Cook - PRN/Days

Houston Methodist; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is looking for a dedicated Cook to join their team. This role involves preparing high-quality meals for patients, staff, and visitors while adhering to strict safety and quality standards. You will be responsible for both hot and cold food production, ensuring that all meals are prepared on time and meet the required standards. The ideal candidate will have a passion for food service, strong communication skills, and the ability to work collaboratively with the kitchen team. If you are eager to contribute to a meaningful mission and enjoy a dynamic work environment, this position offers an exciting opportunity to make a difference in the community.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent preferred.
• One year of food service or cooking experience required.

Responsibilities

• Prepare high-quality food for patients, staff, and visitors.
• Ensure compliance with food safety and quality standards.
• Assist in food service areas as needed.

Skills

Food Preparation

Cooking Techniques

Food Safety Standards

Recipe Following

Time Management

Education

High School diploma or equivalent

Job description

At Houston Methodist, the Cook position is responsible for ensuring a high volume/high quality food service setup/assembly for the customer (patients, staff and visitors) that is presented and served within the set standards. This position is responsible for both hot and cold food production including seasoning, preparing, and cooking of various meats, vegetables, soups and sauces and on measuring and following recipes as well as garnishing and packaging. This position communicates with peers and management regarding hazards identified in the workplace and performs all duties and responsibilities projecting the Houston Methodist service image and support of the mission statement. The Cook position adheres to the HM Food and Nutrition Services Standards of Appearance and complies with relevant local Food Ordinances and federal and state regulatory agencies, reviewing and maintaining production records and cooling charts according to Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) guidelines. This position may be asked to assist in other food and nutrition service areas, as needed.

PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Interacts in a positive, professional manner with patients, family, and staff. Communicates clearly and professionally to promote both work efforts and problem resolution.
• Works, in conjunction with the Sr Cook and Catering staff, ensuring the food is prepared on time, is of high quality, and transferred efficiently.
• Notifies management appropriately with changes to menu items due to unforeseen events, i.e. spoilage, shortage, etc.
• Contributes towards improvement of department scores for employee engagement, i.e. peer-to-peer accountability.

SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Prepares food according to standardized recipes, menu, safe food handling and time schedule. Accurately completes cold and hot food preparation, as assigned.
• Tastes food for palatability prior to each meal service to ensure highest quality.
• Reviews menus in advance to ensure supplies are in-house. Utilizes downtime for preparation of food items to ensure menus are ready at the specified time. Prepares food for the next day per retail or room service cycle menus. Prepares for scheduled catering events one day prior to event.
• Portions food according to diet and recipe. Garnishes food as instructed by Sr Cook and/or management.

QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Inspects all foods for quality, freshness, and appearance. Ensures all food beyond the expiration date is discarded. Labels and dates all food items for storage. Ensures the proper rotation of food items.
• Reports and corrects improper food, cooler, and warmer temperatures. Assists Sr Cook in monitoring and recording temperatures of food and refrigeration.
• Uses and follows all safety techniques in handling of equipment. Maintains proper sanitation in work area and equipment to comply with all federal and state regulatory agencies, including local Health Department, Fire Department, DNV, etc., cleaning immediate work area concurrently and cleaning large equipment per posted cleaning schedule.

FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Practices good cost control through the proper use and storage of food, supplies, and equipment. Minimizes food waste through proper usage.
• Utilizes resources with cost effectiveness and value creation in mind. Self-motivated to independently manage time effectively and prioritize daily tasks, assisting coworkers as needed.

GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Assists the Sr Cook or other responsible role with new food items from the creation to making it a menu item.
• Seeks opportunities to identify self-development needs and takes appropriate action. Ensures own career discussions occur with appropriate management. Completes and updates the My Development Plan on an ongoing basis.

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; the employee will also perform other reasonably related business/job duties as assigned. Houston Methodist reserves the right to revise job duties and responsibilities as the need arises.

EDUCATION

• High School diploma or equivalent education (examples include: GED, verification of homeschool equivalency, partial or full completion of post-secondary education, etc.) preferred.

WORK EXPERIENCE

• One year food service/cooking experience.