Cook - Lehigh Valley Meal Center

Whitsons Culinary Group • Allentown, PA

9d • Onsite

About The Position

The Cook prepares and serves fresh, nutritious meals for students according to school menus, recipes, portion guidelines, and nutritional standards. The role organizes kitchen operations, coordinates cooking schedules to meet meal-service deadlines, and helps ensure food is safely prepared, well presented, and ready on time. The Cook supports and guides kitchen team members, maintains a clean and efficient kitchen, oversees food orders, inventory, and deliveries, accommodates allergies, and complies with food safety and sanitation requirements. Accurate production records and temperature logs must be maintained.

This is a full-time, non-exempt, primarily site-based position. Workdays and hours align with the school district’s food-service schedule; occasional extended hours may be required for special events or operational needs. Occasional travel to other school locations in the district may be needed for substitute coverage or operational support. The position works primarily in a kitchen and food-service production environment, with moderate to loud noise during meal service.

Requirements

• At least 1 year of professional culinary or food-service experience.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Proficiency in cooking techniques, batch cooking, recipe procedures, and recipe execution.
• ServSafe certification, or ability to obtain it within a defined timeframe after hire.
• Local food-safety certification required in the jurisdiction of employment.
• Nassau County Board of Health Certification.
• English speaking and reading ability sufficient to understand and perform assignments, follow recipes, and comply with safety requirements.
• Strong organization and time-management skills.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a food-service team in a fast-paced kitchen environment.
• Ability to lead a kitchen team in a positive, collaborative way.
• Positive and professional presentation and a genuine interest in school nutrition and student health.
• Ability to stand for most of the workday; frequently walk, talk, and hear; handle food, tools, and equipment; reach with hands and arms; and lift or move up to 50 pounds, including while turning side to side.
• Ability to work around hot and cold temperatures and regularly move in and out of storerooms and near ovens and freezers.

Nice To Haves

• School nutrition experience.
• Institutional food-service experience.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and serve meals according to daily school menus, recipes, and portion guidelines.
• Organize kitchen operations and coordinate cooking tasks so meals are safely prepared, well presented, and ready on time.
• Support and guide team members in maintaining a clean, efficient, and positive kitchen environment.
• Oversee food orders, inventory, and deliveries.
• Follow food safety, HACCP, sanitation, and allergy-accommodation requirements.
• Maintain accurate production records and temperature logs on time each shift.
• Meet portioning, presentation, and nutritional compliance standards.
• Keep stations stocked, clean, and properly maintained throughout the service day.
• Work cooperatively with the Chef Manager and other food-service workers to meet daily service goals.
• Maintain a welcoming, clean, and visually appealing meal-service station.
• Follow company policies, production standards, and assigned schedules.
• Travel occasionally to other school locations in the district for coverage or operational support.

Benefits

• Paid training.
• Medical insurance.
• Dental insurance.
• Vision insurance.
• 401(k) with company match.
• Paid time off.
• Paid holidays.
• Competitive pay with opportunities for advancement.
• Supportive team environment.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED