Line Cook (Hotel Job)

Kirkwood Community College is a respected institution dedicated to providing quality education and professional development opportunities across various fields. One of its notable divisions, the Kirkwood Community College Center for Hospitality Excellence, is committed to becoming a global leader in educating and preparing top-notch hospitality professionals. The Center aims to be the best place not only to learn, but also to recruit and stay within the hospitality industry. This dedication to hospitality education is reflected in its mission to teach, develop, and serve students and the industry alike. The College embraces universal core competencies such as advocating continual improvement, fostering collaboration with mutual accountability, championing exceptional service, persevering through challenges, and leading positively regardless of title.

The role being offered is for a Cook II position within the Kirkwood Center for Hospitality Arts and The Hotel at Kirkwood Center. This position involves preparing, seasoning, and cooking a variety of food items including soups, meats, vegetables, and desserts, catering to both fine dining guests and banquet or event attendees. Weekend availability is a must for candidates applying for this role, with competitive starting wages of $16.07 per hour at Line I and $17.53 per hour at Line II levels. This role also serves as a trainer, responsible for supervising and guiding students in their practical culinary experiences within the hotel and educational settings.

As a Cook II, candidates will be expected to inspect food preparation and serving areas to ensure safe and sanitary practices, assist or substitute for other cooks during emergencies or rush periods, and manage food preparation tasks that include washing, peeling, cutting, and seeding fruits and vegetables. The position requires consistent and regular attendance, the ability to identify and explain ingredients to cater to dietary inquiries, and the preparation and service of family meals for hotel employees. Essential performance expectations include effective time management, strong organizational skills, the ability to follow detailed recipes and menus, and physical stamina to stand for prolonged periods while performing bending, squatting, and reaching movements.

Candidates will join an inclusive work environment that values and nurtures people from diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences. Positions within the kitchen demand physical activity such as sitting, climbing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, and lifting up to 50 pounds, along with constant standing, walking, and other sensory activities like tasting and smelling to ensure high quality food preparation. Kirkwood Community College is an equal opportunity employer, committed to non-discrimination across race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, creed, religion, and family status. The workplace is designed to avoid barriers to equal employment and provide accommodations as necessary to enable all employees to succeed.

Overall, this Cook II position offers an excellent opportunity for individuals passionate about culinary arts and hospitality education to advance their careers while contributing to a leading community college known for its excellence in hospitality training.