Kitchen Staff/Cook

California Fresh Market; Solvang (CA); On-site; USD 22,041 - 27,552; Full time

Job summary

California Fresh Market in Solvang, CA is seeking organized, energetic Kitchen Staff to help store ingredients and assist with food preparation while keeping areas clean and compliant with safety standards.

You will work on food preparation, dish washing, stocking, and assisting with deliveries, with emphasis on accuracy, speed, and hospitable customer service. This role requires standing for long periods, weekend shifts, and the ability to lift up to 50 pounds.

Qualifications

• Minimum 1 year experience in high volume food preparation or equivalent
• Organized and reliable, with ability to multitask
• Strong communication and listening skills
• Experience serving the public
• Ability to work weekends and evenings
• Comfort with standing for long periods and lifting up to 40–50 pounds
• Ability to read department manuals and reports

Responsibilities

• Cleaning all dishes, work stations, cooking equipment, and food storage areas in accordance with food safety regulations and company policies
• Washing, chopping, shredding, and grating ingredients for subsequent use by the department
• Operating grills, ovens, fryers, and steam kettles to cook meats, fish, vegetables, and other dishes
• Garnishing and arranging food on serving dishes to meet company standards
• Following recipes and adjusting portions according to exact specifications
• Sweeping and mopping floors
• Assisting with the unloading of deliveries
• Storing ingredients according to prescribed food safety regulations and company policies
• Assisting with the monitoring of inventory
• Reporting all damaged or faulty equipment
• Packaging customer's food upon request
• Cleaning trash cans and disposing of refuse on a regular basis
• Labeling, dating, and storing food at proper temperatures to avoid spoilage

Job description

Description

We are searching for organized, energetic kitchen staff to join our team. Kitchen Staff are responsible for storing ingredients and assisting with food preparation. You should also ensure that the kitchen and storage areas remain clean at all times.

To be successful as kitchen staff, you should demonstrate excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to multitask without sacrificing accuracy in your work.

Kitchen Staff Responsibilities

• Cleaning all dishes, work stations, cooking equipment, and food storage areas in accordance with food safety regulations and company policies
• Washing, chopping, shredding, and grating ingredients for subsequent use by the department
• Operating grills, ovens, fryers, and steam kettles to cook meats, fish, vegetables, and other dishes
• Garnishing and arranging food on serving dishes to meet company standards
• Following recipes and adjusting portions according to exact specifications
• Sweeping and mopping floors
• Assisting with the unloading of deliveries
• Storing ingredients according to prescribed food safety regulations and company policies
• Assisting with the monitoring of inventory
• Reporting all damaged or faulty equipment
• Packaging customer's food upon request
• Cleaning trash cans and disposing of refuse on a regular basis
• Labeling, dating, and storing food at proper temperatures to avoid spoilage.

Requirements

• Minimum 1 year experience in high volume food preparation or equivalent experience
• Organized, consistently follows through on commitments
• Demonstrates the ability to handle multiple demands
• Communication skills – clear directions, good listener
• Experience serving the public
• Ability to project friendly, outgoing personality
• The potential for prolonged standing, walking, squatting, and/or bending
• Ability to stand for long periods
• Ability to work in cold, wet conditions
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as department manuals and reports
• Ability to prioritize work tasks, multi-task, and maintain focus
• Willingness to work weekends
• Willingness and ability to learn and grow to meet the changing requirements of the job
• Evening/night work may be required
• Occasional high stress when dealing with systems/customers/staff, working a flexible schedule to include a variety of shifts – afternoons, nights, weekends, and holidays
• Always have a positive attitude
• Understand key business standards related to food, service, and cleanliness
• Problem solving – anticipating, analyzing, and identifying problem
• Continuously interacting with customers and co‑workers
• Ability to lift heavy boxes frequently up to 40 pounds and occasionally up to 50 pounds
• Repetitive use – hand to finger motions, handling or feeling objects, reaching with hands and arms
• Must be able to adjust vision to both day and night lighting and be able to focus on distant and close‑range projects
• Perform duties in a safe and efficient manner
• Participates in training activities to increase personal skill levels and to improve overall department processes and customer service
• Meets the physical requirements to perform the job functions listed above
• Perform other tasks assigned by management
• Assist other customers in all departments, in a prompt friendly courteous manner, referring them to other staff when necessary
• Maintain department logs, cleaning schedules, safety materials, and inventory documents
• Must have basic knowledge of math, weights, and measures