Cook - Southeast Youth Development

Whitsons Culinary Group•Collegeville, PA

2h•Onsite

About The Position

Cook with Compassion in a Structured Setting. Do you love preparing meals that make people feel at home? Are you looking for meaningful work where your skills truly make a difference? Join our team as a Cook in a secure residential environment, where you’ll help bring comfort, nourishment, and stability to those in your care—one plate at a time.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent required
Minimum 1 year of professional culinary or food service experience required
ServSafe certification required or must obtain within a defined timeframe upon hire; local food safety certification required in any jurisdiction of employment
Proficient in recipe procedures and cooking techniques
Ability to speak and read English sufficient to understand and perform job assignments, follow recipes, and comply with safety requirements
Always presents a positive and professional image
Ability to work effectively as part of a food service team in a fast-paced kitchen environment
Genuine interest in school nutrition and student health
Demonstrates proficiency in cooking techniques, batch cooking, and recipe execution; consistently meets portioning, presentation, and nutritional compliance standards for every meal served.
Maintains rigorous adherence to HACCP, ServSafe, and all applicable food safety and sanitation standards; completes temperature logs and production records accurately and on time every shift.
Manages the timing and sequencing of cooking operations to meet meal service deadlines consistently; follows all Whitsons policies, production standards, and assigned schedules with accuracy and dependability.
Demonstrates care in portioning, temperature monitoring, station setup, signage, and documentation; ensures every station is stocked, clean, and properly maintained throughout the service day.
Works cooperatively with the Chef Manager and fellow food service workers; contributes to a productive, positive kitchen environment and supports the team in achieving daily service goals.
Takes pride in the quality and presentation of every meal served; maintains a welcoming, clean, and visually appealing station and understands that student satisfaction and participation are the ultimate measure of success.

Nice To Haves

School nutrition or institutional food service experience preferred

Responsibilities

Preparing and cooking meals based on set menus and dietary guidelines
Following batch-cooking practices to ensure quality, freshness, and timing
Ensuring food is served safely—with correct portions, temperatures, and presentation
Keeping kitchen and prep areas clean, organized, and fully stocked
Logging food temperatures and completing required records and checklists
Assisting with food orders and deliveries
Following all sanitation, food safety, and company procedures
Supporting a respectful and routine-focused kitchen environment