Cook I

ChristianaCare•Wilmington, DE

9d•$19 - $28

About The Position

Prepares a wide variety of foods—including meats, fish, poultry, and fresh, frozen, canned, and dehydrated vegetables—in accordance with standardized recipes and standard operating procedures. Ensures food is attractive, palatable, and served at the appropriate temperature, with attention to merchandising and visual appeal. Complies with ChristianaCare, federal, and state health codes and departmental sanitation and safety requirements. The schedule varies, with shifts generally falling between 5:00 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. or 11:00 a.m. and 7:30 p.m., as well as some shifts between those timeframes. Working every other weekend and holiday is required. The role has frequent contact with supervisors, clinical dietitians, and employees, and occasional contact with patients and customers regarding recipes, substitutions, run-outs, and quality-control concerns. The position does not supervise others and receives direction from the Associate Director, Administrative Manager, Supervisors, and Cook II.

Requirements

High school graduate or equivalent.
Knowledge of food-service equipment operation and use.
Knowledge of departmental policies and procedures.
Ability to read and follow standardized recipes.
Ability to calculate recipe quantities and extensions using simple math.
Ability to communicate verbally and in writing.
Ability to exercise judgment in responding to customer and patient demands.
Ability to manage stress in a highly visible service organization.
Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers and other departments.
Ability to measure food quantities.
Ability to distinguish color for food-item evaluation and quality control.
Ability to determine product-ordering needs from production sheets using simple math.
Ability to solve problems and make decisions concerning food shortages or substitutions.
Interpersonal skills focused on customer and patient satisfaction.
Ability to work every other weekend and holiday.

Nice To Haves

Six months of food-service experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

Prepare a wide variety of foods according to standardized recipes and procedures, ensuring attractiveness, palatability, appropriate temperature, and visual appeal.
Extend recipes to meet production quantities based on requested amounts.
Taste and smell cooked food to assess quality and take corrective action as needed.
Date and rotate perishable items and serve them according to FIFO guidelines.
Discuss leftovers and potential run-outs with supervision.
Keep work areas clean and organized, including maintaining food dating, labeling, and shelf organization in the cook’s walk-in.
Provide courteous, quality customer service to patients, visitors, customers, and coworkers, and practice service recovery.
Complete assignments within established timeframes while maintaining productivity without direct supervision.
Communicate relevant information and feedback to coworkers and supervisors and follow written and verbal instructions.
Stay informed about changes to policies, procedures, and equipment; complete mandatory education; participate in meetings; and remain receptive to coaching and mentoring.
Follow ChristianaCare and department policies, procedures, sanitation rules, and safety responsibilities.
Interact with patients, families, coworkers, management, physicians, and other department staff with compassion, empathy, sensitivity, patience, and respect.