Prep Cook

Junior Chefs Kitchen Overview

Junior Chefs Kitchen (“JCK”) offers children’s cooking and nutrition classes located at 2448 N Lincoln Ave in Lincoln Park, Chicago serving children ages 2-18 at our studio and in nearby schools. Our mission is to increase access to the essential health information of food and nutrition by empowering youth with cooking skills and healthful eating resources that are good for people, the planet and our community.

Junior Chefs Kitchen is looking for driven, enthusiastic, friendly, professional and communicative individuals who want to share their passion for cooking, nutrition and food with children and parents. As a team member, you will be championing the guest experience, allowing your knowledge, experience and superb customer service to shine. You must have a positive demeanor with a hustling can-do attitude and well-rounded knowledge about our brand and offerings. 

Essential Job Functions and Responsibilities 

• Accurately and skillfully prepare food items according to the weekly prep schedule, guidelines and standardized recipes
• Read and follow recipes precisely and carefully follow the daily kitchen prep list
• Demonstrate proficient knife skills
• Prepare cooking ingredients by washing and chopping vegetables and cutting meat; and measuring ingredients and seasonings to be used in cooking
• Assist in recipe development and testing
• Maintain par inventory levels for all refrigerated, frozen, and pantry items, and assist with weekly shopping lists 
• Stores, receives, stocks, dates, rotates, and checks temperature of product throughout work day
• Keep pantry, coolers and freezers clean and ensures that all perishables are labeled, dated and stored properly so they can be organized and easily
• Understand and follows proper food handling procedures such as wrapping, labeling, dating, stocking, storing, rotating and checking temperature of products
• Keeps food waste to a minimum by using food storage and food recycling techniques
• Assist with specialty in-house and event items
• Maintain a clean and orderly kitchen by washing dishes, sanitizing surfaces, and taking out trash to leave the station clean and presentable   
• Maintain a well-managed station and pantry 
• Comply with nutrition and sanitation guidelines
• Perform other kitchen duties as assigned

Other Considerations 

• Passion for high-quality food, beverage and nutrition education 
• High regard for food safety and quality standards
• Excellent knowledge and confidence when it comes to allergen awareness, handling protocols, procedures, and substitutions, and Junior Chefs Kitchen’s allergen protocols
• Punctual & reliable means of transportation
• Complete required Junior Chefs Kitchen training and certification
• Completion of Certified Allergen Awareness Training
• Ability to frequently lift and move up to 25 pounds, and occasionally moving/lifting items up to 50 pounds
• Ability to perform daily tasks largely while standing (at times standing or walking for an entire shift), and often while kneeling, squatting, crawling, and bending over
• Ability to move safely through all areas of the studio which may include uneven or slick work surfaces
• Follows all policies and procedures as well as the conditions of employment including those outlined in the Employee Handbook
• Strategic thinker, thrives on problem solving and making adjustments along the way
• Positive team member, with a can-do attitude
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team
• Ability to multitask while working on multiple projects in a busy environment
• Comfortable with evolving responsibilities
• Willingness to help build out functions and test processes
• Outgoing and personable when interacting with guest, families, and students
• Get along well with fellow employees and management 
• Comfortable working a variety of hours, days, and shifts (including weekends)

Qualifications

• Possession of a Food Handler’s Certificate
• Experience in kitchen preparation would be beneficial, preferably with at least 6 months experience in a similar capacity
• Associate’s Degree from an accredited Culinary School preferred 

Rate: $19-20 / Hourly Rate

Let’s Talk About The Perks

• Merit Increases & Annual Bonus potential
• Growth & Advancement Opportunities
• 20% Employee Discount on All retail items
• Complementary Coffee & Tea, Junior Chefs Kitchen Swag, Fun Product Sampling, and Giveaways
• Casual Dress Code (jeans & tshirts welcome!)
• Fun, Friendly, and Collaborative Work Environment
• Closed for the following Federal Holidays: New Year’s Day, Easter, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, additionally we close between Christmas & New Years
• Quarterly team wellness activities and separate volunteer opportunities

Junior Chefs Kitchen is an Equal Opportunity Employer and provides equal opportunities for everyone that works for us and everyone that applies to join our team, without regard to sex or gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, any service, past, present, or future, in the uniformed services of the United States (military or veteran status), or any other consideration protected by federal, state, or local law.

Junior Chefs Kitchen is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. It is important to us to ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application, interview process, or to perform essential job functions, please contact us.