Lead Cook - Arnolds Dining - SMU Hospitality - Southern Methodist Univ.

Job Overview

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Benefits

Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
Paid Time Off
Retirement Plan
Employee Discounts
Training and Development
Uniform allowance

Job Description

Aramark is a global leader in providing food services, facilities management, and uniform services across various sectors including education, healthcare, business, and sports and entertainment. With a presence in 15 countries, Aramark proudly serves millions of guests every day, delivering quality and innovative experiences tailored to their clients' specific needs. The company is deeply rooted in service and united by a shared purpose to positively impact its employees, partners, communities, and the planet. Aramark values equal employment opportunity and fosters an inclusive workplace where everyone is free to participate and grow professionally.

The role of Lead Cook at Aramark is a vital position responsible for cooking and preparing food by following standard recipes and production guidelines while adhering strictly to food safety, food handling, and sanitation procedures. This role requires proficiency in safely handling kitchen equipment such as knives, grills, fryers, ovens, and broilers, with the ability to operate various cooking appliances efficiently. Besides food preparation and cooking, the Lead Cook is expected to supervise kitchen staff by scheduling and assigning daily tasks, training employees on cooking methods, food safety regulations, and sanitation standards, and ensuring a smooth workflow in the kitchen.

The Lead Cook plays a critical role in setting up workstations, preparing ingredients through measuring, weighing, mixing, chopping, trimming, and peeling food items. They are also responsible for ensuring the food is stored properly by complying with company and regulatory food safety policies. The role involves a variety of cooking techniques including baking, roasting, broiling, and steaming, which are applied to meats, vegetables, and other foods. Maintaining cleanliness and sanitizing work areas and equipment is a key aspect of the job, ensuring that all food utensils and kitchen surfaces meet hygiene standards.

Additionally, the Lead Cook maintains excellent customer service by fostering a positive attitude towards guests, customers, and colleagues. This position requires adherence to Aramark's safety policies and security protocols to protect company assets. The Lead Cook may also be involved in producing and maintaining employee work schedules and preparing production records as required by the business operations.

This role is dynamic and may involve physical demands such as lifting, bending, pushing, pulling, and extended periods of walking or standing. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and uniforms are likely required to comply with safety standards. Working as a Lead Cook at Aramark not only provides an opportunity to utilize and develop culinary skills but also to grow professionally within a company that invests in talent development. Aramark offers an environment where individuals who are passionate about their craft and committed to quality service can thrive and contribute to a greater mission of making a positive impact globally.

Job Requirements

  • High school diploma or equivalent
  • Food safety certification
  • Previous cooking experience
  • Ability to work in a fast-paced environment
  • Ability to stand for extended periods
  • Ability to lift and carry heavy objects
  • Effective communication skills
  • Ability to follow safety and sanitation guidelines
  • Willingness to work flexible hours including weekends and holidays

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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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

Job Criteria

Experience

Mid Level (3-7 years)


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