Head Cook

Alpharus Health•Chicago, IL

9d•$19 - $28•Onsite

About The Position

Alpharus Health is seeking a dedicated Head Cook to join their residential treatment facility. The role involves providing nutritious and well-prepared meals for residents undergoing substance abuse treatment. The Head Cook will support the recovery process by ensuring quality food preparation, maintaining a clean and organized kitchen, and assisting with menu planning. This is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact in a supportive and structured environment.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Current ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certificate by date of hire.
In-depth knowledge of quantity food preparation procedures and standards, menu planning, and inventory control in order to plan and oversee kitchen operations at a level normally acquired through two to three years progressively more responsible, related experience.
Three to six months on-the-job experience to acquire necessary familiarity with area policies and procedures.
Ability to use computer keyboard and standard word processing and spreadsheet applications preferred.
Interpersonal skills necessary to assign work to others, explain area procedures and standards, and develop and maintain cooperative working relationships.
Analytical skills necessary to plan and evaluate menus, organize and oversee area operations, and monitor area expenses and compliance with standards and regulations.
Valid local driver’s license, and at least 25 years of age.

Responsibilities

Consults with designated nutrition or dietetics contracted professional to ensure planned menus, and kitchen procedures and operations, are in compliance with applicable health and nutrition regulations and standards.
Plans menus in accordance with client needs and preferences, as well as to control costs, limit waste and spoilage, and ensure effective utilization of food items.
Responsible for organizing and overseeing work of personnel and assigned clients engaged in preparing and serving meals, and cleaning kitchen equipment and work areas. Provides training, completes work schedules and assignments, monitors and evaluates performance, and enforces area policies and procedures.
Reviews menus and ensures all items are prepared in accordance with established meal schedules, recipes and standards including taste, temperature, appearance, and special diets.
Regularly performs food preparation, cooking, and serving duties.
Responsible for ensuring kitchen work, storage, and serving areas are clean, sanitary and orderly. Performs, or oversees others engaged in, kitchen sanitation tasks including washing and cleaning utensils and equipment.
Orders food items and kitchen supplies in accordance with established budget from approved vendors, and ensures food items required for planned menus are on hand. Ensures proper inventory control by monitoring requisition logs and utilization, and ensuring stock labeling and rotation procedures are followed.
Maintains area records and logs, such as time worked, food requisitions, meals served, equipment maintenance, inventory levels, and so forth. Completes required surveys and forms related to meals served, and health and safety standards and regulations.
Assists in planning budgets for assigned areas.
May operate Center vehicle to pick up or deliver food items and supplies.

Benefits

Medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and dependents
Employee wellness program promoting health and fitness and offering cash-saving premiums
Employee assistance programs focused on mental health
403(b) Retirement Plan with 3% employer match
Short-term and Long-term Disability and Life and AD&D Insurance paid for by Alpharus
Flexible Spending Accounts for medical and dependent care
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
18 paid time off days per year – accrual rates increase with years of service
9 paid company holidays
Work-life-balance
Training & Development Programs
Tuition Reimbursement - up to $5,250 per calendar year
eLearning access to online courses that provide CEUs and job-related training
Clinical Supervision: Formal and informal guidance