The Cook is responsible for preparing meals that are nutritionally balanced and appealing. The Cook will also work in conjunction with the Food Service Manager to develop and implement systems that will assist in the efficient operation of the food service department and ensure compliance with sanitation regulations. Shelter Residents are traumatized both by the intimate partner violence they experienced, and the sudden experience of homelessness. Families may also have unrelated trauma experiences from their lives. The Cook must be comfortable engaging traumatized people in a sensitive manner and must be comfortable working in a Voluntary Services program model.
Primary Responsibilities:
•Prepares assigned meals. Makes good use of donated commodities in effort to cut agency cost.
•Serves meals, ensuring proper food handling procedures.
•Creates a welcoming environment for traumatized families and their children. Interacts in a friendly, helpful manner with residents.
•Informs Food Service Manager of food and related supply needs to ensure sufficient inventory for daily and weekly consumption.
•Assists in the development of menus that ensure meals are nutritionally balanced and meet MSDE grant requirements.
•Follows routines and schedules that ensure kitchen meet Health department regulations and agency standards of proper sanitation.
•Implements system developed by Food Service Manager to ensure prepared frozen meals and other commodities are available for hotel program participants and for use in the event of an emergency.
•Rotates food inventory as necessary to ensure freshness and quality.
•Responds to request for food commodities for clients who do not reside in shelter as well as request from staff for food for volunteers and meetings.
•Prepares late plates and bag lunches as necessary.
•Washes pots, pans, and other cookware used in the preparation of meals.
•Demonstrates positive conflict management and conflict resolution behavior.
•Monitor and maintain food storage area in a clean and organized fashion, consistent with Health Department regulations and agency standards.
•Stocks shelter pantry with donated items.