Senior Cook, International House (5522C) #88701

University of California, Berkeley; Berkeley (CA); On-site; USD 37,000 - 44,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

UC benefits

Career position

Job summary

The University of California, Berkeley is seeking a Senior Cook to join its dining services team. The role focuses on developing nutritious menus, promoting sustainability, and delivering appealing dishes in a fast-paced dining hall.

Key responsibilities include supervising kitchen staff, training on safety, managing inventory, and coordinating with front-of-house for timely service. Four years of kitchen experience and ServSafe certification are preferred.

Qualifications

• Ability to read, write, and perform basic arithmetic.
• Culinary skills: proficient in cooking methods, knife skills, baking and pastry.
• Leadership and management: lead and motivate kitchen staff.
• Time management: prioritize tasks in fast-paced environment.
• Problem-solving: address issues in kitchen, staff shortages, or equipment.
• Communication: clear and effective with kitchen, front-of-house, and management.
• Creativity: develop new recipes and present dishes attractively.
• Adaptability: adjust to changing circumstances, dietary requests, and demands.

Responsibilities

• Collaborating with management to create and update menus.
• Experimenting with new recipes and dishes; ensure cost-effectiveness.
• Overseeing preparation and cooking to established standards.
• Leading kitchen staff; training on procedures and safety.
• Monitoring stock levels; ordering supplies; minimizing waste.
• Ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations.
• Coordinating timing with front-of-house for service.

Skills

Read and write

Culinary skills

Leadership

Time management

Problem solving

Communication

Creativity

Adaptability

Education

Four years of experience in food preparation and kitchen maintenance

Job description

About Berkeley

At the University of California, Berkeley, we are dedicated to fostering a community where everyone feels welcome and can thrive. Our culture of openness, freedom, and belonging makes it a special place for students, faculty, and staff, who are among the most talented and accomplished anywhere, including Nobel laureates, Pulitzer Prize winners, and MacArthur Fellows. Since our founding in 1868, we have been an engine for innovation - driving intellectual, economic, and social progress that benefits California, the U.S., and beyond. Together, we change the world.

About Berkeley

At the University of California, Berkeley, we are dedicated to fostering a community where everyone feels welcome and can thrive. Our culture of openness, freedom, and belonging makes it a special place for students, faculty, and staff, who are among the most talented and accomplished anywhere, including Nobel laureates, Pulitzer Prize winners, and MacArthur Fellows. Since our founding in 1868, we have been an engine for innovation - driving intellectual, economic, and social progress that benefits California, the U.S., and beyond. Together, we change the world.

At Berkeley, the best careers are built on a foundation of continuous learning and growth. We actively support professional development by providing all full‑time staff employees with at least 80 hours of paid time per year and provide space for supportive colleague communities via numerous employee resource groups.

We invite applicants who are inspired by our Principles of Community and who are eager to be part of our exciting Strategic Plan, which charts Berkeley's next era of excellence.

Learn more about some of our accomplishments at Points of Pride.

Departmental Overview

Truly a unique and inspirational organization, International House is committed to fostering intercultural respect and leadership skills to promote an equitable, peaceful world. Originally founded in 1930, International House remains a vibrant community, affiliated with the University of California, Berkeley.

International House fosters lifelong friendships and learning within a highly multicultural community, promoting greater understanding and acceptance. International House is also home to the Robertson Resident Life and Intercultural Development Office (RIO), a center for programming and training to cultivate leadership, understanding, and cross‑cultural collaboration.

Through RIO, students are provided the opportunity to broaden their knowledge and skills in engaging with various cultures, building diverse teams, leading inclusivity, and creating a culture of belonging. As it approaches its centennial, I‑House is positioned in a crucial space to continue broadening perspectives in our increasingly global world.

At International House, we believe that the world is more peaceful when we embrace diversity. We seek, value, and are committed to hiring talented and qualified individuals from diverse backgrounds. We celebrate all our differences and foster inclusion across, but not limited to, race, ethnicity, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, religion, ability, parental status, and experience.

Position Summary

The Senior Cook collaborates with the culinary team to develop and plan nutritious, appealing menus that cater to diverse dietary needs, incorporating seasonal ingredients and local produce to enhance freshness and sustainability. This position prepares and cooks a variety of dishes to ensure that quality, taste, and presentation meet dining hall standards. The Senior Cook oversees and mentors kitchen staff, conducts training on food preparation and safety, and monitors food quality and sanitation. Additionally, this position manages inventory levels, coordinates with front‑of‑house staff, and assists in planning special events and catering services to enhance the dining experience through innovative cooking methods.

Application Review Date

The First Review Date for this job is September 22, 2026. For full consideration, please apply by the first review date.

Responsibilities

Menu Planning and Development

• Collaborating with management to create and update menus.
• Experimenting with new recipes and dishes.
• Ensuring menu items are cost-effective and appealing.

Food Preparation and Cooking

• Overseeing the preparation and cooking of meals.
• Ensuring food quality and presentation meet established standards.
• Managing cooking techniques and processes for efficiency.

Supervision and Training of Staff

• Leading and supervising kitchen staff, including line cooks and prep cooks.
• Training new employees on kitchen procedures, safety, and food handling.
• Conducting performance evaluations and providing feedback.

Inventory Management

• Monitoring stock levels of ingredients and supplies.
• Ordering and receiving food supplies as needed.
• Minimizing waste and managing cost controls.

Kitchen Safety and Sanitation

• Ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations.
• Implementing and overseeing kitchen sanitation practices.
• Conducting regular checks to maintain cleanliness and organization.

Collaboration with Front‑of‑House Staff

• Communicating with servers and management about special requests or menu changes.
• Coordinating the timing of food service to ensure efficient meal delivery.

Required Qualifications

• Ability to read, write, and perform basic arithmetic calculations.
• Culinary Skills: Proficient in cooking methods, knife skills, baking, and pastry preparation.
• Leadership and Management: Ability to lead and motivate kitchen staff, delegate tasks effectively, and foster teamwork.
• Time Management: Strong skills in prioritizing tasks and managing time effectively in a fast‑paced environment.
• Problem‑Solving: Ability to quickly address issues that arise in the kitchen, including staff shortages or equipment failures.
• Communication: Clear and effective communication skills for interacting with kitchen staff, front‑of‑house staff, and management.
• Creativity: Innovative thinking to create new recipes, adapt existing ones, and present dishes attractively.
• Adaptability: Ability to adjust to changing circumstances, such as menu changes, dietary requests, and varying kitchen demands.

Education / Training

• Four years of experience in food preparation and general maintenance of a kitchen area; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Licenses / Certifications

• ServSafe

Salary & Benefits

For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, please visit the University of California's Compensation & Benefits website.

Under California law, the University of California, Berkeley is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions, including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, analysis of internal equity, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.

The budgeted hourly range the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $26.71 - $31.91 (stepped rates).

• This is a non‑exempt, bi‑weekly paid position.
• This is a full‑time (40 hours/week) Career position eligible for UC benefits.

Other Information

• This is not a visa opportunity. This position does not include sponsorship of a new consular H‑1B visa petition that would require payment of the $100,000 supplemental fee.
• This position is governed by the terms and conditions in the agreement for the Service Unit (SX) between the University of California and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME). The current bargaining agreement manual can be found at: http://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/labor/bargaining-units/sx/index.html

Conviction History Background

This is a designated position requiring fingerprinting and a background check due to the nature of the job responsibilities. Berkeley does hire people with conviction histories and reviews information received in the context of the job responsibilities. The University reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check.

Mandated Reporter