Lead Cook

Job Position: Lead Cook

Wage: $19 per hour

Hours: Monday to Friday, morning shift (some weekend availability needed).

Location: Westchester, IL

Job Summary

As one of our Food For Thought Lead Cooks, you will work assisting the Chef Manager with overseeing the chain of food preparation of all products in accordance to FFT standards or as specified by the Chef (Prep Lists: Wet pack, Dry Pack, Cold Garnish, Cold HDV).

You will complete all opening and closing tasks, complete prep lists in allotted time frame, while working efficiently and maintaining a clean orderly station.

Responsibilities

• Assigning daily work activities to kitchen staff and supervising the completion of tasks.

• Checking and controlling the proper storage of product and portion control.

• Ensuring all equipment in working areas is clean and in proper working condition.

• Visually inspecting, selecting, and using only food items of the highest quality in the preparation of all menu items.

• Assisting with producing accurate inventory.

• Labeling store properly, communicating to ask questions, and assisting with other lists as needed.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years’ experience in culinary leadership roles.

• Knife skills and working knowledge of the fundamentals of cooking, kitchen equipment operation, safety, and sanitation.

• Basic mathematical skills necessary to understand recipes, measurements, requisition amounts and portion sizes.

• Effective organizational skills to work in a fast-paced environment.

• Ability to read, write and understand the English language to review menus and prep lists.

• Must provide valid Food Handler or Food Service Manager Certificate.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ability to work in a team, as well as on individual tasks.

• Effective communication skills to collaborate with other team members.

• Creativity and adaptability to challenges.

Why We're the Leaders

• Excellent training
• Employee Referral bonuses
• Flexible scheduling
• Career advancement opportunities
• Competitive Pay
• Anniversary Milestone Incentives

Company Benefits & Perks

• Paid Time Off
• Health, Dental and Vision Insurance – Includes Spouse and Domestic Partner Coverage
  • Health Provider - Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • Dental Provider: Guardian
  • Vision Provider: VSP
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Life Insurance
• Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance (AD&D) & Critical Illness Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
  • Mental Health, Relationship Conflicts, Child and Eldercare, Substance Abuse, Grief and Loss
    • Assistance for you and household members
    • (3) In Person Sessions
    • Unlimited phone access

• Parental Leave – Equal benefits to Mothers and Fathers
• 401K Retirement Plan
• FFT University - Over 70 courses designed to enhance your skills in life and on the job to help your career growth
• Employee Meal Plan
• Employee Discounts (Pet Insurance, Entertainment, Travel, Company Discounts, and much more).

Company Values & Culture

• Collaboration & Open Communication
• Diverse, Inclusive, Safe, and Motivating
• Our Triple Bottom Line – People, Product and Planet
  

Grow with us - at Food For Thought, instruction, advice, and assistance are always readily available, which is why our average tenure is 5 years. The U.S. average is 4.1 years, while the Hospitality industry average is only 2 years

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. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to reach at or below the shoulder; lift and carry items up to 50 pounds for a moderate distance. The employee is required to stand and move during the length of shift; be able to bend and kneel through the shift. The employee is required to use their hands to handle tools, grasp, control objects, move, or assemble items. The employee is continuously exposed to extreme temperatures. Working with knives, mincers, and other dangerous tools or equipment.

EEO Statement

Food For Thought provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all applicants and employees, regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, and any other characteristic protected by applicable local, state, and federal laws and regulations.

E-Verify Participation

Food For Thought participates in E-Verify to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. If E-Verify cannot confirm your authorization, you will be given instructions and an opportunity to resolve the issue before any action is taken against you, including termination.