Kitchen Lead

Arizona Department of Administration • Prescott, AZ

2d • Onsite

About The Position

Works under the general supervision of the Food Services Manager. Has the authority to exercise limited flexibility in choosing methods and processes to complete assignments. Performs a variety of cooking and general food preparation activities; prepares special diet food, assists in keeping kitchen areas safe and clean and exhibiting proper food storage; serves in a lead cook capacity. Work product consists of food prepared according to menu and standardized recipes; prep work for future meals and next day; may assist with the delivery of meals to inbound residents on site.

Requirements

• Knowledge of food textures and consistencies as related to residents' ability to consume them without difficulty.
• Knowledge of cooking techniques used to preserve natural nutrients and palatability of product.
• Knowledge of proper temperature ranges for thawing, cooking and storage of food.
• Knowledge of the methods, materials and practices of institutional food service.
• Knowledge of applicable sanitation and safety codes, rules and regulations.
• Knowledge of policies and procedures established for the work unit.
• Knowledge of precautions needed to guard against health hazards.
• Knowledge of cleaning materials, methods and techniques.
• Knowledge of health hazards in food service activities.
• Knowledge of basic arithmetic computation methods.
• Skill in slicing, dicing and shredding products to achieve optimum presentability and freshness.
• Skill in preparing nutritional, palatable food with minimal waste.
• Skill in using and operating cooking equipment.
• Ability to work well in a team environment, preparing food for residents with various wants and needs.
• Ability to motivate and supervise subordinates and maintain quality and quantity in production.
• Ability to establish and maintain work relationships.
• Ability to communicate verbally and in writing.
• Ability to present food in an attractive manner.
• Must undergo annual screening for TB with negative results.
• Current Arizona Food Handler's Permit.
• Valid Arizona Class 1 fingerprint Card.

Responsibilities

• Prepare menu items following recipe instructions and adjusting for number of portions; adjust for therapeutic diets; prepare in time to meet serving schedules.
• Prepares special diet food; ensures proper textures and consistencies as related to residents' or clients' ability to consume them without difficulty.
• Ensures proper storage temperatures, dating, rotation of foodstuffs.
• Maintains safe, appropriate temperatures on food line.
• Clean kitchen area thoroughly for preparation of next meal's food, following standards of sanitation set by the Department of Health Services; make cleaning assignments to other food service employees as needed.
• Reviews menus for next day, daily count of residents, special activities, special diet orders; determines what preparation work needs to be done.
• Supervise other employees and direct work assignments in addition to ordering food needed when Food Services Manager is absent.
• Participates in establishing and maintaining a safe and sanitary work environment.
• Receives food and supplies; checks quantities and specifications to ensure compliance with purchase orders; stores in proper area.
• Train new cooks in Home duties and responsibilities; suggest and implement new menu items that meet the needs of the Home; coordinate with the Diet Tech in developing recipes and menus for those residents with special dietary needs.
• Maintains list of residents requiring special diets, writes changes on diet cards from notes provided by medical staff.
• Serve food in individual portions for distribution on food carts to infirmaries, observing requirements of special diets according to doctor's orders.
• Prepare food on individual plates for serving in dining room, observing requirements of special diets according to doctor's orders.
• Other duties as assigned as related to the position.

Benefits

• Optional employee benefits include short-term disability insurance, deferred compensation plans, and supplemental life insurance.
• Life insurance and long-term disability insurance.
• Vacation with 10 paid holidays per year.
• Health and dental insurance.
• Retirement plan.
• Sick leave.
• Paid Parental Leave program.

What This Job Offers

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