Head Cook

taherinternal; Lonsdale (MN); On-site; USD 52,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Work-Life balance: guaranteed hours,no

Free daily lunch

Uniforms provided

PPE provided

Employee training and development

Advancement opportunities

Culture of inclusion

Job summary

Taher, Inc. is seeking a Head Cook to join our team and lead a small kitchen crew in preparing meals from standardized recipes for school settings and other programs. You will ensure quality, timely service, and adherence to safety standards.

The role involves managing ordering, inventory, and cost controls, while mentoring staff and maintaining a productive kitchen under USDA and HACCP guidelines. Experience in school food service is preferred.

Qualifications

• 2 years experience in a school food service preferred
• Ability to identify and resolve problems in a timely manner
• Able to follow supervisors direction and lead a small team
• Strong communication skills with employees and client
• Able to follow spoken and written directions
• Ability to prioritize, plan and use time efficiently
• Ability to lift 30 pounds and stand for long periods of time
• Maintain confidentiality of student, staff, and parent information

Responsibilities

• Cooks and prepares food through standardized recipes
• Ensures meals meet quality standards and are prepared on time
• Directs kitchen staff and subs during meal prep, setup, and service
• Prepares items for regular and a la carte lines
• Lead a small staff and provide training
• Monitor equipment and temperatures of refrigeration and freezers
• Manage ordering, receiving, storing, and inventory control of perishables
• Adhere to HACCP standards and USDA regulations
• Conduct cost control and monitor menu costs and waste

Skills

Staff leadership

Communication skills

Time management

Problem solving

Food service knowledge

HACCP knowledge

Education

ServSafe Certificate

Job description

Taher, Inc. is growing and is looking for a Head Cook to join our team!

Essential Functions:

• Cooks and prepares a variety of food through standardized recipes
• Ensuring all meals meet quality standards, are correctly prepared and within acceptable time limits
• Monitors and directs food service staff and subs in the preparation, set up, and serving of all meals
• Prepares and cooks al menu items needed for regular and a la carte lines
• Ability to effectively lead a small staff and provide clear direction and training
• Checks on all equipment, monitors temperatures of refrigeration and freezer units
• Effectively utilizes food leftovers per standards
• Managing ordering, receiving, storing and inventory control of all perishable products following specific procedures and HACCP standards
• Reinforcing USDA regulations
• Conducting cost control analysis while monitoring product and menu costs
• Controlling waste and effectively managing cost and budget performance
• Establishing monthly food and labor cost goalsPromotes nutrition education in school and community
• Using time management skills to meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment
• Performs other duties as requested by leadership

What You Gain:
Taher, Inc. is proud to offer competitive benefits, including:

• Competitive compensation
• Work-Life balance - Guaranteed hours with no nights or weekends
• Free daily lunch
• Uniforms are provided
• Safety practices and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) are provided
• Employee training and development
• Opportunities for advancement and to make an impact
• Culture of inclusion and belonging

Who We Are:

Taher, Inc. is a family-owned food service management company specializing in K-12 school meals, corporate dining, senior dining, catering, vending, prepared services, and baked goods. Our chefs develop recipes prepared from scratch, inspired from around the world, using fresh ingredients to delight and nurture our guests. Taher is recognized as a Top 25 Food Service Management Company by Food Management Magazine.

• 2 years previous experience in a school food service setting preferred
• Ability to identify and resolve problems in a timely manner
• Able to follow supervisors direction and lead a small team
• Strong communication skills with employees and client
• Able to follow spoken and written directions
• Ability to prioritize, plan and use time efficiently
• Ability to lift 30 pounds and stand for long periods of time
• Maintain a high level of confidentiality when dealing with student, staff, and/or parent information
• ServSafe Certificate preferred
• Criminal background check required EOE/AA