Lead Cook - Courtyard Cafe (RFOC) - Western Carolina University

Aramark Correctional Services; Cullowhee (NC); On-site; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Five days paid vacation plus holidays

Health, dental, vision, and retirement

Career growth and training

Creative culinary environment

Leadership opportunities

Campus atmosphere

Free meal during every shift

Mountain living in Western NC

Job summary

Aramark is hiring for a cook/lead role at Western Carolina University Dining. The position focuses on preparing meals, supervising kitchen staff, and maintaining food safety standards on a college campus in Western North Carolina.

You will train staff, manage production, and ensure quality and customer service while benefiting from Aramark’s career growth opportunities and a benefits package. This role offers hands-on culinary leadership on a vibrant campus.

Qualifications

• Experience as a cook or related role.
• Previous supervisor experience preferred.
• Ability to work independently with limited supervision.
• Knowledge of basic food preparation, cooking methods, and food safety regulations.
• Food safety certification is required.
• Demonstrates basic math and counting skills.
• Demonstrates effective interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal.

Responsibilities

• Schedules and assigns daily work activities to staff and supervises the completion of tasks.
• Trains and guides staff on job duties, standard food safety and sanitation procedures, cooking methods, etc.
• Cooks and prepares food following production guidelines and standardized recipes
• Sets up workstation with all needed ingredients and equipment
• Prepares ingredients by measuring, weighing, mixing, chopping, trimming, and peeling food items
• Safely uses all food utensils including knives
• Operates equipment such as ovens, stoves, slicers, mixers, etc.
• Bakes, roasts, broils, steams, and uses a variety of cooking methods on meats, vegetables, and other foods
• Arranges, garnishes, and portions food following established guidelines
• Properly stores food by following food safety policies and procedures
• Cleans and sanitizes work areas, equipment, and utensils
• Maintains excellent customer service with a positive attitude towards guests, customers, clients, co-workers, etc.
• Follows Aramark safety policies and procedures including food safety and sanitation
• Ensures security of company assets
• Produces and maintains work schedules and may prepare production records.

Skills

Leadership

Supervisory experience

Cook experience

Food safety certification

Math skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication (written and verbal)

Job description

Job Description

Why You'll Love Working Here

Join a team where your leadership, culinary skills, and creativity are valued. At Western Carolina University Dining, you'll have the opportunity to make an impact every day while building a rewarding career with Aramark.

What We Offer:

• 5 days of paid vacation to start, plus university holidays off
• Comprehensive health, dental, vision, and retirement benefits
• Career growth fueled by Aramark through training, development, and advancement opportunities
• A creative culinary environment where new ideas and innovation are encouraged
• Leadership opportunities to mentor and develop team members
• A vibrant college campus atmosphere
• Free meal during every shift
• The opportunity to live and work in the beautiful mountains of Western North Carolina

Build your future through a customized career development path designed by our Executive Chef. Gain valuable on-the-job experience, mentorship, and access to professional development opportunities through our partnerships with internationally recognized culinary organizations, including the American Culinary Federation (ACF) and the Culinary Institute of America (CIA). We are committed to investing in our people through cross-training, continuous development, and advancement opportunities that help shape the next generation of culinary leaders. Start with a job. Finish with a rewarding career.

Job Responsibilities

• Schedules and assigns daily work activities to staff and supervises the completion of tasks.
• Trains and guides staff on job duties, standard food safety and sanitation procedures, cooking methods, etc.
• Cooks and prepares food following production guidelines and standardized recipes
• Sets up workstation with all needed ingredients and equipment
• Prepares ingredients by measuring, weighing, mixing, chopping, trimming, and peeling food items
• Safely uses all food utensils including knives
• Operates equipment such as ovens, stoves, slicers, mixers, etc.
• Bakes, roasts, broils, steams, and uses a variety of cooking methods on meats, vegetables, and other foods
• Arranges, garnishes, and portions food following established guidelines
• Properly stores food by following food safety policies and procedures
• Cleans and sanitizes work areas, equipment, and utensils
• Maintains excellent customer service with a positive attitude towards guests, customers, clients, co-workers, etc.
• Follows Aramark safety policies and procedures including food safety and sanitation
• Ensures security of company assets
• Produces and maintains work schedules and may prepare production records.

At Aramark, developing new skills and doing what it takes to get the job done make a positive impact for our employees and for our customers. In order to meet our commitments, job duties may change or new ones may be assigned without formal notice.

Qualifications

• Previous supervisor experience in a related role preferred
• Experience as a cook or related role required
• Ability to work independently with limited supervision required
• Proven knowledge of the basic principles of food preparation, various cooking methods, and food safety regulations such as proper food handling, sanitation, and storage
• Food safety certification required
• Demonstrates basic math and counting skills
• Demonstrates effective interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal

This role may have physical demands including, but not limited to, lifting, bending, pushing, pulling and/or extended walking and standing. This role may also require uniforms and/or usage of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

About Aramark

Our Mission

Rooted in service and united by our purpose, we strive to do great things for each other, our partners, our communities, and our planet.

At Aramark, we believe that every employee should enjoy equal employment opportunity and be free to participate in all aspects of the company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender, pregnancy, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military status, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by applicable law.

About Aramark

The people of Aramark proudly serve millions of guests every day through food and facilities in 15 countries around the world. Rooted in service and united by our purpose, we strive to do great things for each other, our partners, our communities, and our planet. We believe a career should develop your talents, fuel your passions, and empower your professional growth. So, no matter what you’re pursuing - a new challenge, a sense of belonging, or just a great place to work - our focus is helping you reach your full potential. Learn more about working here at http://www.aramarkcareers.com or connect with us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.