Prep Cook

Hearty Helpings Inc; Buffalo (NY); On-site; USD 2,066,000 - 2,755,000; Full time

Job summary

Hearty Helpings Inc in Buffalo is seeking a Prep Cook to prepare meal ingredients, simple dishes, condiments, and related items under the guidance of senior culinary staff. You will follow standardized recipes and help ensure timely service.

Responsibilities include unloading and inspecting ingredients, cooking to spec, maintaining cleanliness, and adhering to DOH food safety standards. This role requires physical endurance and team collaboration daily.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of and experience in practicing proper safety standards in handling food and equipment.
• Ability to measure accurately and follow instructions.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds and stand for long periods.
• Willingness to work with diverse populations.

Responsibilities

• Prepare, cook, and portion all menu items following standardized recipes.
• Assist with unloading, inspection, and storage of raw ingredients and supplies.
• Maintain a clean, sanitary cooking area and proper food handling.
• Follow safety regulations and sanitize pots and pans after use.
• Support mission work and related duties as needed.

Skills

Food safety

Measuring & accuracy

Math & reading

Physical stamina

Dexterity

Lifting up to 50 lbs

Temperature tolerance

Teamwork

Tools

Knives

Commercial equipment

Job description

Description

SUMMARY OF DUTIES:

The Prep Cook will prepare meal ingredients, simple dishes, condiments, and other items as directed by senior culinary staff.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Responsible for preparing, cooking, and portioning all menu items by following instructions on standardized recipes.
• Assists with unloading, inspection, and storage of raw ingredients and supplies.
• Check menus, prepare and cook items following standard recipes completing the cooking by serving time.
• Check temperatures of food items and logs before serving.
• After the line is served, remove leftovers, cover, date, and store leftover food.
• Maintain the cooking area and equipment in a clean, sanitary, neat, and orderly manner.
• Handle food, equipment, and utensils in accordance with sanitary and safety regulations.
• Wash and sanitize all pots and pans after preparing meals.
• Ensure that all areas are clean before leaving each day
• Assist with any and all mission work as needed and requested with some or no prior notice including, but not limited to: serving as a truck spotter, helping with Farm Market/Community Garden/Freight Farms/on and off-site food distributions, preparation of meals and serving home-delivered meals
• Other duties as so assigned or needed.

Requirements

• Knowledge of and experience in practicing proper safety standards in handling food and all requisite equipment including knives, commercial equipment, etc. to produce thousands of meals daily
• Must have solid math, reading, writing and analytical abilities and follow oral and written instructions
• Ability and willingness to work with populations of varying educational levels and backgrounds effectively
• Must be able to measure accurately, have sufficient dexterity to handle food and equipment efficiently and safely and be able to lift a minimum of 50 pounds with minimal effort following required safety guidelines
• Must be able to tolerate sudden and extreme changes in temperatures and stand for at least 8 hours a day
• Must be able to climb on a ladder the distance of 5 feet to reach stored items and carry them to the floorMust be able to push, pull, and guide carts which weigh approximately 70-325 pounds on a tile surface
• Must bend or stoop frequently throughout the day and reach short distances into carts to retrieve trays
• Ability to work in hot or cold conditions for long periods of time;
• Ability to tolerate sudden and extreme changes in temperature;
• Ability to work with all food types, including but not limited to gluten, dairy, and raw proteins, including pork;
• Must be able to twist and rotate 180 degrees during each day and follow DOH food service standards