Cook - Temp

The Door - A Center of Alternatives is a longstanding nonprofit organization that has been serving young people since 1972. Located in New York City, The Door is dedicated to empowering youth by providing a comprehensive range of services designed to help them reach their full potential. These services include healthcare, education, mental health counseling, legal assistance, college preparation, career development, housing support, arts, sports, recreational activities, and nutritious meals. All services are offered free of charge and are conveniently located under one roof. The organization fosters a diverse and caring environment, aiming to equip motivated young individuals with the necessary tools, resources, and opportunities to successfully transition into adulthood.

The Door collaborates with Broome Street Academy Charter High School, which prepares students for post-secondary success through rigorous academic, career-focused, and social instruction grounded in positive youth development principles. As part of this mission, The Door’s Culinary and Community Wellness team is seeking a dedicated Cook to support their food service operations. This is a temporary position with the potential to become permanent, offering a salary range of $48,000 to $50,000 annually with a 35-hour workweek, Monday through Friday from 7:30 am to 3:30 pm. Multilingual candidates, especially those proficient in French, Spanish, or Arabic, are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Cook will be responsible for supporting food preparation for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and pantry services for students at Broome Street Academy and other participants at The Door. This includes assisting with meal production for 50-75 breakfasts, 125-150 lunches, and 80-100 dinners daily. The kitchen also runs a culinary arts training program, and the Cook will help ensure smooth kitchen operations, maintain high standards, and provide backup support for other food service staff and programs. Essential functions include collaborating with team members, working alongside the Food Service Supervisor and Lead Chef to deliver high-quality culinary instruction and food, helping with ordering supplies, recipe testing, food cost calculations, scheduling interns, and maintaining strict adherence to NYC Health Department standards.

The role requires creativity, flexibility, and a passion for preparing delicious meals while fostering a youth development approach to food service. The Cook will ensure proper hygiene, safety, and regulatory compliance by abiding by Department of Health, OSHA, and Department of Education regulations. Responsibilities also include proper inspection and storage of food products, participating in purchasing and cooking processes, supporting meal service and cleanup activities, maintaining accurate food production and inventory records, and completing necessary documentation for the National School Lunch Program and School Food Authority. The Cook will maintain kitchen sanitation and equipment cleanliness, ensure safe food handling and temperature control, and secure the kitchen at the end of the day. Additional duties may be assigned as needed.

Candidates must have at least two years of line cooking experience and a strong interest in youth development, especially working with adolescents. Experience with the Department of Education or National School Lunch Program is preferred. Strong communication, customer service, patience, and teaching skills are essential to coaching recently graduated students. The Cook must hold a valid NYC Department of Health Food Handlers Certificate, ServeSafe certification, and demonstrate proficiency in operating kitchen equipment and complying with health regulations. Administrative experience, basic computer skills including Microsoft Office proficiency, teamwork, collaboration, and strong organizational skills are also required. The role involves physical requirements such as the ability to lift 30 pounds.

The Door values diversity and inclusion, providing equal opportunity employment regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status. Additionally, the organization adheres to CDC and NYS COVID-19 policies, requiring vaccination for new hires unless exempted. Join The Door and contribute to a community-focused, youth-empowering environment where your culinary skills can make a meaningful difference in young lives.