Cook - Dover School Nutrition
About The Position
The Cook prepares a variety of meals according to school menus, ensuring food is safely cooked and presented with care. The role supports meal service by maintaining a clean, organized kitchen and working with the food service team to serve meals in a timely, friendly manner. The Cook also supports special dietary needs and food-allergy safety procedures. This is a full-time, non-exempt position aligned with the school district’s food service schedule. The position is primarily site-based, with occasional travel to other school locations for substitute coverage or operational support. Occasional extended hours may be required for special events or operational needs. The Cook works primarily in a kitchen and food service production environment, where standing is required for most of the workday and noise may be moderate to loud during meal service. The role may involve exposure to hot and cold temperatures from cooking and refrigeration equipment.
Requirements
- High school diploma or equivalent.
- Minimum 1 year of professional culinary or food service experience.
- ServSafe certification, or ability to obtain it within a defined timeframe upon hire; local food safety certification is required in the jurisdiction of employment.
- Proficiency in recipe procedures and cooking techniques.
- Ability to speak and read English sufficiently to understand and perform job assignments, follow recipes, and comply with safety requirements.
- Commitment to cleanliness and food safety.
- Ability to work effectively as part of a food service team in a fast-paced kitchen environment.
- Dependable, positive, and professional attitude.
- Must complete required Whitsons and government training as necessary.
- Ability to stand for most of the workday; frequently walk, talk, hear, handle food, tools, and equipment, and reach with hands and arms.
- Ability to lift and/or move up to 50 pounds, including while turning side to side.
- Ability to work around hot and cold temperatures and move in and out of storerooms and near ovens and freezers.
Nice To Haves
- School nutrition or institutional food service experience.
- Basic knowledge of cooking techniques; training is available for the right person.
- Genuine interest in school nutrition and student health.
Responsibilities
- Cook and prepare a variety of meals according to school menus.
- Ensure food is safely cooked and presented with care.
- Maintain a clean and organized kitchen workspace and keep stations stocked and properly maintained.
- Work with team members to serve meals in a timely and friendly manner.
- Support special dietary needs and food-allergy safety procedures.
- Follow recipes and meet portioning, presentation, and nutritional compliance standards.
- Follow HACCP, ServSafe, food safety, and sanitation standards; accurately complete temperature logs and production records.
- Manage the timing and sequencing of cooking operations to meet meal service deadlines.
- Follow Whitsons policies, production standards, and assigned schedules.
- Travel occasionally to other school locations for substitute coverage or operational support.
Benefits
- Paid training
- Steady hours
- Competitive pay
- Opportunities for growth
- Medical, dental, and vision benefits
- Retirement benefits
- Paid time off
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
High school or GED
