Job Summary

The Cook is responsible for preparing, cooking, and serving fresh, nutritious, and high-quality meals in accordance with dietary requirements, sanitation standards, facility guidelines, and client preferences. The Cook values whole foods and enjoys creating meals that are both healthful and flavorful for Pathways’ 3H Youth Ranch residents and staff.

Essential Duties:

• Prepare and cook meals from scratch using fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins according to standardized recipes, menus, and special dietary needs.
• Ensure food is cooked and held at the proper temperature and handled according to local health codes and sanitation guidelines.
• Monitor portion control to avoid waste and ensure consistency.
• Maintain cleanliness and organization of kitchen, equipment, and work areas.
• Store food properly and label items with date and content in accordance with food safety and preparation guidelines and the local Health Department regulations.
• Prepare menus and package meals for nights, weekends, and outings.
• Places food supply orders and assist with receiving, inspecting, and storing food to maintain quality and reduce waste.
• Monitor and control inventory of fresh ingredients and alert supervisor to needs or shortages.
• Follow dietary restrictions including allergies, religious, and medical requirements.
• Work collaboratively with staff to ensure meal service runs smoothly and to accommodate specials diets and allergies, using fresh substitutions when needed.
• Adhere to infection control, safety, and sanitation standards at all times.
• Collaborate with the Program Administrator/Manager to develop meal plans and menus using ingredients that are nutritious and fresh. Incorporate seasonal and local produce whenever possible to enhance flavor and nutrition. Support the development of fresh meal options. All meals must meet or exceed minimum standards for youth in residential treatment.
• Identify equipment problems and report problems to facility maintenance for scheduling of repairs.

Supervisor:                            Program Administrator/Program Manager

Supervises:                           N/A

Work Environment:              Indoor kitchen work with some exposure to the outdoors.

Work Hours:                          As determined by the daily schedule and approved by the Program Administrator/Manager.

Classification:                       Non-Exempt.

Education & Experience

• Must be at least 21 years of age.
• Must have High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Food Handling Certification (if not certified, willing to be certified within 30 days of employment).
• Minimum three years of experience cooking in an institution, school, hospital, or similar setting with a focus on fresh food preparation.
• Previous experience in menu planning.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Knowledge of civil rights.
• Knowledge of meal patterns, portion sizes, meal count procedures, meal production documentation, and record keeping.
• Strong knowledge of basic nutrition and food safety procedures.
• Ability to read and follow recipes and diet orders accurately.
• Strong ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment.
• Basic understanding of computers, the Internet, and other software applications.
• Excellent time management and communication skills.
• Excellent teamwork and attention to detail to deliver high-quality meals made with fresh ingredients.

Additional Requirements

• Proof of valid Texas Driver's License (Type C) and at least three years of driving experience.
• Access to reliable transportation.
• Proof of valid/current auto insurance.
• Cleared motor vehicle driving record.
• Employment and personal references.
• Cleared criminal background check and signed statement regarding felony indictments/convictions.
• Cleared TB test results (current within 12 months prior to employment).
• Cleared pre-employment drug test.
• Working cellular telephone.

Physical Demands

With or without reasonable accommodation, the physical and mental requirements of this job may include the following: seeing, hearing, speaking, reasoning abilities for basic math and writing clearly.  Manual dexterity for cooking, prepping and use of kitchen equipment. Frequent reaching with hands and arms, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, frequent sitting, standing and walking, may be required for long periods of time and may involve climbing stairs, walking up inclines, and on uneven terrain. Additional physical requirements may include, frequent lifting and or moving up to 50 pounds. Ability to remain calm in stressful situations. Exposure to hot surfaces, sharp tools, and cleaning chemicals.