Chef Assistant

The Whole Person is a well-established not-for-profit organization located in the Greater Kansas City Area, proudly celebrating 40 years of dedicated service in 2024. With a robust annual operating budget of $35 million, The Whole Person employs a team of 88 full-time and over 30 part-time employees, fostering a collaborative and inclusive work environment. The organization is committed to supporting and empowering individuals through innovative programs and services designed to meet diverse community needs. Known for its employee-centric culture, The Whole Person emphasizes work-life balance, professional development, and comprehensive benefits, making it an exceptional place to build a career within the nonprofit sector.

The current opportunity is for the position of Chef Assistant within the Catering Department. This full-time, hourly nonexempt position reports directly to the Catering Chef and involves a standard workweek of 40 hours, Monday through Friday, with no nights or weekends required. The hourly wage for this role is competitive and commensurate with experience, providing flexibility and stability for the successful candidate.

In this role, the Chef Assistant will play an integral part in supporting the Catering Chef by assisting with the preparation of menu items, fulfilling catering orders, and helping to execute individual lunch orders. The role requires working closely with the chef to ensure all food is prepared in accordance with strict safety, health, and sanitation guidelines, maintaining the highest quality standards. The assistant will be responsible for practicing proper portion control during deli production service, observing correct rotation and labeling procedures to monitor product dates effectively, and operating, cleaning, and maintaining kitchen equipment with care and safety. Additionally, the Chef Assistant will be expected to accurately follow recipes and menu items, ensuring consistency and attention to detail, and to manage kitchen operations during times when the chef is engaged in teaching the EmployAbilities Program.

This position demands a candidate with a strong background in commercial kitchen settings, ideally with a minimum of two years of experience. Candidates must either hold or be able to obtain a Food Handler's License from the State of Missouri. The role benefits those who thrive within a team environment, demonstrate high morale, excellent communication, and customer service skills. Organization and cleanliness are critical traits, along with the flexibility to occasionally work additional hours during busy periods and the ability to manage stress effectively under pressure.

Physical demands of the job include standing for extended periods and regularly lifting up to 50 pounds, along with the ability to access various surfaces and items within the kitchen environment, with or without reasonable accommodation. The organization also requires all employees to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination upon hire, aligning with health and safety protocols.

Employees of The Whole Person enjoy numerous benefits including five or more weeks of paid time off annually, which increases with tenure; rollover of unused PTO up to 350 hours; fully flexible scheduling; full payment of employee medical, dental, vision, gap medical insurance, short-term and long-term disability, and term life insurance; retirement contributions of 6.37% of gross pay into a 403(b) plan; and eleven legal holidays on top of the PTO. The organization fosters a positive work culture with activities led by a dedicated FUN Committee and allocates funds for professional development, ensuring that every employee has opportunities to grow and feel valued. The Whole Person values diversity and equal opportunity, encouraging applicants with disabilities and all backgrounds to apply for this rewarding role.