Lead Cook

Great Western Dining Service, Inc.; Hillsboro (MO); On-site; USD 38,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Great Western Dining Service at Jefferson College, Hillsboro, Missouri is seeking a skilled Lead Cook to prepare meals, follow recipes, and ensure timely delivery with high-quality presentation.

You will work Monday through Friday, 6:00am–2:00pm, maintain a sanitized kitchen, follow HACCP and safety policies, and collaborate with the Food Service Director to develop recipes and improve operations.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a cook.
• Familiarity with commercial kitchen equipment.
• Knowledge of various cooking procedures and methods (grilling, baking, boiling, etc.).
• Ability to follow sanitation procedures.
• Ability to work in a team.
• Maintain a positive attitude and good communication.

Responsibilities

• Set up workstations with ingredients and cooking equipment.
• Prepare ingredients (chopping, peeling, cutting) for cooking.
• Prepare and portion food for meals or events.
• Cook to order or items needing short prep time.
• Follow recipes and production information.

Skills

Proven experience

Kitchen equipment familiarity

Cooking procedures

Sanitation procedures

Teamwork

Positive attitude

Communication skills

Job description

Description

Great Western Dining Service is a forward-thinking food service management company that recognizes the profound impact of exceptional cuisine. We believe that food fosters connection, cultivates the community, and creates enduring memories.

We are committed to cultivating a professional environment that values creativity, innovation, and collaboration. Our diverse team members are empowered to contribute fresh perspectives and inspired ideas, resulting in distinctive and memorable dining experiences for our guests.

As we continue to grow, we are proud to provide accelerated career advancement opportunities for dedicated and driven team members.

Lead Cook

Great Western Dining at Jefferson College, Hillsboro Mo is looking for a skilled Cook to prepare delicious meals. You will cook dishes that will delight our customers with their taste and timely delivery. An excellent cook must be able to follow instructions in cooking and delivering well-prepared meals. They must be deft in moving around the kitchen and apt in multi-tasking. Experience in using various ingredients and cooking techniques is important.

Responsibilities

• Set up workstations with all needed ingredients and cooking equipment
• Prepare ingredients to use in cooking (chopping and peeling vegetables, cutting meat etc.)
• Prepare, portion, cook food items for various meal periods or special events
• Prepare and cook to order or items that require short preparation time
• Ability to follow basic recipes and production information
• Ensure great presentation by dressing dishes before they are served
• Keep a sanitized and orderly environment in the kitchen
• Ensure all food and other items are stored properly
• Follow all company HACCP and safety policies

Skills And Qualifications

• Proven experience as cook
• Must have familiarity of commercial kitchen equipment
• Knowledge of various cooking procedures and methods (grilling, baking, boiling etc.)
• Ability to follow all sanitation procedures
• Ability to work in a team
• Maintain a positive attitude
• Very good communication skills

We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from all qualified individuals.

Requirements

Physical Requirements

• Continuous walking and other means of mobility
• Ability to work in standing position for long periods of time
• Ability to reach, bend, stoop, push/pull, and frequently lift/move up to 30 pounds

Other Information/Requirements

• Schedule: Monday-Friday, 6:00am-2pm
• Time Off: Most major holidays off; approximately 1-month Christmas break furlough period; ~3-month summer furlough period.
• Key Responsibilities: The Breakfast & Lunch Lead Cook serves as the driving force behind all morning and midday menu production. In this role, you will work closely with the Food Service Director to develop recipes, maintain documentation, and uphold high operational standards. You will have creative freedom to design new dishes, improve existing offerings, and ensure the kitchen runs efficiently and safely. This position requires strong time-management skills, reliability, and the ability to make critical decisions during daily operations. You should be willing to assist wherever needed, support team success, and maintain a positive, solutions-focused approach. Your leadership will directly shape the quality, consistency, and innovation of our breakfast and lunch programs.