Senior Cook (COOK SR)

University of California, Davis; Davis (CA); On-site; USD 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

University of California, Davis is seeking a Cook SR in Student Housing and Dining Services to lead a diverse kitchen team and ensure high-quality, safe, and timely food preparation. You will manage from-scratch cooking, batch guidelines, and cost-control practices while guiding staff and maintaining clean, efficient operations.

The role emphasizes staff training, coordinating with internal and external customers, and upholding UC Davis standards.

Qualifications

• Four years of experience in food preparation and general maintenance of a kitchen area.
• Experience providing excellent customer service in a fast-paced food environment.
• Culinary and cooking experience in a fast-paced food production environment to prepare complex recipes using varying culinary techniques.
• Experience training, leading, and monitoring support staff in a cooking and service environment.
• Experience maintaining a sanitary, safe and organized personal work area, checking food temperatures following food and physical safety guidelines.
• Ability to taste and discern product quality, read, and interpret recipes and menus, estimate ingredient requirements, monitor production, and keep records.
• Skills to communicate in English, both orally and in written form to understand and carry out oral and written instructions and interact effectively with co-workers, supervisors, and guests.

Responsibilities

• Cooking, Culinary Planning, And Quality Control
• Shift Lead
• Safety & Sanitation
• Customer Service and Communication

Skills

Food preparation

Customer service

Staff leadership

Sanitation

Quality control

English communication

Job description

Job Summary

Under supervision of Unit Chef and Sous Chefs, serve as lead to a diverse group of employees to meet customer service, food quality, sanitation, and safety standards. Guide, delegate, and assign a wide range of tasks to Career and Student employees. Cook all food assigned to standards of excellent taste, quality & appearance. Prepare food from scratch including entrees, starches, vegetables, gravies & sauces, soups, breads, desserts, etc. Work independently preparing entrees & following recipes & menus & batch cooking guidelines without direction. Ensure all items are prepared on time with designated presentation. Monitor cost control by using professional techniques with regards to food production, portion control, utilizing leftover food items, recognizing safety, budget & quality factors & tracking food usage using daily report. Maintain unit standards for product quality, service, cleanliness, communication, training & work order flow. Prepare menus for special events. Provide training to staff. Continuously monitor & receive customer orders, read tickets, monitor ticket times, communicate when assistance is needed. Review on hand levels & communicate facility needs. Receive & review incoming shipments, & confirm quality & safety of product, as well as accurate product delivery & invoicing. Complete assigned inventory for facility in an accurate & timely fashion. Provide guidance & support to other cooks through training, delegation of duties, & decision making. Be a solution-oriented leader to direct or fill vacancies/absences in various areas/tasks normally filled by alternate staff. Model culinary & customer service department wide expectations. Interact with internal & external customers by demonstrating professionalism, enthusiasm & integrity. Convey welcoming attitude. Ensure positive guest experience by accommodating special requests & making suggestions. Keep work area clean & debris free. Identify & correct hazards. Set-up/clean equipment, worktables, sinks & drains at beginning & end of shift. Ensure compliance with State & Federal Sanitation Guidelines. Wash pots, pans, food preparation bowls & dishes. Perform full range of kitchen cleaning.

Job Summary

Under supervision of Unit Chef and Sous Chefs, serve as lead to a diverse group of employees to meet customer service, food quality, sanitation, and safety standards. Guide, delegate, and assign a wide range of tasks to Career and Student employees. Cook all food assigned to standards of excellent taste, quality & appearance. Prepare food from scratch including entrees, starches, vegetables, gravies & sauces, soups, breads, desserts, etc. Work independently preparing entrees & following recipes & menus & batch cooking guidelines without direction. Ensure all items are prepared on time with designated presentation. Monitor cost control by using professional techniques with regards to food production, portion control, utilizing leftover food items, recognizing safety, budget & quality factors & tracking food usage using daily report. Maintain unit standards for product quality, service, cleanliness, communication, training & work order flow. Prepare menus for special events. Provide training to staff. Continuously monitor & receive customer orders, read tickets, monitor ticket times, communicate when assistance is needed. Review on hand levels & communicate facility needs. Receive & review incoming shipments, & confirm quality & safety of product, as well as accurate product delivery & invoicing. Complete assigned inventory for facility in an accurate & timely fashion. Provide guidance & support to other cooks through training, delegation of duties, & decision making. Be a solution-oriented leader to direct or fill vacancies/absences in various areas/tasks normally filled by alternate staff. Model culinary & customer service department wide expectations. Interact with internal & external customers by demonstrating professionalism, enthusiasm & integrity. Convey welcoming attitude. Ensure positive guest experience by accommodating special requests & making suggestions. Keep work area clean & debris free. Identify & correct hazards. Set-up/clean equipment, worktables, sinks & drains at beginning & end of shift. Ensure compliance with State & Federal Sanitation Guidelines. Wash pots, pans, food preparation bowls & dishes. Perform full range of kitchen cleaning.

Apply By Date: November 5th 2026, by 11:59PM.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications - For full consideration, applicants are encouraged to upload license and/or certification if required of the position

• Four years of experience in food preparation and general maintenance of a kitchen area; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience providing excellent customer service in a fast-paced food environment.
• Culinary and cooking experience in a fast-paced food production environment to prepare complex recipes using varying culinary techniques, including but not limited to sautéing, grilling, frying, steaming, and preparing sauces and stocks..
• Experience training, leading, and monitoring support staff in a cooking and service environment.
• Experience maintaining a sanitary, safe and organized personal work area, checking food temperatures following food and physical safety guidelines.
• Ability to taste and discern product quality, read, and interpret recipes and menus, estimate ingredient requirements, monitor production, and keep records.
• Skills to communicate in English, both orally and in written form to understand and carry out oral and written instructions and interact effectively with co-workers, supervisors, and guests.

Preferred Qualifications

• Culinary experience in a commercial food environment to cook regional cuisines and accommodate dietary needs.
• Experience reading, interpreting, and delivering food product based on customer needs.
• 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.
• Knowledge of UC policies and procedures.
• Problem solving skills to troubleshoot problems as they arise, find alternate solutions, and implement solutions in a professional and efficient manner.

Key Responsibilities

• 40% - Cooking, Culinary Planning, And Quality Control
• 30% - Shift Lead
• 15% - Safety & Sanitation
• 15% - Customer Service and Communication

Department Overview

Student Housing and Dining Services (SHDS) is a self-supporting auxiliary that provides housing and dining services to approximately 15,000 undergraduate, graduate, and students with families who live in on-campus residential facilities (university owned/managed and Public-Private-Partnerships), as well as providing residential, retail and catering dining services for the campus community. SHDS also provides student support and conference housing services to the campus and general community. For more information about SHDS visit our website at http://www.housing.ucdavis.edu. Student Housing and Dining Services has adopted the following Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion statement: Student Housing and Dining Services, is committed to serving the needs of students, staff, faculty and guests from various backgrounds and identities. In full support of our institutional commitment to embrace diversity and practice inclusive excellence, we expect every member of our community to acknowledge, value, and uphold the guidelines set forth in the Principles of Community. As a community of scholars and life-long learners, we commit ourselves to learning together about our differences and commonalities while growing in all areas of equity, diversity, and inclusion.

POSITION INFORMATION

• Salary or Pay Range: $23.50/hr. - $30.42/hr.
• Salary Frequency: Bi-weekly
• Salary Grade: STEPS
• UC Job Title: COOK SR
• UC Job Code: 005522
• Number of Positions: 1
• Appointment Type: Staff: Career
• Percentage of Time: 100%
• Shift (Work Schedule): Variable
• Location: Davis
• Union Representation: SX-Service Workers
• Benefits Eligible: Yes
• This position is 100% on-site

Benefits

Outstanding benefits and perks are among the many rewards of working for the University of California. UC Davis offers a full range of benefits, resources and programs to help you bring your best self to work, as well as to help you and your family achieve your health, wellness, financial and career goals. Learn more about the benefits below and eligibility rules by visiting either our handy Benefits Summary for UC Davis Health Employees or Benefits Summary for UC Davis Employees and our Benefits Page.

• High quality and low-cost medical plans to choose from to fit your family's needs
• UC pays for Dental and Vision insurance premiums for you and your family
• Extensive leave benefits including Pregnancy and Parental Leave, Family & Medical Leave
• Paid Holidays annually as stipulated in the UC Davis Health Policies or Collective Bargaining Agreement
• Paid Time Off/Vacation/Sick Time as stipulated in the UC Davis Health Policies or Collective Bargaining Agreement
• Continuing Education (CE) allowance and Education Reimbursement Program as stipulated in the UC Davis Health Policies or Collective Bargaining Agreement
• 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/long term disability, pet insurance and legal coverage
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSFL) Qualified Employer & Student Loan Repayment Assistance Program for qualified roles
• Retirement benefit options for eligible roles including Pension and other Retirement Saving Plans. More information on our retirement benefits can be found here

Physical Demands

• Standing - Continuous 6 to 8+ Hours
• Walking - Continuous 6 to 8+ Hours
• Sitting - Continuous 6 to 8+ Hours
• Lifting/Carrying 0-25 Lbs - Continuous 6 to 8+ Hours
• Lifting/Carrying 26-50 lbs - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Lifting/Carrying over 50 lbs - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Pushing/Pulling 0-25 Lbs - Continuous 6 to 8+ Hours
• Pushing/Pulling 26-50 lbs - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Pushing/Pulling over 50 lbs - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Bending/Stooping - Continuous 6 to 8+ Hours
• Squatting/Kneeling - Continuous 6 to 8+ Hours
• Twisting - Continuous 6 to 8+ Hours
• Climbing (e.g., stairs or ladders) - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Reaching overhead - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Keyboard use/repetitive motion - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours

Environmental Demands

• Chemicals, dust, gases, or fumes - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Loud noise levels - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Marked changes in humidity or temperature - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Microwave/Radiation - Occasional Up To 3 Hours
• Operating motor vehicles and/or equipment - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Extreme Temperatures - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Uneven Surfaces or Elevations - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours

Mental Demands

• Sustained attention and concentration - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Complex problem solving/reasoning - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Ability to organize & prioritize - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Communication skills - Continuous 6 to 8+ Hours
• Numerical skills - Continuous 6 to 8+ Hours
• Constant Interaction - Continuous 6 to 8+ Hours
• Customer/Patient Contact - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Multiple Concurrent Tasks - Continuous 6 to 8+ Hours

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‑g: e‑c