Lead Cook

North Carolina State University; Raleigh (NC); On-site; USD 10,000 - 60,000; Part time

Job summary

Join a vibrant community at a leading university as a Lead Cook, where you will play a crucial role in delivering exceptional dining experiences. This position offers a dynamic work environment in a bustling dining hall, food court, or restaurant setting. You'll lead and inspire a team, ensuring high standards of food preparation and sanitation. With opportunities for advancement and a commitment to student success, this role is perfect for culinary professionals looking to make a difference. Embrace the chance to showcase your culinary skills while contributing to a positive campus atmosphere.

Qualifications

• Previous professional cooking experience is essential.
• Ability to communicate effectively with customers and team members.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership to Line Station Cooks and Student Cooks.
• Prepare food according to standardized recipes.

Skills

Professional cooking experience

Ability to work in a fast-paced environment

Customer service skills

Effective communication

Ability to follow safety procedures

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Culinary Arts Education

Tools

Kitchen equipment

Food safety knowledge

Job description

Essential Job Duties: JOIN THE PACK!

We are seeking individuals to Join our Pack as a Lead Cook. Successful candidates will work with the chef and co-workers in a dining hall, food court, or restaurant setting.

Essential job duties include:

• Provide professional leadership and supervision to Line Station Cooks and Student Cooks.
• Prepare food as per the standardized recipes and specifications.
• Perform small batch cooking and made-to-order items, display station set-up and service, and transport cooked foods to hot boxes for line service.
• Provide support to the front-of-house operations with backup food to ensure that there is no lag time between changing out food items.
• Portion food products prior to cooking according to standard portion sizes and recipe specifications.
• Perform specialty tasks such as display station set up and service, enhanced garnishing, recipe development, and event meal assistance.
• Perform necessary cleaning of utensils, workspace, tables, shelves, and equipment in accordance with maintaining a Grade “A” Sanitation rating.
• Participate in recipe development, and event meal assistance.
• Other duties as assigned include ensuring NC State Dining's business needs are met.
• Position may be asked to assist in other locations as necessary.

This is an hourly position, that includes a State required 32-day break at the end of 11 months. Superior work performance may provide an opportunity to renew employment and/or advance into a benefits-eligible permanent position.

NC State Dining provides campus-wide food services to students, staff, and faculty on the North Carolina State University Campus. NC State Dining operates 10 cafes, 3 food courts and 4 dining halls, 4 convenience stores, vending, a nutritional counseling service, and a catering department. The department employs approximately 1000 temporary and student employees and approximately 150 permanent EHRA, EPS, and SHRA employees.

Work Schedule:

• Shifts are available from early morning to late night including weekends. Please list your availability in the appropriate section of the application.
• Full- and part-time positions are available.

Other Work/Responsibilities:

• Being an ambassador for NC State Dining and the university as a whole enriches the quality of life for the campus community and supports student success.
• Work as a cohesive team member and play an integral part in creating a positive work environment.

Minimum Experience/Education:

• High School Diploma or equivalency.
• Demonstrated possession of the competencies necessary to perform the work will also be considered.
• Previous professional cooking experience.

Department Required Skills:

• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
• Contribute to maintaining a Grade A sanitation rating of 95% or better.
• Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with customers, supervisors, and peers.
• Ability to follow written and/or verbal instructions.
• Provide outstanding customer service, including the ability to remain professional and respectful under pressure when dealing with difficult situations.
• Excellence in completing all tasks.
• Ability to adapt to the changing customer volume level with a sense of urgency.
• Ability to work well as part of a team.
• Knowledge of equipment, cooking methods, measurements, and food safety.
• Ability to follow safety procedures. Will routinely handle sharp items such as knives and slicer blades as well as be around hot food items, food pans, ovens, fryers, steam tables, and grills.
• This position requires standing for long periods of time, walking, bending, twisting, pulling, and pushing. Because of the nature of a food service operation and working in a kitchen, you must be able to work in extremely hot and cold conditions.
• Must be able to lift up to 60 lb with or without reasonable accommodation.

Preferred Years of Experience, Skills, Training, Education:

• Culinary Arts Education (certificate, diploma, or degree).
• Two years of progressive food service experience; work experience in a casual dining setting preferred.
• Proficient at recipe preparation, short order, and high-volume cooking.
• Advanced knife skills.
• Diverse culinary knowledge, such as working knowledge of meat fabrication, a variety of cuisines, measurements, and advanced knowledge of cooking methods and food safety.
• ServSafe certificate is a plus.

AA/EEO:
NC State University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal opportunities for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation and veteran status. The University encourages all qualified applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities, to apply. Individuals with disabilities requiring disability-related accommodations in the application and interview process are welcome to contact 919-513-0574 to speak with a representative of the Office of Equal Opportunity.

If you have general questions about the application process, you may contact Human Resources at [phone] or [e-mail].

Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. Degree(s) must be obtained prior to start date in order to meet qualifications and receive credit.

NC State University participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.