Lead Cook

The University of Texas at Austin; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 43,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

Transit pass

Retirement contributions

Uniform Provided

Longevity Pay

Paid vacation, sick time, and holidays

Career growth & development

Job summary

The University of Texas at Austin is seeking a Lead Cook on the UT Main Campus to assist the Sous Chefs in planning daily productions, supervise the cooking team, and manage prep and cleanup activities in dining facilities.

Responsibilities include leading breakfast, lunch, and dinner production, ensuring recipes are followed, maintaining food safety, labeling, and inventory accuracy while coordinating with front-of-house staff to meet service needs.

Qualifications

• Two years of experience as a Cook in a restaurant, commercial, or institutional facility.
• Experience training or leading staff in a restaurant, commercial, or institutional facility.
• Experience operating cooking equipment.
• Experience following recipes.
• Ability to complete and maintain Food Safety Training required by University Housing and Dining.

Responsibilities

• Lead staff in preparing all types of food items for breakfast, lunch, and dinner utilizing commercial kitchen equipment.
• Read and comprehend recipes, including handling recipe conversions.
• Independently prepare recipes in a high-volume establishment and minimize waste while ensuring freshest product.

Skills

Cook experience

Staff training/leadership

Cooking equipment operation

Follow recipes

Food Safety Training

Education

Culinary degree

Job description

Job Posting Details

• Job Posting Title: Lead Cook
• Hiring Department: University Housing and Dining
• Position Open To: All Applicants
• Weekly Scheduled Hours: 40
• FLSA Status: To Be Determined at Offer
• Earliest Start Date: Ongoing
• Position Duration: Expected to Continue
• Location: UT MAIN CAMPUS

Job Details

SHIFT DIFFERENTIAL: This position is eligible for $2.00 per hour shift differential pay for hours worked during designated evening and weekend shifts in accordance with university guidelines.

BENEFITS: UT Austin offers a competitive benefits package that includes:

• 100% employer-paid basic medical coverage
• Free Capital Metro bus rides
• Retirement contributions
• Uniform Provided
• Longevity Pay
• Paid vacation, sick time, and holidays
• Career growth & professional development

Please visit our Human Resources (HR) website at https://hr.utexas.edu/ to learn more about the total benefits offered when you join our team!

Purpose

Responsible for assisting the Sous Chefs in the planning and execution of daily food production, assignments for the cooking team, paperwork and production records, and cleaning assignments in dining.

Responsibilities

• Lead staff in preparing all types of food items for breakfast, lunch, and dinner utilizing commercial kitchen equipment. Read and comprehend recipes, including handling recipe conversions. Independently prepare recipes in a high-volume establishment. Execute recipes according to business needs, aiming to reduce waste and provide the freshest product possible. Report any recipe discrepancies to the chef.
• Ensure compliance with food safety and sanitation guidelines. Ensure proper labeling and storage of products. Maintain temperature logs throughout shift and ensure food is cooked to the appropriate temperature. Minimize cross contamination and actively monitor food quality.
• Assist with cook assignments, production paperwork, and ongoing training of current and new cooks. Collaborate with front of house staff to meet service needs. Collaborate with kitchen staff to ensure timely and efficient food service. Maintain a clean and organized workspace for efficient food preparation and presentation. Make sure dishes are visually appealing and presented in an attractive manner. Assist as needed on serving line, prepares food according to customers ingredient selections. Communicate professionally and effectively with staff, supervisory staff, and/or customers. Maintain current knowledge of all areas of responsibility. Provide excellent customer service.
• Maintain cleanliness and organization of the kitchen, including equipment, freezers, refrigerators and storage areas. Responsible for efficient organization and placement of prepped and stored items. Properly utilize, store, and label cooked food and food items. Inform kitchen supervisor of equipment repair or replacement needs. Conduct inventory of food and supplies as needed.
• Adhere to written and oral University and UHD policies such as time and attendance and UHD / UT trainings and compliance. Complete and maintain required food safety training, including Texas Food Handler Safety. Follow work safety guidelines and utilize proper PPE as needed. Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Two years of experience as a Cook in a restaurant, commercial, or institutional facility.
• Experience training or leading staff in a restaurant, commercial, or institutional facility.
• Experience operating cooking equipment.
• Experience following recipes.
• Ability to complete and maintain Food Safety Training required by University Housing and Dining.

Preferred Qualifications

• Culinary degree.
• Three or more years of experience as a Cook in a restaurant, commercial, or institutional facility.
• One or more years of experience training or leading staff in a restaurant, commercial, or institutional facility.
• High-volume cooking experience.
• Basic computer skills.
• Ability to multi-task and work with little supervision.
• Professional demeanor and ability to work with a large staff and customer base.

Salary Range

$47,500 + depending on qualifications

Working Conditions

• Uniforms and/or personal protection equipment (furnished).
• May work in extreme temperatures.
• May work around chemicals.
• Use of manual dexterity.
• Climbing of ladders.
• Pushing, pulling, and moving up to 50 pounds.
• Lifting and moving up to 62 pounds.
• The successful candidate must successfully complete testing for strength and agility prior to employment.

Work Shift

• Workdays, area, and work hours may vary based on the needs of the unit and University Housing and Dining (UHD).

Required Materials

• Resume/CV
• 3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor
• Letter of interest

Employment Eligibility

Regular staff who have been employed in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings being recruited for through University-Wide or Open Recruiting, to include both promotional opportunities and lateral transfers. Staff who are promotion/transfer eligible may apply for positions without supervisor approval.

Retirement Plan Eligibility

The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.

Background Checks

A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

Pay Transparency

The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.

Employment Eligibility Verification

If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form. You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States. Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment. Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.

E-Verify

The University of Texas at Austin use E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university’s company ID number for purposes of E-Verify is 854197. For more information about E-Verify, please see the following:

• E-Verify Poster (English and Spanish) [PDF]
• Right to Work Poster (English) [PDF]
• Right to Work Poster (Spanish) [PDF]

Compliance

Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act). If this position is identified a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in HOP-3031.

The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the most recent report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2.206, Austin, Texas 78701.