Culinary Worker II (Blue Wall)

UMass Amherst • Amherst, NY

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Culinary Worker II performs routine manual and domestic duties in a food service operation, including cooking, cleaning, and serving food. The position prepares foods by following recipes and standard operating procedures, may perform display cooking, assists with more complex dishes, and helps maintain sanitary food preparation, storage, and service areas. The role is based at the Blue Wall Cafe in Amherst and is designated as essential personnel, subject to final budgetary and administrative approval.

The work is performed in custodial or dining service environments and involves prolonged standing, carrying loads, and using cleaning chemicals or food service equipment. The schedule is 1:30 p.m.–9:30 p.m., Monday through Friday; applicants must also be willing to work varied shifts and irregular hours, including weekends, holidays, and nights.

Requirements

• At least six months of food service experience or completion of a culinary certificate program.
• Obtain food handler certification through a University of Massachusetts-approved recognized program, such as ServSafe, within six months of the appointment start date.
• Ability to cook a variety of simple meals and assist in preparing more complex dishes.
• Ability to perform display cooking.
• Knowledge of approved sanitary methods and procedures for handling and serving food.
• Knowledge of approved sanitary methods and procedures for the care and use of kitchen, dining room, and food service equipment.
• Ability to use kitchen, dining room, and food service equipment.
• Ability and stamina to perform manual tasks, including prolonged standing and lifting and carrying heavy objects, and to work in seasonal high and low temperatures.
• Ability to follow simple oral and written instructions and to give oral and/or written instructions precisely and understandably.
• Ability to establish rapport, maintain harmonious working relationships, and deal effectively with customers and agency personnel from varied backgrounds.
• Willingness to work varied shifts and irregular hours, including weekends, holidays, and nights.
• Willingness to work around wet and slippery floors, seasonal high and low temperatures, and sharp surfaces.
• Ability to read and understand recipes.
• Willingness to communicate with customers while performing display cooking.

Responsibilities

• Cook food in large quantities by following recipes and standard operating procedures; perform display cooking when assigned.
• Read computer-generated recipes and menus to prepare simple meals.
• Clean cooking equipment, work areas, food areas, counters, floors, food carts, trays, furniture, utensils, dishes, pots, and pans.
• Peel, chop, wash, and cook food for simple dishes.
• Transport food to and from storage areas, load food carts, move food to serving areas, and serve diners.
• Assist other food services staff with the preparation of more complex dishes.
• Roast, fry, boil, broil, and season meat, fish, poultry, vegetables, and other foods for daily meals.
• Measure and mix ingredients according to recipes.
• Use kitchen utensils and equipment to prepare soups, salads, desserts, dressings, gravies, sauces, and stews.
• Operate cutlery, grinders, and slicers to prepare and portion food for cooking.
• Evaluate food quality, quantity, appearance, temperature, taste, freshness, preparation, and portioning.
• Store food in sanitary storage areas and at appropriate temperatures to prevent spoilage.
• Communicate food and menu problems to Cook I, Cook II, and Cook III employees.
• Make coffee.
• Separate and remove trash and garbage and place them in designated containers.
• Perform related work as required.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Education Level: No Education Listed