Kitchen Prep Cook - Part-Time

AgeWell Services of West Michigan; Norton Shores (MI); On-site; USD 17,000 - 22,000; Part time

Job summary

AgeWell Services of West Michigan is seeking a part-time Meals on Wheels Kitchen Prep Cook in Norton Shores, MI to support daily kitchen operations. You will prepare food for hot and cold production, follow standardized recipes, and help maintain food safety standards.

You will work with the Hot and Cold Production teams to ensure meals are produced on schedule, while upholding quality and customer service standards. Prior kitchen experience and HACCP knowledge are valued.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of commercial food preparation techniques and batch cooking methods.
• Working knowledge of food safety regulations, sanitation procedures, and HACCP principles.
• Ability to accurately follow standardized recipes and production specifications.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills.
• Ability to work independently while supporting overall kitchen operations.
• Commitment to producing high‑quality meals and maintaining food safety standards.

Responsibilities

• Prepare ingredients, side dishes, vegetables, proteins, and other food items for daily and future meal production using standardized recipes and batch cooking methods.
• Assist in the preparation of food for both Hot Production and Cold Production programs to ensure production schedules are met.
• Prepare food according to standardized recipes while maintaining quality, consistency, portion control, and presentation standards.
• Support daily meal production to ensure meals are completed accurately and on schedule.
• Maintain strict compliance with HACCP principles, sanitation standards, and all local, state, and federal food safety regulations.
• Monitor and document food temperatures throughout preparation, cooking, holding, and cooling processes.

Skills

Food prep

HACCP knowledge

Recipe following

Time management

Teamwork

Independent work

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

ServSafe Certification preferred

Job description

Make more than a paycheck. Make a difference.

Thank you for your interest in joining AgeWell Services.

Location: Norton Shores, MI

Job Id:200

# of Openings:1

Meals on Wheels Kitchen Prep Cook (Part-Time)

More than a job---Be a part of a dynamic team that makesa difference! Help prepare meals for Meals on Wheels clients that we serve for Muskegon, Oceana and Ottawa older adults.

Job Summary

The Prep Cook plays a key role in supporting daily kitchen operations by preparing food for both hot and cold production while assisting the Hot Production Coordinator in maintaining efficient cook line and tray line operations. This position is responsible for preparing ingredients and side items using batch cooking methods, maintaining food quality and food safety standards, and ensuring production schedules are met.

Working closely with the Hot Production Coordinator, Cold Production Coordinator, Production Manager, and tray line team, the Prep Cook helps maintain workflow, supports leadership on the cook line and tray line, and ensures meals are prepared safely, accurately, and efficiently while maintaining AgeWell Services' standards for quality and customer service.

Duties & Responsibilities

Food Preparation & Production

• Prepare ingredients, side dishes, vegetables, proteins, and other food items for daily and future meal production using standardized recipes and batch cooking methods.
• Assist in the preparation of food for both Hot Production and Cold Production programs to ensure production schedules are met.
• Prepare food according to standardized recipes while maintaining quality, consistency, portion control, and presentation standards.
• Support daily meal production to ensure meals are completed accurately and on schedule.

Food Safety & Quality Assurance

• Maintain strict compliance with HACCP principles, sanitation standards, and all local, state, and federal food safety regulations.
• Monitor and document food temperatures throughout preparation, cooking, holding, and cooling processes.
• Report food quality concerns, equipment malfunctions, or safety issues promptly to the Hot Production Coordinator or Production Manager.
• Ensure all workstations, equipment, and food preparation areas remain clean, organized, and sanitized throughout the workday.

Operational Support

• Assist the Hot Production Coordinator in coordinating cook line activities and maintaining production workflow.
• Provide operational support and leadership assistance on the tray line as needed to maintain production efficiency and quality standards.
• Monitor food replenishment needs and communicate production requirements to the Hot Production Coordinator and tray line staff.
• Assist with setup, breakdown, and cleaning of production equipment and work areas.
• Support catering, Freezer Favorites production, and other special projects as assigned.

Teamwork & Communication

• Work collaboratively with the Production Manager, Production Coordinators, tray line staff, and kitchen team members to support efficient daily operations.
• Communicate proactively regarding production schedules, food needs, workflow concerns, and operational priorities.
• Encourage teamwork, professionalism, and a positive work environment.
• Assist fellow team members as needed to ensure departmental goals and production deadlines are achieved.

Other Responsibilities

• Perform all other duties as assigned to support departmental and organizational goals.

Required Qualifications or Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of commercial food preparation techniques and batch cooking methods.
• Working knowledge of food safety regulations, sanitation procedures, and HACCP principles.
• Ability to accurately follow standardized recipes and production specifications.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Ability to prioritize multiple tasks in a fast-paced production environment.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills.
• Ability to work independently while supporting overall kitchen operations.
• Commitment to producing high‑quality meals and maintaining food safety standards.

Preferred Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent preferred.
• Previous experience in healthcare, institutional food service, school nutrition, or commercial food production preferred.
• Previous cooking or food preparation experience preferred.
• ServSafe Food Handler or Food Protection Manager Certification preferred.
• This position requires frequent standing and walking throughout the workday. Regular bending, reaching, lifting, pushing, and pulling are required. Must be able to safely lift and carry up to 40 pounds on a regular basis.
• The employee works in a commercial kitchen environment with exposure to varying temperatures, including hot cooking areas, walk‑in coolers, and freezers. Exposure to cleaning chemicals, commercial kitchen equipment, steam, and moderate noise levels is expected. The ability to safely operate food service equipment and consistently follow all food safety and sanitation procedures is required.

Please note that all team members must successfully pass a background check!

Equal Opportunity Employer

We are an equal opportunity employer and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind. Employment decisions are based on business needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, height, weight, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law