Head Cook

Youth Development, Inc; Taos (NM); On-site; USD 38,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

Youth Development, Inc. seeks a Head Cook to supervise all aspects of food preparation and kitchen staff, while coordinating with teachers and administration on nutrition components. You will prepare meals, develop menus, manage orders, and ensure records meet CFPP regulations in a compliant, safe kitchen.

The role requires strong supervisory skills, reliable transportation, and the ability to lift 55 lbs. Benefits include exposure to community nutrition initiatives and hands-on kitchen

Qualifications

• GED or High School Diploma required.
• Must measure accurately and have 3 years large quantity cooking experience and 1 year record keeping.
• Must read and write.
• Minimum 3 years large quantity cook experience and ability to follow menus and standardized recipes, and adjust portions.
• Minimum 1 year record keeping experience for government feeding programs.
• Must decide which food items are allowed.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily food prep and production to ensure high quality meals.
• Maintain records for CFPP reporting (menu book, meal counts, usage, temperatures).
• Maintain monthly inventories and order under Nutrition Manager guidance.
• Handle deliveries and proper storage with FIFO.
• Ensure kitchen safety and sanitation per local codes.
• Record food/ equipment temps and troubleshoot issues.
• Supervise and train kitchen staff and volunteers; coordinate with Center Director and Nutrition Manager.
• Develop and maintain equipment cleaning schedules and assign cleaning duties.
• Assist Nutrition Manager in planning and serving economical, nutritious meals.
• Collaborate with staff and parents on nutrition experiences and training.

Skills

Reading & Writing

Measurement accuracy

Menu planning & recipe adaptation

Food safety & sanitation

Record keeping

Decision making about food items

Supervisory experience

Education

GED or High School Diploma

Job description

HEAD COOK:

Responsible for supervising all activities related to food preparation and production, supervising and training kitchen staff and volunteers. Liaison between teachers, cooking staff, and administration regarding the nutrition component. Prepares meals and helps develop menus. Writes food orders. Purchases food products. Participate in all phases of kitchen operations. Maintains daily records to meet C.C.F.P. regulations. Ensures that kitchen operations are in compliance with local codes.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• GED or High School Diploma required.
• Must be able to measure accurately plus three (3) years large quantity experience and one (1) year record keeping.
• Must be able to read and write.
• Must have a minimum of 3 years large quantity cook experience and be able to follow planned menus standardized recipes and have the ability to extend/reduce recipes
• Must have a minimum of 1 year record keeping experience for government feeding programs.
• Must make decisions regarding which food items are allowed.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Supervisory experience preferred.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES (Not Inclusive):

• Oversee, plan, supervise, and coordinate daily food preparation and production, to ensure consistent high-quality meals, using food temperatures, taste, appearance and plate waste and indicators.
• Maintain accurate records for C.C.F.P. reporting purposes (i.e. menu record book, meal counts, food usage, temperatures, etc.)
• Maintain monthly inventories for food and supplies, determining items to be purchased, with direction from the Nutrition Manager.
• Issue and record all food items used for meal service.
• Receive and verify all deliveries, maintaining proper storage conditions, using approved method of rotation (first in/first out), label and date items received.
• Oversee all food handling, maintaining safety and sanitation standards in accordance with local codes.
• Record and monitor food and equipment temperatures, trouble shooting and correcting problems as necessary.
• Maintain high level of security, to prevent pilferage and misuse of supplies.
• Supervise and train kitchen personnel and volunteers; orientating, training, counseling, advising, providing general supervision and guidance, evaluating and disciplining, with guidance from the Center Director and the Nutrition Manager.
• Responsible for proper maintenance and operation of kitchen equipment, including sanitation.
• Works with the Nutrition Manager to plan, order, and serve economical, nutritious meals.
• Develop and maintain equipment cleaning schedule, which includes ovens, refrigerator, freezers, and storage areas/cabinets. Assign cleaning duties, monitoring daily.
• Participates in all phases of kitchen operation; food production and preparation, cooking, meal service set up and break down, dish washing, general kitchen cleaning, etc.
• Monitor leftovers and plan for future usage, reporting amounts and planned usage to the Nutrition Manager.
• Assist in the identification of children with special dietary needs through documented information in the child’s file or discussions with parents.
• Responsible for the distribution of the information and its posting, while providing appropriate substitute food items with guidance from the Nutrition Manager.
• Participate in staff conferences and training sessions.
• Works with parent committees to get new ideas for food preparation, and to train parents in food handling and preparation, by attending three parent meets each program year.
• Acts as a liaison between classroom and kitchen in matters relating to nutrition experiences, field trips, and special requests, etc.
• Maintains center personnel records for kitchen staff, which include attendance documentation, time and attendance records, leave requests, evaluations, work performance documentation, and other pertinent information in conjunction with the Center Director.
• Must have reliable transportation with adequate car insurance to meet job requirements.
• Other duties as assigned.

JOB CHARACTERISTICS/PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

This position is exempt from overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act. This is a professional position which requires organizational and communication skills, as well as judgment, tact and diplomacy in contacts with Head Start employees, community residents, parents and local government agencies. Strict adherence is required to all regulations concerning confidentiality. Good general health and ability to lift and carry 55 lbs. is essential. Initial medical exam, fingerprint process and yearly TB skin test required. Must walk or stand most of the shift. Must be able to stand bent over a pot sink for long periods of time (1 hour +/-). Must be able to push carts with heavy loads up to 100 lbs. Fingerprint process, TB Skin Test and Physical may be required every five years. Frequent travel is provided by employee and proof of satisfactory car insurance is required. Must be able to perform essential job duties with or without reasonable accommodation.

Youth Development, Inc. is an at-will employer. Employment is by mutual consent of the company and employee, and either may terminate the relationship at any time with or without cause or advance notice. This job is contingent upon funding; however, availability of funding is not a guarantee of continued employment, nor does it imply any specific term of employment.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:

Direct supervision provided by the Center Director.

SUPERVISION GIVEN:

Cooks, Cook Helpers and Food Service Workers.