Kitchen Cook

Covenant House Illinois • Chicago, IL

2d • Onsite

About The Position

Covenant House Illinois (CHIL) is seeking a Kitchen Cook to prepare balanced, nutritious meals and snacks for youth aged 18-24 experiencing homelessness. This role involves adhering to food health and safety procedures, assisting with donated foods, coordinating outside catered meals, and maintaining a clean and sanitary kitchen environment. CHIL is dedicated to providing tailored, wraparound services to help young people achieve sustainable independence.

Requirements

• Certified Food Service Sanitation issued by the City of Chicago Department of Public Health.
• High school diploma or GED required.
• Three years of proven experience in food preparation, restaurant, or cafeteria service.
• Understanding of and ability to prepare diets from Latin, African American, and Kosher cultures.
• Experience working with youth, preferably in a residential setting.
• Understand and comply with all Agency policies and procedures.
• Is approachable, relatable, builds rapport well, and practices active listening with individuals of varied cultural backgrounds, embracing differences in behavior and lifestyle choices.
• Can maintain confidentiality.
• Able to accommodate a wide range of physical activity, including but not limited to lifting bags or boxes up to 40 pounds, required to stand, kneel or climb stairs, carry large pots full of hot food.
• Pass federal, state, and local background check investigations.
• Valid Illinois Driver’s License with acceptable driving record.

Responsibilities

• Prepare daily meals, including breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
• Maintain good sanitation and safety practices, including personal appearance and hygiene.
• Weigh, measure, mix, and prep ingredients according to recipes.
• Steam, grill, boil, bake, or fry meats, fish, vegetables, and other ingredients.
• Arrange and garnish special dishes as instructed by the Kitchen Coordinator.
• Examine donations and store them appropriately.
• Maintain cleanliness and sanitation of refrigerators, freezers, stoves, and other food preparation equipment.
• Notify the Kitchen Coordinator of needed repairs.
• Perform other duties as necessary or required as assigned by the Kitchen Coordinator or the Director of Administration and Operations.

What This Job Offers

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