Cook – Special Meals

Position Description

Cook – Special Meals

Job Category
Fulltime Regular

ExemptOvertimeEligible
Overtime Eligible

Benefits Eligible
Benefit Based

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Cook – Special Meals

Caltech is a world-renowned science and engineering institute that marshals some of the world's brightest minds and most innovative tools to address fundamental scientific questions. We thrive on finding and cultivating talented people who are passionate about what they do. Join us and be a part of the diverse Caltech community.

Job Summary

Looking for an exciting place to work? Caltech is a world-renowned science and engineering institute harboring some of the world's brightest minds. Our Caltech Dining Services Department (CDS) is in search of hiring and cultivating equally talented individuals who are positive, enthusiastic, and passionate about what they do. We are fast-paced, creative, hands-on, and round-the-clock. If you have a great team work ethic, positive attitude, and are indispensably flexible and quick to adapt to an always changing environment, join us and be a part of this leading edge and innovative community. Our mission is to provide great food, service, and experience for our students and community.

CDS operates four dining units (Browne Dining Hall, Red Door Marketplace, Broad Café, and Avery Kitchen) for a campus community of 2,000. We also serve over 850 students, 7 days a week, through our Board Program, and maintain a burgeoning Catering Department.

Under the direction of the Chef de Cuisine and Sous Chefs, this position requires minimal supervision with proficiency in all areas of culinary services and relies on experience and quick and reasonable judgement to plan and complete assigned tasks. Has experience cooking in a high-volume restaurant or food service facility. Prepares and cooks standard or specialty food items according to recipe using a variety of cooking methods and equipment. Can incorporate substitutions, make adjustments, and understand food portioning and yield. Able to efficiently prepare and fabricate a variety of food ingredients according to recipe standards with speed and good palate. Must be versatile with the ability to learn to work at any food service station. This position is responsible for producing special meals for our Special Meals Program. The Special Meals Program feeds students with special dietary accommodations (Caltech Accessibility Services for Students (CASS) approved and religious accommodations). This individual will create individual menus according to each student’s needs, per religious and/or doctor recommended guidance. This position requires prior experience in the preparation of meals catering to a variety of dietary restrictions. It also requires a strong understanding of food allergies and special dietary needs. When necessary, the Special Meals cook will meet with individual students to ensure their meal needs are being met, and they will make adjustments as needed. Primarily during summer, winter, and spring breaks, this position should expect location shifts according to business needs. They will be responsible for set-up, breakdown, maintaining a clean and organized workspace at all times. Performs work in accordance with Institute and regulatory agency safety standards and practice and performs all job duties as assigned. A positive, can-do attitude and teamwork-ethic are a must.

This is an Essential Reporting position. An employee designated as essential reporting has essential job skills that are needed for response and recovery and is expected to report to campus as soon as possible.

Essential Job Duties

• Responsible for producing customized meals for students with specialized dietary needs. Menu items are produced based on student nutrient needs, religious restrictions, and life-threatening food allergy concerns
• Works independently creating specialized meals for each student, including breakfast, lunch, dinner, and in-between meal snacks
• Utilizes the utmost care and detail in the preparation of all meals including detailed awareness of each student’s doctor guided restrictions, to ensure meals are safe to consume.
• Knowledge and understanding of food allergy awareness and experience in the production of such meals.
• Performs full array of cooking skills as required for main dishes and side orders.
• Must work quickly and efficiently within a fast-paced work environment.
• Prepares and cooks meats, fish, vegetables, gravies, sauces, cereal, soups, fruits, bakery products, and other foods according to recipes or member orders.
• Cooks from scratch or makes substitutions as requested.
• Cleans and sanitizes work areas and equipment according to protocol, maintaining clean and organized storage and work areas at all times; deep-cleans equipment and work areas per schedule.
• Ensures that all kitchen equipment is in proper working condition, informing the managing chefs in the event equipment is not in proper working order.
• Assists in maintaining timely service for meals and events.
• Responsible for correct food handling (cook/prep, storage, labeling and rotation) according to Health Department guidelines.
• Ensures food stations are ready for service and may need to provide coverage for other stations and/or dining locations as needed.
• Responsible for cleaning and maintaining all equipment, utensils, and prep area associated with the Special Meals production to ensure no cross contamination of ingredients
• Prepares approximately 18-21 meals per student, per week, with daily meals averaging 54 – 63 customized meals per day
• Responsible for maintaining all CDS standards and procedures.
• Cultivates a positive and productive workplace through communication, teamwork, and ownership, attending daily line-ups and department meetings.
• Greet and serves all guests in a professional, genuine, and friendly manner.
• Depending on shift, may be required to work some weekends, extended shifts, and overtime.
• May temporarily work a different shift due to unforeseen events or seasonal high volume event needs.
• Must be able to confront a challenge or adverse situation with calm, resolve, and an open, can-do attitude and positive mindset.
• Performs other related duties and responsibilities as required or assigned.

Basic Qualifications

• 3 years of experience cooking in a high-volume restaurant or food service facility.
• Proficient knife skills, ingredient knowledge, cooking skills.
• Able to work as a member of a team with the ability to take direction with a positive attitude.
• Flexibility, ownership, and initiative are a must.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs.
• Ability to stand for long periods at a time, move, bend, twist, lift, push, pull, squat, reach, and walk with ease, without injury, and with a sense of urgency and purpose.
• Selected candidate must maintain attendance and arrive on time for all shifts.
• Must possess a food handler’s certificate or ability to obtain one by the time of hire.
• Must have the ability to perform basic mathematics: addition, subtraction, multiplication, division and percentage conversion to decimals and count, as related to calculating or converting units of measure for determining proper amounts of food ingredients for large food production.

Preferred Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Knowledge of a variety of regional and international cuisines.
• 5+ years working in a fast-paced, team environment.

Required Documents

• Resume.

Hiring Range

$20.00 - $26.25 Per Hour

The salary of the finalist(s) selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, experience, education, specialty and training.

As one of the largest employers in Pasadena, CA, Caltech is committed to providing comprehensive benefits to eligible employees and their eligible dependents. Our benefits package includes competitive compensation, health, dental, and vision insurance, retirement savings plans, generous paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick time, parental leave, bereavement, etc.), tuition reimbursement, and more. Non-benefit eligible employees will have access to some benefits such as onsite counseling and sick time. Learn more about our benefits and staff perks.