Culinary Specialist

Position Summary: The Culinary Specialist plays a vital role in ensuring the quality and safety of food preparation while adhering to the core values of The Common Market.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Upholds the organization’s core values and complies with the established Code of Conduct.
• Prepares meals following established recipes and utilizes personal judgment for optimal results.
• Maintains cleanliness and functionality of kitchen equipment, appliances, and workspaces.
• Monitors cooking temperatures to guarantee food safety and quality.
• Ensures ingredient freshness by regularly checking quality and managing inventory effectively.
• Completes daily inventory logs to track food usage.
• Adheres to Health Department Regulations and follows sanitation and safety protocols.
• Disposes of waste, compost, and recyclables in a timely manner.
• Addresses spills and maintains a clean and organized preparation and storage area.
• Operates kitchen equipment safely and practices proper knife-handling techniques.
• Maintains productivity throughout the shift, completing tasks in a timely manner.
• Follows all standard operating procedures, including opening and closing tasks.
• Records temperature logs and ensures all stored products are labeled and dated appropriately.
• Delivers attentive and friendly service to all customers, both internal and external.
• Performs additional duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• High School Diploma or equivalent education or experience is preferred.
• At least one (1) year of experience in a kitchen environment is required.
• Experience with natural foods is strongly preferred.
• Strong numerical skills for accurate measurement of ingredients and baking times.
• Ability to read and interpret recipes accurately.
• Knowledge of proper food handling practices.
• Practical cooking skills are essential.
• Willingness to collaborate effectively with team members.
• Ability to remain calm and adapt to unexpected challenges or stressful situations.
• Open to receiving constructive feedback.
• Creativity in developing new recipes or products is a plus.

Work Environment & Physical Requirements:

• Flexibility to work various shifts, including mornings, afternoons, evenings, and weekends.
• Must wear appropriate footwear, head coverings, and long pants.
• Ability to work in a range of temperatures (approximately 40°F – 95°F).
• Capability to stand for extended periods.
• Ability to bend, stoop, reach, kneel, twist, and climb as needed.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds without assistance.
• Reliable transportation is necessary.