Cook

Description

Company Overview

The vision of St. Vincent de Paul – Dayton District Council is to improve the lives of people in need in the Miami Valley.

Our Mission is to, with Christian purpose, accompany those in need one person at a time by focusing on shelter, food and clothing.

Every day we let our light shine!

Position Summary/Objective

The Cook promotes a culture of safety, hospitality, service, honor, and respect among our homeless guests, our staff, and volunteers, for the purpose of furthering the vision and mission of the St. Vincent de Paul Society.

The Cook is primarily responsible for the preparation of breakfast, lunch and dinner for shelter guests. Coordinates the food preparation and activities of volunteers assigned to work in the shelter kitchen. Responsible for ensuring that volunteers act in compliance with Department of Public Health guidelines for safe food handling and storage.

Essential functions

• Prepare breakfast, lunch and dinner for serving to shelter guests daily.
• Work with other cooks in preparation of weekly menu, integrating donated and pre-prepared foods, purchased supplemental foods, and leftover foods, and ensuring that meals are nutritionally sound.
• Assist in monitoring portion sizes in order to control food costs.
• Accommodate special dietary needs of shelter guests as needed/requested.
• Assist in monitoring inventory, storage and distribution of food and supplies. Closely monitor the receipt dates of donated foods in order to maximize the efficient and safe use of such foods within allowable time frames.
• Recommend food, kitchen supplies and equipment to be purchased.
• Maintain strict confidentiality and propriety in matters related to guests’ information.
• Assist in training volunteers on safe food preparation and presentation.
• Responsible for maintaining kitchen and for ensuring volunteers act in compliance with standards set by Montgomery County Division of Environmental Health, Department of Public Health’s Food Protection Program as applicable to food service providers, to include sanitation standards, safe food temperatures, and food handling and storage guidelines.
• Coordinate with other kitchen staff at the time of shift change, sharing all information regarding out-of-ordinary kitchen operations or special instructions.
• Responsible for the safe operation of all areas related to food preparation and storage.
• Responsible for ensuring operation of kitchen in compliance with all health safety standards and guidelines through use of good sanitation practices and tools such as food thermometers, etc.
• Consults with Director of Gateway Shelter Programs prior to making any decisions outside of regular job functions. 

Qualifications

Required education and experience

• High School diploma or equivalent
• Food Service Training
• 1-2 years Restaurant-related and/or food service experience
• Demonstrated ability to operate an efficient kitchen despite stressful time parameters.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain professional boundaries when working with guest
• Computer/Microsoft Office software
• Verbal/Written Communication skills          
• Interpersonal Skills                           
• Problem/Conflict Resolution
• Ability to be periodically exposed to disagreeable elements, such as unpleasant odors, dirt, uncomfortable temperatures, etc.     
• Must be able to constantly withstand long periods of standing and/or walking

Preferred education and experience

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in culinary arts or related field

Additional eligibility requirements

• Maintain a driver’s license with good driving record
• Act as an on-call contact outside regular working hours for co-workers with job-specific questions
• Accessibility via a pager or cell phone 
• Furnish a reliable, personal means of transportation in order to accomplish work objectives
• Work a nonstandard work week as needed, including weekend hours
• Work evening or night shift hours as needed
• Work overtime as requested 
• Provide coverage for other positions, shifts or functions as needed

Physical demands

• Must be able to lift and carry up to 20 pounds for short distances

Salary : $17