Head Cook

Alpharus Health; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 40,000 - 58,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental & vision insurance

403(b) retirement plan

Disability & life insurance

Flexible Spending Accounts

PSLF

18 PTO days per year

9 company holidays

Work-life balance

Tuition reimbursement

CEU access

eLearning

Job summary

Alpharus Health seeks a dedicated Head Cook for its residential treatment facility in Chicago. You will prepare nutritious meals, maintain kitchen cleanliness, and assist with menu planning to support recovery-focused care.

The role requires ServSafe certification, strong organizational skills, and the ability to manage inventory and budgets in a structured setting. This is a full-time position with meaningful impact on residents' wellbeing.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Current ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certificate required by date of hire.
• In-depth knowledge of quantity food preparation, menu planning, and inventory control.

Responsibilities

• Consult with nutrition or dietetics professional to ensure menus and procedures comply with health regulations.
• Plan menus to meet client needs, control costs, and minimize waste.
• Oversee kitchen staff, train employees, schedule work, and enforce policies.

Skills

Food preparation

Menu planning

Inventory control

Supervision

Budgeting

Interpersonal skills

Computer skills

Valid driver’s license

Education

High school diploma or GED

ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certificate

Tools

Word processing

Spreadsheet software

Inventory tracking systems

Job description

Head Cook

Who is Alpharus Health?

Alpharus Health is a national nonprofit behavioral health provider dedicated to helping people build healthier lives. For nearly 60 years, we have provided substance use and mental health treatment that helps individuals, families, and communities find healing, hope, and lasting wellbeing. Our mission is simple: We help people build healthier lives. By combining clinical expertise with a person-centered approach, we help people build the skills, resilience, and support systems needed to create meaningful, lasting change.

Why join us?

Consider joining our team, where your impact can be truly meaningful. Our organization focuses on delivering high quality clinical services as a recognized leader in evidence-based treatment proven to get results. By joining our team, you'll be working for an organization that values you and aims to be an employer of choice. You can expect to be part of a vibrant culture that emphasizes teamwork and professional growth. When you join us, you have the opportunity to find both personal and professional fulfillment by aligning your career with your values.

We are seeking a dedicated Head Cook to join our residential treatment facility, providing nutritious and well-prepared meals for residents undergoing substance abuse treatment. In this role, you will support the recovery process by ensuring quality food preparation, maintaining a clean and organized kitchen, and assisting with menu planning. This is an excellent opportunity to make a meaningful impact in a supportive and structured environment.

Office location: Chicago, IL, US, 60637

Location: 1706 N Kedzie Ave. Chicago, IL 60647

• https://www.gatewayfoundation.org/locations/chicago-kedzie/

Schedule: Tuesday through Saturday from 9:00am-5:30pm

This is a Full Time position scheduled Tuesday through Saturday from 9:00am-5:30pm.

The Head Cook is responsible for:

• Consults with designated nutrition or dietetics contracted professional to ensure planned menus, and kitchen procedures and operations, are in compliance with applicable health and nutrition regulations and standards.
• Plans menus in accordance with client needs and preferences, as well as to control costs, limit waste and spoilage, and ensure effective utilization of food items.
• Responsible for organizing and overseeing work of personnel and assigned clients engaged in preparing and serving meals, and cleaning kitchen equipment and work areas. Provides training, completes work schedules and assignments, monitors and evaluates performance, and enforces area policies and procedures.
• Reviews menus and ensures all items are prepared in accordance with established meal schedules, recipes and standards including taste, temperature, appearance, and special diets.
• Regularly performs food preparation, cooking, and serving duties
• Responsible for ensuring kitchen work, storage, and serving areas are clean, sanitary and orderly. Performs, or oversees others engaged in, kitchen sanitation tasks including washing and cleaning utensils and equipment.
• Orders food items and kitchen supplies in accordance with established budget from approved vendors, and ensures food items required for planned menus are on hand. Ensures proper inventory control by monitoring requisition logs and utilization, and ensuring stock labeling and rotation procedures are followed.
• Maintains area records and logs, such as time worked, food requisitions, meals served, equipment maintenance, inventory levels, and so forth. Completes required surveys and forms related to meals served, and health and safety standards and regulations.
• Assists in planning budgets for assigned areas.
• May operate Center vehicle to pick up or deliver food items and supplies.

Job Requirements:

• High school dipolma or GED.
• Current ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certificate by date of hire
• In-depth knowledge of quantity food preparation procedures and standards, menu planning, and inventory control in order to plan and oversee kitchen operations at a level normally acquired through two to three years progressively more responsible, related experience. Three to six months on-the-job experience to acquire necessary familiarity with area policies and procedures.
• Ability to use computer keyboard and standard word processing and spreadsheet applications preferred.
• Interpersonal skills necessary to assign work to others, explain area procedures and standards, and develop and maintain cooperative working relationships.
• Analytical skills necessary to plan and evaluate menus, organize and oversee area operations, and monitor area expenses and compliance with standards and regulations.
• Valid local driver's license, and at least 25 years of age.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to lift objects weighing up to 30 pounds regularly, and up to 60 pounds frequently.
• Ability to stand stationary up to two hours at a time regularly, and up to four hours frequently.
• Ability to walk or move about for more than six hours at a time.
• Ability to stoop and bend, ability to reach and grab with arms and hands, and manual dexterity to manipulate kitchen implements and utensils.
• Normal or corrected vision necessary to read recipes and instructions, and measure or portion food items. Color vision and sense of smell necessary to inspect food items for spoilage.
• Communication abilities necessary to answer telephones, relay messages, and convey information and instructions.

Compensation:

• $19.27 - $28.12 per hour
• Starting rates are determined based on years of experience, qualifications, and relevant skills.
• Alpharus Health conducts annual performance reviews, with merit increase eligbility determined by employee performance and organizational financial performance.

Benefits at Alpharus:

Health and Wellness:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and dependents
• Employee wellness program promoting health and fitness and offering cash-saving premiums
• Employee assistance programs focused on mental health

Financial Wellbeing:

• 403(b) Retirement Plan with 3% employer match
• Short-term and Long-term Disability and Life and AD&D Insurance paid for by Alpharus
• Flexible Spending Accounts for medical and dependent care
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

Flexibility and Time Off:

• 18 paid time off days per year - accrual rates increase with years of service
• 9 paid company holidays
• Work-life-balance

Personal Development:

• Training & Development Programs
• Tuition Reimbursement - up to $5,250 per calendar year
• eLearning access to online courses that provide CEU's and job-related training
• Clinical Supervision: Formal and informal guidance

Alpharus Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer: Race/Color/Sex/Sexual Orientation/ Gender Identity/Religion/National Origin/Disability/Vets. Please view Equal Employment Opportunity Posters provided by OFCCP here.

Nearest Major Market: Chicago