Temp Cook - Culinary Exp Required

Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN
On-site

Who this role is best for

Experienced culinary professionals with advanced cooking techniques and a commitment to teamwork will find this role in a prestigious university setting.

Best fit for

  • Candidates with 1.5+ years of culinary experience and a track record of executing complex recipes
    — “Minimum 1½ years’ experience in the food service industry as a cook is necessary”
  • Individuals who value collaboration and can delegate effectively to kitchen assistants
    — “This position will provide delegation to cook assistants in the kitchen.”
  • Professionals who prioritize food safety and maintain meticulous records
    — “Complete production sheets, which includes logs for waste, temperature and actual prepared product”

Things to consider

  • The role involves significant physical demands, including lifting up to 50 lbs.
    — “Ability to lift up to 50 lbs. and frequently lift, push, pull, or carry up to 30 lbs.”
  • Candidates must be prepared for extended periods of standing and repetitive motion.
    — “Ability to walk or stand for extended time periods, up to 6 hours”

How to stand out

  • Highlight your ability to lead and train kitchen assistants effectively.
    — “Provide leadership and culinary instruction to cook assistants per management direction”
  • Emphasize your experience with advanced culinary techniques and complex recipes.
    — “Cook and prepare food using complex, multi-ingredient recipes”
  • Showcase your adherence to food safety standards and quality control practices.
    — “Evaluates food quality and preparedness by using proper quality control measures”
  • Demonstrate your ability to communicate effectively with management and servers.
    — “Communicate with the management to maintain the level of food quality that is expected”
  • Include examples of your proactive problem-solving and willingness to accept feedback.
    — “Acceptance of Feedback – Takes constructive criticism with grace, and makes improvements without taking it personally or holding grudges”
Pace · Fast PacedCollaboration · HighAutonomy · MediumDecision Impact · Individual

Derived from job-description analysis by Serendipath's career intelligence engine.

What success looks like

  • prepare complex recipes
  • butcher meats
  • chop vegetables
  • prepare multi-ingredient sauces
Typical background
minimum 1½ years’ experience in the food service industry as a cook

Skills & requirements

Required

Culinary SkillsFood PreparationFood SafetyPortion ControlKitchen Equipment Operation

Preferred

Leadership In Kitchen

Stack & domain

CookingButcheringChopping VegetablesPreparing SaucesFood PreparationFood SafetyTemperature ControlProduction GuidelinesRecipesFood Service IndustryKitchen EquipmentLiftingTeamworkCommunicationProblem-solvingQuality ControlSafetyTrainingLeadershipInstructionIncident ResolutionData HandlingCode ReviewAutomationRelease ManagementMonitoringAlertingIncident ManagementOn-call RotationEducational ActivitiesExercisesSDLCToolchain RoutinesSecurity TestingControl ValidationTraceabilityAuditabilityResiliencySecurity ExpectationsServe Safe CertifiedFood ServiceCampus Dining

About the role

Original posting from Vanderbilt University

Position Summary:

The temp Cook is key member of the Campus Dining Team within the Division of Administration at Vanderbilt University.  The temp Cook is responsible for supporting the culinary leadership and senior cooks in a variety of functions and executing complex recipes.  This position is also responsible for butchering meats, chopping vegetables using advanced cuts, preparing multi-ingredient sauces and completing other advanced level culinary tasks.   This position will provide delegation to cook assistants in the kitchen. 

About the Campus Dining Department:

Vanderbilt Campus Dining takes pride in the culinary creations served from our kitchens. Our Dining program is highly decorated, the winner of many prestigious awards in the food service industry, including Best On-Site Food Service Operation in the Nation, Best Food Service Operator, the prestigious Ivy Award, and many more. We have main dining centers, restaurants and cafes, convenience stores, and we employ over 300 employees.

Key Functions and Expected Performance:

Provide leadership and culinary instruction to cook assistants per managements directionAssist with training servers on use of correct portions when cutting, preparing, and serving items Notify day and night shifts regarding of menu items that require long cooking times to ensure unit is prepared for upcoming meals Communicate with the management to maintain the level of food quality that is expected Cook and prepare food using complex, multi-ingredient recipes 

Cuts, trims, bones and carves meats and poultry, chops vegetables using advanced cuts, prepares multi-ingredient sauces and completes other advanced level culinary tasksCook and prepare food according to production guidelines and recipes using various methods of food preparation, cooking times, and portion sizes to ensure food is prepared in prescribed manner

Provide information to unit leadership when issues arise that could affect the service before each meal period Responsible for using correct portions when cutting, preparing, and serving items

Evaluates food quality and preparedness by using proper quality control measures 

Cover, date and correctly store all food items as per safe food-handling procedures

Complete production sheets, which includes logs for waste, temperature and actual prepared product 

Identify production needs based on recipes and par levels 

Ensure food is stored at the correct temperature for the prescribed length of time while following all food safety standards and complete daily temperature logs

Set up and break down work stations

Clean and sanitizes work areas, equipment and utensils to ensure a clean and sanitary work station

Supervisory Relationships:

This position does not have supervisory; this position reports administratively and functionally to the unit’s management team and chef.

Qualifications:

High School education or equivalent preferred

Serve Safe Certified preferred

Excellent customer service 

Great interpersonal skills and the ability to work in a team environment 

Minimum 1½ years’ experience in the food service industry as a cook is necessary 

More than 3 years’ experience in the food service industry as a cook preferredMust be able to understand and follow directions 

Ability to read documents Possess knowledge and skill in a variety of cooking techniques Ability to cook complex recipes Must be able to safely operate all kitchen equipment

Ability to lift up to 50 lbs. and frequently lift, push, pull, or carry up to 30 lbs.

Ability to walk or stand for extended time periods, up to 6 hours

Involves repetitive motion

Requires frequent lifting/transporting hot food items

Ability to work in all unit and kitchen areas while interacting with heated equipment, steam, chemicals for cleaning, etc. 

Key Characteristics of a Successful Team Member in this Work Unit:

Acceptance of Feedback – Takes constructive criticism with grace, and makes improvements without taking it personally or holding grudges; when wrong, owns it – freely admits mistakes Believes – Believes in the work being done and in the importance of the organization’s mission

Raises the Bar – Expects and delivers excellence; is a creative problem solver; is proactive; welcomes input on making things better -- places a high value on learning and getting betterTeamwork – Genuinely values teamwork and co-workers; make them feel valuable and important by acknowledging what they do well. Doesn’t expect from others effort that one is unwilling to do themselves.  Finds ways to acknowledge other’s strong suits.

Assumes the Best – Assumes that others are working as hard as you are on things that are as important as what you are working on; just because you don’t know what someone does, it doesn’t mean they’re not doing anything

At Vanderbilt University , our work - regardless of title or role - is in service to an important and noble mission in which every member of our community serves in advancing knowledge and transforming lives on a daily basis. Located in Nashville, Tennessee, on a 330+ acre campus and arboretum dating back to 1873, Vanderbilt is proud to have been named as one of “America’s Best Large Employers” as well as a top employer in Tennessee and the Nashville metropolitan area by Forbes for several years running. We welcome those who are interested in learning and growing professionally with an employer that strives to create, foster and sustain opportunities as an employer of choice.

We understand you have a choice when choosing where to work and pursue a career. We understand you are unique and have a story. We want to hear it. We encourage you to apply today so that you might become a part of our story.

Vanderbilt University is an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Source: Vanderbilt University careers

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