Garde Manger Cook / Cold Side Cook

R365hire; Homewood (IL); On-site; USD 30,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Air Conditioned Kitchen

Free food & snacks

Training & development

Job summary

R365hire in Homewood, IL seeks a Garde Manger Cook to handle cold station prep, desserts, and salads with strict attention to quality and presentation.

You will work evenings and weekends in a fast-paced kitchen, ensuring food safety, portion control, and seamless collaboration with chefs and line staff.

Qualifications

• Proven kitchen experience, specifically in cold station work and baking.
• Proficient knife skills, safe operation of commercial kitchen tools and equipment, and strong attention to detail.
• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods; lift up to 50 lbs.
• Clear verbal and written communication; strong multitasking under pressure.
• Certifications: Food Handler Certificate and Restaurant Sexual Harassment Training Certificate required within 21 days.

Responsibilities

• Prepare, cook, assemble, and plate salads, desserts, and cold menu items per recipes and presentation guidelines.
• Maintain portion control and culinary standards to ensure consistency and minimize waste.
• Monitor temperatures with calibrated thermometers; ensure proper cold storage and sanitation codes.
• Follow allergy and dietary protocols to ensure guest safety.
• Monitor station inventory and communicate low stock to management.

Skills

Baking

Cold station prep

Knife skills

Attention to detail

Communication

Tools

Thermometers

Food scales

Job description

Benefits:

• Air Conditioned Kitchen
• Free food & snacks
• Training & development

Position Overview

The Garde Manger Cook is a key member of our kitchen team, responsible for the preparation, assembly, and presentation of our cold-side menu offerings—currently focusing on our desserts and salads—in accordance with restaurant standards.

This role requires a high degree of culinary competence, excellent attention to detail, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment. Because this role heavily involves dessert preparation and presentation, our ideal candidate is an experienced baker who takes pride in quality and consistency.

Schedule & Hours

This position offers a fixed weekly schedule:

• Wednesday: 3:00 PM – Close
• Thursday: 3:00 PM – Close
• Friday: 2:00 PM – Close
• Saturday: 12:00 PM – Close
• Sunday: 12:00 PM – Close
• Monday & Tuesday: OFF

(Must be available to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as scheduled.)

Key Responsibilities

• Cold Station Execution: Prepare, cook, assemble, and plate salads, desserts, and cold menu items according to established recipes and presentation guidelines.
• Quality & Portion Control: Maintain strict portion control and culinary standards to ensure dish consistency, minimize waste, and manage costs.
• Food Safety & Temperature Control: Routinely monitor food temperatures using calibrated thermometers; ensure proper cold storage and adherence to all health and sanitation codes.
• Allergy & Dietary Compliance: Follow strict protocols for food allergies and special dietary requests to ensure guest safety.
• Inventory Management: Monitor station inventory levels and communicate low stock promptly to management and front-of-house staff.
• Communication & Collaboration: Work closely with the kitchen coordinator, chefs, and line staff to maintain smooth service flow and report any quality issues or service delays immediately.
• Station Maintenance: Clean and sanitize station, tools, and equipment throughout and at the end of every shift. Complete additional supportive kitchen tasks as assigned.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Experience: Proven kitchen experience, specifically in cold station work and baking.
• Skills: Proficient knife skills, safe operation of commercial kitchen tools and equipment, and strong attention to detail.
• Physical & Environmental Requirements:
  • Ability to stand and walk for extended periods during busy shifts.
  • Ability to safely lift and carry up to 50 lbs.
  • Comfortable working in close quarters, varied temperature zones, and a fast-paced, high-noise kitchen environment.
• Soft Skills: Clear verbal and written communication skills; strong multitasking ability under pressure.
• Certifications (Required within 21 days of hire):
  • Food Handler Certificate
  • Restaurant Sexual Harassment Training Certificate