Lead Cook - Mariners Church

Mission Viejo, CA, USA|

Job Overview

Compensation

Hourly

Range $17.25 - $30.25

Benefits

Medical insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Retirement Plan

Paid Time Off

Parental leave

Disability Coverage

Job Description

Aramark is a global leader in food and facilities management services, proudly serving millions of guests daily across 15 countries. As a company rooted deeply in service and united by a strong sense of purpose, Aramark strives to make a positive impact on its employees, partners, communities, and the environment. The company is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, or other legally protected statuses. Aramark fosters a professional environment where employees can develop their talents, fuel their passions, and empower their career growth. With comprehensive benefit programs, including medical, dental, vision, retirement savings plans like 401(k), and paid time off such as parental leave and disability coverage, Aramark supports its workforce both professionally and personally.

The Lead Cook position at Aramark is a vital culinary role responsible for preparing and cooking food according to standard recipes and production guidelines while strictly adhering to food safety, handling, and sanitation procedures. This role requires expertise in safely operating kitchen equipment such as grills, fryers, ovens, and broilers, as well as skillful knife handling. As a supervisory role, the Lead Cook is expected to delegate responsibilities and schedule daily activities for kitchen staff, ensuring operational excellence and compliance with safety standards. This position offers an hourly wage ranging from $17.25 to $30.25, reflecting the candidate's skills and experience. The role is dynamic with duties that may vary dependent upon specific client requirements and business needs. The Lead Cook will train and guide team members in their duties, providing leadership while maintaining a positive and customer-focused attitude in the culinary environment. Schedules, production records, and security of company assets are also part of the responsibilities. Working at Aramark means being part of a company that values adaptability, collaboration, and continuous skill development. The Lead Cook will engage in a fast-paced kitchen environment, applying various cooking methods including baking, roasting, broiling, and steaming to prepare meats, vegetables, and other food items. This role demands a high level of professionalism, food safety certification, and the ability to work independently with limited supervision. Physical demands may include lifting, bending, pushing, pulling, and extended periods of standing or walking, along with necessary use of personal protective equipment. Aramark's Lead Cook role offers a fulfilling career path for those passionate about culinary arts and leadership within a respected global company.

Job Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent
previous supervisor experience preferred
prior experience working as a cook or in a related culinary role required
valid food safety certification
ability to work independently and take initiative
strong knowledge of food safety regulations and sanitation procedures
capability to safely handle kitchen equipment and utensils including knives
physical ability to perform tasks including lifting, bending, pushing, pulling, and standing for extended periods
willingness to wear uniforms and use personal protective equipment
excellent interpersonal and communication skills

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