Culinary Assistant

woodlandfoods; Waukegan (IL); On-site; USD 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

401k with company match

Paid time off

Tuition reimbursement

Vision Insurance

Job summary

Woodland Gourmet seeks a Culinary Assistant to keep the Innovation Center customer-ready and organized. You will support chefs, maintain par levels and assist with product testing and events.

Ideal candidates are meticulous, proactive and able to thrive in a fast-paced culinary environment while upholding strict cleanliness and safety standards.

Qualifications

• Candidates should be highly organized with excellent cleanliness and attention to detail.
• Able to communicate clearly with chefs, coworkers and guests in a fast-paced environment.
• Punctual, dependable and able to work independently with minimal supervision.

Responsibilities

• Keep the Innovation Center clean, organized and customer-ready at all times.
• Support chefs during preparation, tastings and customer visits.
• Maintain par levels for ingredients, supplies and equipment; assist with inventory.
• Prepare Center for events, set up rooms, and assist during tours and demonstrations.
• Handle waste, sanitation and safety tasks following company policies.

Skills

Organization

Cleanliness

Attention to detail

Communication

Punctuality

Independent work

Job description

Title: Culinary Assistant

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Reports To: Senior Culinary Director

Department: Culinary

Location: Waukegan, IL

Job Summary

The Innovation Center Culinary Assistant is responsible foralways keeping Woodland Gourmet’sstate-of-the-artInnovation Centercustomer-ready. This position is a key member of theCulinaryteam and will help create the clean, organized, professional and welcoming environment our customers and guests expect.

This is more than a cleaning position. The Culinary Assistant will take ownership of the day-to-day condition of the Center, support chefs during preparation and customer presentations,maintainproduct and supply par levels, andassistwith internal blend and product testing. The right candidate will take genuine pride in the space, notice what needs attention before being asked, and understand that consistent execution behind the scenes has a major impact on how Woodland Gourmet is viewed.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Maintain the entire Innovation Center in a consistently clean, orderly,professionaland customer-ready condition.Including kitchens, demonstration and presentation areas, storage spaces, dish areas,equipmentand supporting workspaces.
• Follow all company sanitation, food safety, personal hygiene, chemicalhandlingand withapplicable requirements.
• Wash, sanitize, safety procedures;maintainaccuratecleaning and sanitation practicesin accordance dry, inspect andproperly storecookware, utensils,smallwares,serviceware, presentation pieces and equipment.
• Complete daily,weeklyand scheduled deep-cleaning assignments, including floors, walls, work surfaces, ovens, ranges, hoods, vents, dish equipment, refrigeration, storageareasand otherequipment asassigned.
• Inspect the Center throughout the workday and promptly address spills, clutter, depleted supplies, improperly storeditemsor any condition that could affect safety,efficiencyor the guest experience.
• Restock ingredients, finished products, disposables, chemicals, linens,smallwaresand other supplies;maintainestablished par levels and communicate shortages before they affect operations.
• Receive, rotate, label, date and organize products and supplies using proper food-safety and inventorypractices, including FIFO where applicable.
• Keepingredient, product,equipmentand storage areas clearlyidentifiedand consistently organized so theCulinaryteam can work efficiently.
• Monitor dish-machine operation, wash and rinse temperatures, chemicallevelsand general equipment condition; report concerns promptly andassistwith routine deliming and care as directed.
• Remove waste,recyclingand food debris safely and promptly, andmaintainwaste-handling areas to a high standard.

Culinary & Customer Visit Support

• Support Culinary team food preparation, miseenplace, ingredient gathering, weighing, scaling and basic production tasks under chef direction.
• Assistwith in-house blend evaluations, product testing, samplepreparationand scaling of ingredients while following written instructions andmaintainingaccuracy.
• Help prepare the Center for customer visits, presentations, tastings, tours andspecial events, including room setup, staging, service support,replenishmentandtimelybreakdown.
• Remain attentive and professional during guest visits, respond quickly to teamneedsand help ensure service is smooth,quietand unobtrusive.
• Reset kitchens and presentation areasimmediatelyfollowing meetings andeventsso the Center is ready for the next use.
• Assistchefs and other team members with reasonable operational needs that support the success of theCulinaryteam and Innovation Center.

Qualifications/Requirements

• English and/or bilingual communication skillspreferred
• Able to communicate clearly and respectfully with chefs, coworkers, leaders,customersand guests.
• Able to work efficiently in a fast-paced environment without sacrificing cleanliness,accuracyor professionalism.
• Flexible schedule and willingness to work occasional early mornings, evenings or extended days based on customer visits,presentationsandspecial events.
• Prior experience in foodservice, culinary operations, sanitation, dishwashing, production,hospitalityor a related environment preferred.
• Current Woodland Gourmet experience and familiarity with our ingredients, products,standardsand culture strongly preferred.

Skills

• Exceptional organization,cleanlinessand attention to detail; able tomaintainhigh standardsconsistently, not only when directed.
• Positive attitude, strong work ethic,and genuine willingness to learn, accept coaching and follow directions.
• Dependable,punctualand able to work independently whileremainingresponsive to changing team priorities.
• Work calmly,quicklyand quietly when customer meetings,tastingsor presentations are in progress.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical requirements described here represent those that an employee must meet to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be provided to help individuals with disabilities perform these vital functions. The job typical requires standing and walking for extended periods of time, perform repetitive hand-on tasks, frequently bending, reaching stretching, pushing, pulling, carrying and moving throughout the kitchen, storage and presentation areas. Ability to lift and carry up to 40 pounds; heavier items require team lifting or appropriate equipment. Working around heat, steam, moisture, cleaning chemicals, sharp tools and commercial kitchen equipment while using required PPE and safe work practices. cold temperatures, wet environments, and food processing equipment. Ability to wear required PPE, including hair nets, gloves, and protective footwear, etc

Compensation

This document in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Woodland Gourmet hires exceptional people to perform a wide variety of important functions that contribute to the success of our organization. We offer a competitive compensation package with benefits. The estimated pay rate for role is $18 – 22/hour. This position is eligible for an annual bonus (based on the incentive program terms and conditions). Based on your qualifications, previous experience, and transferable skills, the company will determine, at its discretion, the hourly rate offered and will reflect the market conditions and cost of living for your geographic location.

Our benefits program is designed to support our team in leading healthy, productive, and fulfilling lives. We deeply value the contributions of our team members and are committed to offering a competitive total compensation package. Additionally, we offer medical, prescription drug plans, dental, life insurance, short-term and long-term disability, vision insurance, flexible spending account, health savings account, tuition reimbursement, employee assistance program, voluntary benefits (hospital, critical illness, personal accident, legal & identify theft), 401k with company match, paid family leave, paid holidays and paid time off.

E-Verify

Woodland Gourmet is a participant in the federal E-Verify program. As part of the hiring process, we will verify the information provided on your Form I-9 to confirm your eligibility to work in the United States.E-Verify is an Internet-based system that compares information from your Form I-9 to government records to confirm employment eligibility. For more information on E-Verify and your rights, please visit E-Verify website

Equal Employment Opportunity

Woodland Gourmet assures equal employment opportunity in all its hiring and employment policies and practices. This includes all aspects of employment, such as recruiting, hiring, promotions, transfers, demotions, layoffs or terminations, compensation, benefits, training, company-sponsored education, social and recreational programs or events, and all other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment. These policies and practices are administered without regard to “legally protected categories” such as: race, color, religion, national origin, age, gender, disability, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation or sexual orientation, pregnancy status or medical conditions related to childbirth, and/or any other factor protected by law