Culinary Worker II (Blue Wall Cafe)

UMass Amherst; Amherst (MA); On-site; USD 32,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

UMass Amherst in Amherst, MA is seeking a Culinary Worker II for Blue Wall Cafe. The role involves cooking, cleaning, and serving food in a fast-paced dining operation. Shift is full-time and onsite, with a 12 pm-8 pm schedule, designated essential personnel.

The position requires a food-handling certification and knowledge of safe food practices. The incumbent will follow recipes, operate kitchen equipment, and collaborate with Cook I-III staff to deliver meals while maintaining high standards

Qualifications

• At least six months of food service experience or completion of a culinary certificate program.
• Must be certified as a food handler within six months of employment through a recognized program approved by UMass.
• Ability to cook a variety of simple meals and assist with more complex dishes.
• Ability to perform display cooking.
• Knowledge of sanitary methods for handling and serving food.
• Ability to use kitchen, dining room and food service equipment.
• Ability to read and follow recipes.

Responsibilities

• Cook food in large quantities following recipes and SOPs.
• Read computer-generated recipes and menus for simple meals.
• Clean and sanitize cooking areas, equipment, and utensils.
• Prepare ingredients and portions for cooking.
• Transport and serve food to dining areas.
• Assist with more complex dishes as needed.
• Roast, fry, boil, broil, and season foods as required.
• Measure ingredients and prepare soups, salads, gravies, sauces, and desserts.
• Ensure food quality and proper temperatures for safety.
• Interact with customers during display cooking and service.
• Maintain cleanliness and food storage standards.

Skills

Food service experience

Cook simple meals

Read recipes

Customer interaction

Display cooking (where applicable)

Education

Culinary certificate program

ServSafe certification

Tools

Kitchen equipment handling

Job description

Title: Culinary Worker II (Blue Wall Cafe)

Executive Area: Administration and Finance

College/School/MBU: Auxiliary Enterprises

Department: Blue Wall Cafe

Work Location: Amherst

Schedule: full time

Work Arrangement: Onsite

Job Summary

Performs routine manual and domestic job duties in a food service operation including: cooking, cleaning and serving food. The basic purpose of this work is to perform cooking tasks and assist with cleaning and food serving work as needed.

Essential Functions

• Cooks food in large quantities by following recipes and standard operating procedures. May be required to perform display cooking as assigned.
• Reads computer generated recipes and menus for the preparation of simple meals.
• Cleans cooking equipment, work areas, food areas, counters, floors, food carts, trays, furniture, utensils, dishes, pots and pans by scraping, hand washing and machine washing.
• Peels, chops, washes and cooks foods for simple dishes.
• Transports food to and from storage areas, loads food carts, transports food to serving areas and serves food to diners.
• Assists other food services staff with the preparation of more complex dishes.
• Roasts, fries, boils, broils and seasons meats, fish, poultry, vegetables and other foods required for daily meals.
• Measures and mixes ingredients according to recipes.
• Uses kitchen utensils and equipment to prepare soups, salads, desserts, dressings, gravies, sauces, and stews.
• Operates cutlery, grinders and slicers to prepare and portion food for cooking.
• Evaluates food for quality, quantity, appearance, temperature and taste by tasting and observing to determine proper freshness, preparation and portioning.
• Stores foods in sanitary storage areas and at proper temperature to prevent spoilage.
• Communicates with Cook I, Cook II and Cook III employees to report food and menu problems.
• Makes coffee.
• Separates and removes trash and garbage, and places them in designated containers.

Other Functions

Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Incumbents of this position must have at least six (6) months of food service experience or completion of culinary certificate program.
• Incumbents must be certified as food handlers within six months of the appointment start date through a recognized program approved by the University of Massachusetts (i.e. ServSafe).
• Ability to cook a variety of simple meals and to assist in the preparation of more complex dishes.
• Ability to perform display cooking.
• Knowledge of approved sanitary methods and procedures for the handling and serving of food.
• Knowledge of approved sanitary methods and procedures for the care and use of kitchen, dining room and food service equipment.
• Ability to use kitchen, dining room and food service equipment.
• Ability to give and follow simple oral and written instructions.
• Ability to establish rapport, maintain harmonious working relationships and deal effectively with customers and agency personnel from varied backgrounds.
• Ability to read and understand recipes.
• Willingness to communicate with customers while performing display cooking.

Additional Details

This position is designated as essential personnel.

Working Conditions

Work is performed in custodial or dining service environments, and entails prolonged standing, carrying loads, and use of cleaning chemicals or food service equipment.

Work Schedule and Work Arrangement

Monday-Friday; 12 pm - 8 pm.

Salary Information

Pay Grade: AFSCME Grade 09

This position will remain open for the time period required by any applicable collective bargaining agreement and will continue until a suitable candidate pool is identified.