Seasonal Cook II

Highgate; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 28,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Travel discounts at hotels

Medical / Dental / Vision coverage

401(k) retirement plan

Paid holidays / paid time off

Job summary

Highgate Hotels in Denver, CO is seeking a seasonal cook to prepare all food items for the Restaurants, Room Service, Employee Cafeteria and Banquets, following standardized recipes and hotel standards.

The role runs from October 1, 2026 through January 30, 2027, with focus on cleanliness, safety, and cost/production optimization in a fast-paced kitchen environment.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or equivalent.
• Culinary experience required.
• Flexible and long hours sometimes required.

Responsibilities

• Maintain cleanliness and organization of all storage areas.
• Complete necessary food and station preparation prior to opening.
• Prepare and display buffet food items according to hotel standards.
• Recognize quality standards in fresh vegetables, fish, and dairy and meat products.
• Maintain clean and sanitary environment with proper handling and storage.
• Prepare food for Banquets and Employee Cafeteria as specified by the Chef.

Skills

Culinary experience

Stamina for long shifts

Flexibility

Education

High School diploma or equivalent

Job description

Compensation Type

Hourly

Highgate Hotels

Highgate is a premier real estate investment and hospitality management company widely recognized as an innovator in the industry. Highgate is the dominant player in U.S. gateway markets including New York, Boston, Miami, San Francisco and Honolulu, with a rapidly expanding presence in Europe, Latin America, and the Caribbean. Highgate’s portfolio of global properties represents an aggregate asset value exceeding $20B and generates over $5B in cumulative revenues. The company provides expert guidance through all stages of the hospitality property cycle, from planning and development through recapitalization or disposition. Highgate also has the creativity and bandwidth to develop bespoke hotel brands and utilizes industry-leading proprietary revenue management tools that identify and predict evolving market dynamics to drive out performance and maximize asset value. With an executive team consisting of some of the industry’s most experienced hotel management leaders, the company is a trusted partner for top ownership groups and major hotel brands. Highgate maintains corporate offices in London, New York, Dallas, and Seattle.

Overview

The Cook is responsible for preparing all food items, based on standardized recipes, for the Restaurants, Room Service, Employee Cafeteria and Banquets, while maintaining the highest standards to produce an appealing and appetizing product. He/she is also responsible for ensuring the cleanliness, sanitation and safety in the kitchen and work areas while minimizing waste and maximizing cost/production ratio.

This seasonal role will be from October 1, 2026 through January 30, 2027.

Benefits

• In addition to travel discounts at our hotels, Highgate offers competitive benefits, including three pricing tiers of medical coverage, as well as Dental and Vision benefits to eligible full-time associates. All associates accrue paid sick leave in accordance with the Colorado Healthy Families and Workplaces Act. Paid time off plans may also be available to associates who qualify. The Retirement 401(k) Program is open to both full-time and part-time associates who qualify.

Responsibilities

• Maintain cleanliness and organization of all storage areas.
• Complete necessary food and station preparation prior to the opening of the restaurant in order to ensure that guests are served promptly and efficiently during the Restaurant and Room Service operating hours.
• Prepare and display buffet food items according to the hotel standards.
• Recognize quality standards in fresh vegetables, fish, and dairy and meat products.
• Maintain clean and sanitary environment with knowledge of proper handling, storage, and sanitation.
• Prepare food for Banquets, ad required, following specifications on Banquet Event Orders.
• Prepare and service food for the Employee Cafeteria as specified by the Chef or Kitchen Supervisor.
• Prepare all foods following hotel standard recipes. Preparation of specials will be under the direction of the Chef or Kitchen Supervisor.
• Breakdown buffets and kitchen line, storing food and equipment properly at the end of each meal period.
• Work banquet food station as scheduled by the Chef or Kitchen Supervisor.
• Know the location and operation of all fire extinguishing equipment.
• Practice safe work habits at all times to avoid possible injury to self or other employees.
• Use Production Charts as specified by hotel’s standards.
• Be able to support any position in the Kitchen that is in need of help.
• Follow all Health Department and Company regulations in regards to food and storage standards and safety.
• Be able to operate and maintain cleanliness of all kitchen equipment.
• Maintain a “Clean As You Go” policy.
• Assist in storage and rotation of food items according to hotel procedures.
• Sign keys out and back in under supervision as needed.

Pay Rate $20/hour- $22.00/hour

Qualifications

• High School diploma or equivalent and/or experience in a hotel or a related field preferred.
• Culinary experience required.
• Flexible and long hours sometimes required.
• Medium work - Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 20 pounds of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects.
• Ability to stand during entire shift
• Ability to withstand temperature variations both hot and cold.
• Have thorough knowledge of menus and the preparation required, according to hotel standards.
• Proficiency in the following cooking techniques: charbroiling, poaching, deep-frying, sauté, braising, roasting and par-cooking.
• Knowledge of herbs and spices and proper use of each.

Benefits

We are pleased to offer a comprehensive and competitive benefits package designed to support your health, well-being, and financial future.

• Medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, life insurance, short-term and long-term disability insurance401(k) Retirement Plan with employer matching contributions
• Paid holidays
• Paid vacation
• Paid sick leave (provided in accordance with applicable law)
• Employee assistance program (EAP)
• Educational opportunities / Tuition reimbursement
• Paid jury duty leave, personal leave, medical leave, and military leave in accordance with applicable law

For Employees Based in Washington:

• 8 paid holidays per year
• Up to 20 days of paid vacation per year, based on classification and length of service
• Paid Sick & Safe Time accrues at 1 hour for every 30 hours worked, with up to 72 hours of unused time carried over from one anniversary year to the next.

For Employees Based in Colorado:

• 8 paid holidays per year; employees working in the City of Denver receive 64 hours of designated holiday time per calendar year
• Up to 20 days of paid vacation per year, based on classification and length of service
• 6 days or 48 hours of Paid Sick Leave per year, accrued at 1 hour for every 30 hours worked.

For Employees Based in California:

• 8 paid holidays per year
• Up to 20 days of paid vacation per year, based on classification and length of service, capped at 1.5x annual accrual rate; non-supervisory employees working in the City of Los Angeles accrue up to 22 days of Compensated Time Off, based on length of service capped at 192 hours of combined PST and CTO.
• Paid Sick Time accrues at 1 hour for every 30 hours worked, unused time is carried over from one anniversary year to the next up to a maximum of 80 hours; employees working in the City of Los Angeles are provided 40 hours of Paid Sick Time annually on their anniversary, unused time is not carried over from one anniversary year to the next.

Please note that certain benefits described above for associates in Washington, Colorado, and California may vary for associates covered by a Collective Bargaining Agreement (“CBA”). For such associates, eligibility for and the terms and conditions of benefits are governed by the applicable CBA and any applicable plan documents, and may differ from the benefits described above. In the event of any conflict or inconsistency, the terms of the applicable CBA and governing plan documents will control, as applicable.