Senior Cook

JOB Summary:

The Senior Cook position helps lead TMM kitchen operations at our homeless shelter. You will play a pivotal role in overseeing the culinary team, optimizing the use of donated food resources, and ensuring the preparation of nearly 3,000 daily meals that are healthy, balanced, and served with compassion. Also, supervises Food Services staff in absence of Kitchen Manager.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Volunteer Coordination:

• Volunteer liaison, ensuring they are informed of their responsibilities, and that the kitchen is properly communicating with volunteers when other managers are not available.
• Provide guidance, training, and support to volunteers, fostering a collaborative and welcoming environment.
• Ensure volunteers are integrated into kitchen operations seamlessly and motivated to contribute effectively.

Kitchen Operations Oversight:

• Leads culinary team by consistently observing and providing feedback, guidance, and direction to staff
• Helps to train all staff and volunteers, ensuring standards are adhered to
• Responsible for food production according to recipes/directions
• Follows the menu provided by management
• Overseeing expectations and maintaining kitchen to DOH standards.
• Encourages and builds mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
• Serving as a role model to demonstrate appropriate behaviors.
• Provides support to the “Food Services Manager” on staffing levels to ensure that participant service, operational needs and financial objectives are met.
• Establishes and maintains open, collaborative relationships with employees and ensures employees do the same within the team.
• Performs duties in team members absence or determine appropriate replacement to fill gaps.
• Ensures all TMM policies are administered fairly and consistently.
• Monitor inventory, food storage, and equipment maintenance to ensure smooth day-to-day operations.

Food Resource Management:

• Develop strategies to effectively utilize donated food resources, minimizing waste and maximizing nutritional value.
• Assist in the Implement creative menu planning that incorporates available ingredients to provide diverse and nutritious meals.

Menu Planning and Nutritional Balance:

• Ensure meals meet the health requirements of shelter residents.

Quality Assurance:

• Maintain high standards of food quality, presentation, and taste, reflecting dignity and respect for shelter residents.
• Conduct regular taste tests and gather feedback to make necessary adjustments and improvements.
• Enforce sanitation, hygiene, and safety protocols to ensure a clean and safe kitchen environment.

Community Engagement:

• Act as a representative of The Midnight Mission, fostering positive relationships with shelter residents, staff, and external partners.
• Participate in community outreach and events to raise awareness about the shelter's mission and culinary initiatives.