Per Diem Cook (COOK PD)

University of California, Davis; Davis (CA); On-site; USD 30,000 - 45,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Flexible schedule

Continuing education allowance

Job summary

The University of California, Davis is seeking a Cook responsible for preparing, cooking, and serving up to 2000 meals per meal period. This Per Diem on-call role requires culinary excellence and the ability to create a variety of dishes, ensuring high standards of taste, quality, and safety.

Ideal candidates will have a high school diploma and culinary experience, with skills in customer service and food safety. Flexible schedules and the ability to work independently are essential.

Qualifications

• High school diploma and/or equivalent certification.
• Culinary experience in a high-volume environment.
• Ability to communicate effectively in English.

Responsibilities

• Prepare entrees and follow recipes and cooking guidelines.
• Ensure presentation and flavor standards are met.
• Monitor cost control and manage inventory.

Skills

Culinary experience

Customer service

Knowledge of various cuisines

Effective communication

Interpersonal skills

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Culinary equipment

Job description

Job Summary

Position is one of multiple Cook positions responsible for preparing, cooking, and serving up to 2000 meals per meal period in a platform, back kitchen, catering, or demonstration setting throughout the dining room. This is a Per Diem on‑call role with no standardized schedule. The cook functions at the guest journey level, attending to requests as needed, and prepares food to excellent standards of taste, quality, and appearance. Responsibilities include creating food from scratch—entrees, starches, vegetables, gravies, sauces, soups, breads, desserts—and following recipes and menu cycles without direction. The cook ensures timely service, presentation, flavor standards, cost control, portion control, use of leftovers, dietary restrictions, safety, budget, and quality factors, tracks usage, performs pre‑ and post‑production duties, prepares menus for catered events, guides and trains staff, delegates tasks to student assistants, and maintains standard operating procedures.

Key Responsibilities

• 50% – Culinary Planning & Quality Control
• 25% – Customer Services and Professional Communication
• 15% – Safety & Sanitation
• 10% – Sustainability & Custodial Duties

Responsibilities

• Work independently preparing entrees and following recipes, menu cycles, and/or batch cooking guidelines.
• Ensure all items are prepared and served on time with designated presentation and flavor standards.
• Multi‑task, monitor cost control using professional techniques, portion control, and use of leftover food.
• Recognize dietary and allergen restrictions, safety, budget, and quality factors and track food usage using the daily usage report.
• Perform pre and post‑production responsibilities.
• Prepare menus for catered events or special meals.
• Guide food preparation and service duties to kitchen support staff and provide training and support to less experienced staff.
• Guide, delegate, and assign a wide range of tasks to student assistants.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma and/or equivalent certification, experience, or training.
• Culinary experience and/or training in a high‑volume, industrial culinary environment.
• Experience with culinary techniques, including sautéing, grilling, frying, steaming, and preparing sauces and stocks.
• Customer service experience to cooperate with public and other staff members and convey a helpful, positive attitude.
• Knowledge of cuisines from varying customer bases, including Regional American, Asian, Italian, Mexican, Vegetarian, and Vegan.
• Skill to check recipes, recognize problems, and make corrections as needed.
• Skills to communicate in English, orally and in written form, to understand and carry out oral and written instructions and interact effectively with co‑workers, supervisors, and guests.
• Interpersonal skills to work effectively with and provide excellent customer service to a diverse campus community; communication skills to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience executing culinary and nutritional requirements for special diets (vegan, gluten‑free, kosher, etc.).
• Skill to taste and discern product quality, read and interpret recipes and menus, estimate ingredient requirements, check production, and keep records to accurately plan production requirements and request supplies and equipment.
• Skill to maintain a sanitary, safe, and organized personal work area.
• Skill to check food temperatures throughout all HACCP steps, including food preparation, meal service, and storage; complete HACCP logs, date, label, and store all foods.
• Skill to use appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
• Skill to guide a wide range of tasks to kitchen support staff.
• Skill to differentiate products’ composition, biodegradability, nutrition, etc.
• Problem‑solving skills to troubleshoot problems as they arise, find alternate solutions, and implement solutions in a professional and efficient manner.
• Knowledge of proper procedures for lifting and handling broken glass and skill to use wet floor signs when mopping floors or cleaning up spills.
• Skill to verify proper concentration of sanitized solution using test strips.

Benefits

• High quality and low‑cost medical plans to choose from to fit your family's needs.
• University of California pays for dental and vision insurance premiums for you and your family.
• Extensive leave benefits including pregnancy and parental leave and family and medical leave.
• Paid holidays annually as stipulated in UC Davis policies.
• Paid time off, vacation, and sick time as stipulated in UC Davis policies.
• Continuing education allowance and education reimbursement program as stipulated in UC Davis policies.
• Access to free professional development courses and learning opportunities for personal and professional growth.
• Worklife and wellness programs and resources.
• On‑site employee assistance program including access to free mental health services.
• Supplemental insurance offered, including additional life, short‑ and long‑term disability, pet insurance, and legal coverage.
• Public service loan forgiveness (PSFL) qualified employer and student loan repayment assistance program for qualified roles.
• Retirement benefit options for eligible roles, including pension and retirement saving plans.

Work Environment

UC Davis is a smoke‑and‑tobacco free campus effective January 1, 2014. Smoking, the use of smokeless tobacco products, and the use of unregulated nicotine products (e-cigarettes) are strictly prohibited on any UC Davis owned or leased property, indoors and outdoors, including parking lots and residential space.

This is a Per Diem appointment: there is no permanent schedule or shift assigned; work hours vary based on operational needs. Schedules are based as needed on a day‑to‑day basis to supplement university staffing. The position is subject to completion of a pre‑placement medical exam provided by Employee Health Services at no charge to the applicant. Work may require flexible, variable schedule, occasionally overtime, evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays, possibly on short notice to meet operational needs. Vacation may be limited during peak operational times. Personal protective equipment such as hot mitts, safety shoes, goggles, and cut‑resistant gloves are required. The role involves frequent contact with residents and guests in areas that can be hot, cold, dusty, wet, or smelly.

Special Requirements

• Employment is contingent upon clearing a criminal background check(s) and may include drug screening, medical evaluation clearance, and functional capacity assessment.
• Position is designated as a mandated reporter under CANRA and UC policy; employment is contingent on compliance with applicable policies, procedures, and training requirements.

EEO Statement

The University of California, Davis is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status. See the University of California’s Anti‑Discrimination Policy at https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination.