Lead Cook

Wilmington, DE, USA|

Job Overview

Compensation

Hourly

Range $16.75 - $21.25

Benefits

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Paid Time Off

Retirement Plan

Employee Discounts

Career development opportunities

uniform provided

Job Description

Aramark is a leading global provider of food services, facilities management, and uniform services. With operations in 15 countries worldwide, Aramark serves millions of guests daily, focusing on delivering exceptional service and innovative solutions to its clients. The company is deeply rooted in a culture of service and is united by its mission to create positive impacts for employees, partners, communities, and the planet. Aramark values diversity, inclusion, and equal employment opportunities, ensuring a respectful workplace free from discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender, pregnancy, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military status, or veteran status. Aramark is committed to empowering its employees' professional growth, fostering talent development, and providing meaningful career opportunities in a supportive environment.

The Lead Cook role at Aramark is a pivotal position in their food services team and involves hands-on responsibility for cooking and preparing food items according to standard recipes and production guidelines. The Lead Cook must ensure compliance with food safety, food handling, and sanitation procedures while maintaining high-quality food standards. This role requires proficiency in safely using kitchen tools and equipment such as knives, grills, fryers, ovens, and broilers. A crucial part of the job includes supervising kitchen staff, scheduling and assigning work, and providing training on proper cooking techniques and safety protocols. The Lead Cook is also responsible for preparing ingredients through activities like measuring, weighing, mixing, chopping, trimming, and peeling to meet production requirements.

In addition to food preparation, the Lead Cook maintains the cleanliness and sanitation of the workstation, equipment, and utensils, adhering strictly to Aramark's safety policies. The role demands excellent organizational skills for producing and maintaining work schedules and managing production records. The Lead Cook is expected to foster a positive work environment, delivering excellent customer service and maintaining a professional attitude toward guests, clients, coworkers, and customers. Physical demands of the job include lifting, bending, pushing, pulling, and prolonged walking or standing, which necessitates endurance and the ability to work in a dynamic kitchen setting.

Aramark supports their employees by providing necessary personal protective equipment and uniforms as needed for safety and compliance. This role is ideal for individuals who are passionate about culinary arts, have leadership capabilities, and seek to develop their skills in a well-established company with a strong commitment to community and sustainability. The position may vary slightly depending on client requirements and location-specific needs, which requires flexibility and adaptability from the candidate. If you are motivated by a fast-paced environment and want to make a tangible difference through your work, the Lead Cook position at Aramark offers a rewarding opportunity with room for professional growth and development.

Job Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent
previous supervisor experience preferred
experience working as a cook or in a related food preparation role
food safety certification required
ability to work independently and supervise staff
knowledge of food safety, sanitation, and proper food handling procedures
ability to safely handle kitchen equipment and utensils
physical ability to perform duties including lifting, bending, pushing, pulling, and standing for extended periods
willingness to wear uniforms and use personal protective equipment as required

Job Qualifications

Previous supervisor experience in a related role preferred
experience as a cook or related role required
ability to work independently with limited supervision required
proven knowledge of the basic principles of food preparation, various cooking methods, and food safety regulations such as proper food handling, sanitation, and storage
food safety certification required
demonstrates basic math and counting skills
demonstrates effective interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal

Job Duties

Schedules and assigns daily work activities to staff and supervises the completion of tasks
trains and guides staff on job duties, standard food safety and sanitation procedures, cooking methods, etc.
cooks and prepares food following production guidelines and standardized recipes
sets up workstation with all needed ingredients and equipment
prepares ingredients by measuring, weighing, mixing, chopping, trimming, and peeling food items
safely uses all food utensils including knives
operates equipment such as ovens, stoves, slicers, mixers, etc.
bakes, roasts, broils, steams, and uses a variety of cooking methods on meats, vegetables, and other foods
arranges, garnishes, and portions food following established guidelines
properly stores food by following food safety policies and procedures
cleans and sanitizes work areas, equipment, and utensils
maintains excellent customer service with a positive attitude towards guests, customers, clients, co-workers, etc.
follows Aramark safety policies and procedures including food safety and sanitation
ensures security of company assets
produces and maintains work schedules and may prepare production records