Do you enjoy working in a fast-paced environment where no two days are the same? Do you take pride in preparing quality food and maintaining high standards in the kitchen? If you have a passion for food, enjoy working as part of a team, and thrive in a busy food-service environment, we would love to have you join us!

Our Cooks play an important role in the daily operation of our café. This position is responsible for preparing and cooking food according to established in house recipes, quality standards, and food safety procedures while helping ensure the kitchen is clean, organized, well-stocked, and operating efficiently.

The ideal candidate is dependable, team-oriented, and comfortable working in a fast-paced kitchen environment. You will prepare ingredients, cook and plate menu items, maintain proper food storage and sanitation, monitor kitchen supplies, and work closely with the café and management teams to ensure food is prepared accurately, consistently, and in a timely manner.

Our goal is simple: to provide great food, outstanding service, and a warm, welcoming environment for every guest.

 Responsibilities and Duties

1. Prepare and cook menu items according to established recipes, portion sizes, presentation standards, and quality expectations.
2. Prepare ingredients for daily service, including washing, cutting, portioning, and assembling food items.
3. Ensure food is prepared accurately and served in a timely manner while maintaining quality and consistency.
4. Follow proper food-handling procedures, including temperature control, safe cooking practices, cooling, labeling, dating, and food storage.
5. Maintain a clean, organized, and sanitary kitchen, including workstations, countertops, cooking equipment, utensils, refrigerators, and storage areas.
6. Properly clean and sanitize kitchen equipment, dishes, utensils, and food preparation surfaces throughout the shift.
7. Monitor food quality, freshness, and expiration dates to ensure all ingredients meet company standards.
8. Assist with receiving, inspecting, storing, and rotating food deliveries using proper inventory procedures.
9. Monitor ingredient and supply levels and communicate inventory needs, shortages, or waste to management.
10. Follow established recipes, portion controls, and preparation procedures to promote consistency and minimize food waste.
11. Work closely with café staff and management to coordinate orders, communicate preparation times, and ensure smooth daily operations.
12. Assist with opening and closing duties, including food preparation, stocking, cleaning, equipment shutdown, and securing kitchen areas as assigned.
13. Follow all applicable food safety, sanitation, workplace safety, and company policies.
14. Maintain a positive, professional attitude and appearance while contributing to a respectful and productive kitchen environment.
15. Perform any other duties as assigned by management.

  Competencies

1. Food Preparation and Cooking — Able to follow recipes, prepare ingredients, and cook food according to established standards.
2. Food Safety and Sanitation — Understands the importance of safe food handling, proper temperatures, sanitation, and food storage procedures.
3. Teamwork — Works effectively with kitchen staff, café employees, and management in a fast-paced environment.
4. Communication — Able to communicate clearly with coworkers and management regarding orders, preparation needs, and kitchen operations.
5. Time Management — Able to prioritize tasks, manage preparation times, and complete orders efficiently during busy service periods.
6. Attention to Detail — Follows recipes, portion sizes, presentation standards, and safety procedures accurately.
7. Dependability — Reliable, punctual, and able to follow through with assigned responsibilities.
8. Organization and Cleanliness — Maintains an orderly workstation, properly stores ingredients, and keeps kitchen areas clean and sanitary.
9. Adaptability — Able to adjust to changing priorities, varying workloads, and the needs of daily café operations.
10. Professionalism — Maintains a positive attitude, demonstrates respect for coworkers, and takes pride in the quality of work.

Reporting Relationship

This position reports to the Café Manager, Kitchen Manager, or designated supervisor.

Work Environment

This position works in a commercial kitchen and cafe setting and may be exposed to hazardous noise levels, chemicals, fumes, and machinery.

 Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job, including but not limited to:

1. Ability to stand and remain on your feet for the full duration of a scheduled shift.
2. Ability to bend, reach, twist, kneel, and move throughout the kitchen as needed to prepare food and complete daily cleaning duties.
3. Ability to lift, carry, and move items weighing up to 50 pounds, including food deliveries, ingredient containers, kitchen supplies, and equipment.
4. Ability to safely stock refrigerators, freezers, shelves, storage areas, and kitchen workstations.
5. Ability to perform repetitive tasks such as chopping, stirring, mixing, portioning, washing dishes, and cleaning kitchen equipment and surfaces.
6. Ability to work safely around hot cooking equipment, ovens, grills, sharp utensils, wet floors, and other typical kitchen hazards while following established safety procedures.

Position Type and Expected Hours of Work

This is a non-exempt position.

This position includes shift work which requires working mornings, evenings, weekends, and on scheduled company holidays.

Travel

No travel is expected for this position.

Education, Experience, and Eligibility Qualifications

1. Entry level position; service experience in the food industry and valid Food Handlers permit preferred

2. High School Diploma or equivalent

3. Ability to work evenings weekends, and holidays

4. Acceptable driving record

5. Ability to pass a background check

6. Zero tolerance drug free employer includes pre-employment and random screening

Pay Rate Starting at $16.00/hour

 Benefits

Full time employees are eligible for our comprehensive benefits package, which includes a matching 401k program, Paid Time Off (PTO), and Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage. We value your hard work and offer performance-based bonuses. 

AAP/EEO Statement

Freeman Holdings is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer/Protected Veteran/Disabled employer.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this position. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.