Prep Cook-Culinary Extern

Mainsail Lodging & Development•Fort Myers, FL

2d•Onsite

About The Position

We’re looking for enthusiastic, fun, and energetic people who take the work seriously, but not themselves. Let’s see if we’re a fit. We hope so. The Prep Cook-Culinary Extern is responsible for supporting the kitchen by preparing ingredients accurately, efficiently, and according to established recipes and standards. This role emphasizes foundational prep work and organization to ensure the kitchen is fully prepared for service. The extern will gain hands-on experience in a professional kitchen environment, focusing on essential prep techniques, food safety, and kitchen operations. This position plays a critical role in maintaining consistency, quality, and efficiency by ensuring all ingredients are properly prepared, labeled, and ready for use.

Requirements

High School diploma or equivalent or higher
Minimum of 1-year experience in restaurant
Excellent customer service skills
Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written
Ability to sit or stand for extended periods of time
Ability to communicate clearly
Corrected vision to normal range
Ability to use knives, kitchen machinery safely and effectively.
Ability to lift 20 lbs.
Long hours sometimes required
Make sound judgments quickly
Ability to work with others in a high demand kitchen
Work on multiple tasks, making appropriate progress towards deadlines
Able to work independently, take direction and provide direction to others
Manage differing personalities within the kitchen, the hotel and the community
Maintain the highest degree of confidentiality
Ability to work effectively in stressful, high pressure situations
Ability to effectively handle challenges in the workplace, including anticipating, preventing, identifying and solving problems as necessary
Part-time hours; schedule may include evenings, weekends, and holidays
Fast-paced kitchen environment requiring focus, organization, and teamwork

Nice To Haves

Currently enrolled in or recently graduated from a culinary or hospitality program preferred
Previous kitchen or food service experience is helpful but not required

Responsibilities

Basic vegetable prep – peeling, slicing, dicing, and portioning
Basic sauce prep – primarily stocks, salad dressings, sauces and vinaigrettes
Basic cooking of bulk prep items braised meats, soups, and sides
Minor butchering –processing whole poultry and fish
Baking & pastry preparation
General cleaning – to include equipment, floors, walls, coolers, and freezers
Dishwashing –all Luminary & Co. kitchen staff wash dishes
Ability to listen and understand specific instructions
Ability to cut and chop food as well as other tasks
Ability to work long hours standing over hot stoves and grills.
Ability to work as a team in a stressful, fast-paced environment
Follow all safety procedures to include knife safety
Restock clean dishes, flatware and all cooking equipment to the appropriate storage areas.
Maintain the kitchen work area in an orderly and clean condition.
Clean or prepare various food for cooking or serving to include peeling vegetables, portioning products, etc.
Follow proper hand washing procedures
Assist with plate up dinners during banquets
Stock supplies for the kitchen in specified locations and maintain area in order
Sweep, Scrub, mop floors. Wipe walls, coolers, freezers and equipment
Sort and remove trash and clean the garbage cans / whales daily
Maintain trash area and place in proper area for pickup
Assist with loading and unloading of food deliveries and supplies
Maintain a professional presentable uniform and personal grooming
Able to effectively communicate with the team on a daily basis
Maintain a sense of ownership for the hotel / restaurant
Follow Safe Staff sanitary compliance throughout every area working in the kitchen
Perform other duties as management requests to service our guests