Culinary Center Support Specialist

Woodland Foods, Ltd.; Waukegan (IL); On-site; USD 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical plan

Dental plan

Vision plan

401(k) with company match

Tuition reimbursement

Paid time off

Job summary

Woodland Gourmet is seeking an Innovation Center Culinary Assistant to maintain a state-of-the-art center that is clean, organized and welcoming for guests. You will support chefs during preparation and demonstrations, manage par levels, assist with product testing, and help prepare for customer visits and events.

The role emphasizes pride in the space, proactive attention to detail, and collaboration with the Culinary team to ensure a smooth guest experience and high standards behind the scenes.

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• Maintain the entire Innovation Center in a consistently clean, orderly, professional and customer-ready condition.
• Follow all company sanitation, food safety, personal hygiene, chemical handling and with applicable requirements.
• Wash, sanitize, safety procedures; maintain accurate cleaning and sanitation practices in accordance dry, inspect and properly store cookware, utensils, smallwares, serviceware, presentation pieces and equipment.
• Complete daily, weekly and scheduled deep-cleaning assignments, including floors, walls, work surfaces, ovens, ranges, hoods, vents, dish equipment, refrigeration, storage areas and other equipment as assigned.
• Inspect the Center throughout the workday and promptly address spills, clutter, depleted supplies, improperly stored items or any condition that could affect safety, efficiency or the guest experience.
• Restock ingredients, finished products, disposables, chemicals, linens, smallwares and other supplies; maintain established par levels and communicate shortages before they affect operations.
• Receive, rotate, label, date and organize products and supplies using proper food-safety and inventory practices, including FIFO where applicable.
• Keep ingredient, product, equipment and storage areas clearly identified and consistently organized so the Culinary team can work efficiently.
• Monitor dish-machine operation, wash and rinse temperatures, chemical levels and general equipment condition; report concerns promptly and assist with routine deliming and care as directed.
• Remove waste, recycling and food debris safely and promptly, and maintain waste-handling areas to a high standard.
• Support Culinary team food preparation, mise en place, ingredient gathering, weighing, scaling and basic production tasks under chef direction.
• Assist with in-house blend evaluations, product testing, sample preparation and scaling of ingredients while following written instructions and maintaining accuracy.
• Help prepare the Center for customer visits, presentations, tastings, tours and special events, including room setup, staging, service support, replenishment and timely breakdown.
• Remain attentive and professional during guest visits, respond quickly to team needs and help ensure service is smooth, quiet and unobtrusive.
• Reset kitchens and presentation areas immediately following meetings and events so the Center is ready for the next use.
• Assist chefs and other team members with reasonable operational needs that support the success of the Culinary team and Innovation Center.

Skills

Communication

Work ethic

Teamwork

Attention to detail

Fast-paced environment

Job description

Woodland Gourmet is seeking an Innovation Center Culinary Assistant to maintain a state-of-the-art center that is clean, organized and welcoming for guests. You will support chefs during preparation and demonstrations, manage par levels, assist with product testing, and help prepare for customer visits and events.

The role emphasizes pride in the space, proactive attention to detail, and collaboration with the Culinary team to ensure a smooth guest experience and high standards behind the scenes.