Lead Cook

General Description :

This is a great opportunity in a busy kitchen with top-notch benefits; uniform provided, retirement plan, tuition remission for you and dependents, medical and dental, use of the University facilities as well as vacation, sick and holiday pay.

On average, the university has 14 paid holidays per year. We are always closed (with holiday pay) over the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays.

Be ready to work with a great team in a high-volume kitchen serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Dining and Culinary Services is independently operated and provides the nutritional foundation for the academic and co-curricular success of Pacific Lutheran University students.

The Lead Cook prepares a variety of foods for the main dining facility, The Commons, and leads a team of line cooks, prep cooks and college students with strong emphasis on proper cooking techniques, safety, sanitation, sustainability, and exemplary customer service.

This position reports to the Executive Chef. Essential Functions and Responsibilities :

• Prepare, season, and cook soups, meats, vegetables, pasta, pizza, sandwiches, ethnic dishes, desserts, and other food stuff for consumption in the university dining facility.
• Mentor, train, and supervise staff, student, and temporary workers with emphasis on cooking techniques, customer service, safety, and sanitation.
• Prepare scratch menu items. Assist in menu development and recipe creation.
• Read the menu to estimate food requirements and requisition food or procure it from storage.
• Monitor and adjust thermostat controls to regulate temperature of ovens, combi-ovens, fryers, boilers, grills, range top, induction burners, and steam kettles, to ensure food quality.
• Measures and mixes ingredients according to recipes, using a variety or kitchen utensils and equipment, such as blenders, mixers, grinders, slicers, and tenderizers.

Seasons food during mixing or cooking.

• Sautés, grills, bakes, and fries a la minute or batch cooked orders in a high energy, fast paced environment. Bakes, roasts, broils and steams meats, fish, vegetables, and other foods.
• Carves meat, portions food on serving plates, adds gravies, sauces, and garnishes to fill orders.
• Will wash, peel, cut and shred vegetables and fruits. May butcher chickens, fish, and shellfish.
• Proper storage, rotation, and labeling of product. Responsible for condition of kitchen / equipment.
• Follow proper cleaning, maintenance, and reporting procedures. Comply with all safety standards.
• Maintains correct department signage, pricing and answers to customer questions.
• Perform other related duties as assigned or requested by a manager or supervisor.
• Dining Services’ team members are essential university personnel. In the event of PLU declaring emergency status essential university personnel must contact supervisor to obtain schedule.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities :

• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to communicate effectively with other university leadership, team members, and customers.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Knowledge of and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Ability to explain cooking fundamentals to others using basic food science terminology.
• Ability to read, write and perform arithmetic or shop geometry to figure amounts of material needed, dimensions to be followed and cost of materials.
• Ability to multitask and utilize effective time management during production.
• Ability to measure, cut, or otherwise work on materials or objects with great precision.
• Ability to detect food and labor waste issues and develop a plan of corrective action.
• Ability to provide exemplary customer service constantly and consistently.
• Working knowledge of vegetarian and vegan cuisine, gluten-free and allergy diets.
• Operational knowledge of commercial kitchen equipment including, but not limited to, the proper use of slicers, knives, box cutters, a dumpster, and all related equipment.
• Must have fundamental computer knowledge in order to check email, check schedules, access pay forms, and access training modules.
• Ability to work flexible schedule including weekends, evenings, and holidays.

Required Qualifications :

• 1.5 years of professional kitchen experience. Graduation from a professional culinary training program may substitute for some experience.
• High school diploma or GED.
• High standard of personal hygiene.
• Valid WA State Food Handler’s Permit or the ability to obtain one before beginning employment.
• Valid driver’s license (Must have had a valid driver’s license for at least 2 years).
• Finalist candidates must satisfactorily complete pre-employment background checks, including driving abstract check, and pass PLU’s Driver’s Certification Training.

Preferred Qualifications :

• Working knowledge of computer applications.
• 2-3 years professional kitchen experience working a high volume line.

Work Conditions :

• Work in / around hot, dry, cold, wet, and / or humid conditions.
• Often work with / around standard kitchen / dishroom equipment requiring protective equipment.
• Summer schedules vary from the last week in May-August. Hours may be reduced to 24-30 hrs / wk or less during this time.

Employees are encouraged to utilize accrued vacation during this time.

Physical Requirements :

• Ability to stand and walk for up to 4 hours without a break.
• Ability to bend and stoop to grasp objects, climb ladders, lift loads up to 50 lbs. unassisted, and push / pull carts weighing up to 100 lbs. unassisted.
• Ability to visually examine products for quality and signage / labeling for accuracy.

Special Instructions to Applicants : Other Information : PLU is a small, private university where caring means more than kindness and consideration it means a bold commitment to expanding well-being, opportunity, and justice.

Because PLU is a community committed to the creation and advancement of knowledge through diversity and inclusion, the university actively recruits a diverse faculty, staff, and student body.

PLU is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from members of historically underrepresented and minoritized groups, women, veterans, persons with disabilities, and others who would bring broadly diverse perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds in educational, research or other work activities.

PLU offers an excellent benefits package including tuition remission for employees and their dependents, retirement plan, medical, dental, paid vacation and sick leave, major holidays off (including Christmas / New Year’s break), additional flexible time off, and many other great university benefits.

PLU is a qualifying employer under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program as a 501 (3) tax-exempt organization. Click here for detailed benefits information.

For general application questions or if you need accommodations at any point in the application and / or interview process, please contact the Human Resources Office at 253-535-7185 or humr@plu.edu .