible for a potential increase after six months.

The Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa is an equal employment opportunity employer. Company policy prohibits unlawful discrimination based on race, color, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, religion (including religious dress and grooming), sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity (including gender-related appearance and behavior), partnership status, pregnancy (childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical condition), age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, military or veteran status, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking, genetic information, marital status, ethnicity, alienage, citizenship status or any other protected classification, in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. Consistent with the American’s With Disabilities Act, applicants may request accommodation needed to complete the application process. Please contact the People and Culture Department if you have any questions regarding this policy.