Lead Cook

FT/PT:                       Full Time
 
Status:                        Non-Exempt
 
Reports To:               Director of Food Service

 
The Orchard School

Founded in 1922, Orchard is an independent, non-sectarian, Progressive school for 550 students in preschool through the 8th grade. Orchard is committed to advance each student’s academic success, self-confidence, open-mindedness, ethical character, leadership, and love of learning. Located in north Indianapolis on a 43-acre wooded campus with a state-of-the-art facility, Orchard promises academic excellence through a well-rounded education, engaging the natural curiosity of students in an active, child-centered, and experiential learning environment.  We seek, and strive to maintain, a diverse and inclusive school community, and are committed to the principles that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion. We value the skills, knowledge and experiences a diverse workforce brings to our school. 
 
The Position
 
The Lead Cook is a culinary professional who assists the Director of Food Service (DoFS) in managing kitchen operations and preparing food. The Lead Cook will oversee food preparation, train kitchen staff, and may assist with menu planning and inventory management. The Lead Cook is the second in command and often leads the team in the absence of the DoFS.
 
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
 
  • Cooks and otherwise prepares foods according to recipes.
  • Ensures all deadlines are met in food production based on orders.
  • Cleans work areas, equipment and utensils. Utilizes approved food recipes and production standards to ensure proper quality, serving temperatures and standard portion control.
  • Serves Orchard community in an efficient and friendly manner.
  • Resolves food service concerns.
  • Assures compliance with all sanitation, safety, and production requirements.
  • Assumes responsibility for kitchen in the absence of the Food Service Director.
  • Responsible for ensuring proper presentation, portion control, and maintenance of proper serving temperatures – follows HACCP standards.
  • Maintains sanitation and orderliness of all equipment, supplies and utensils within work area.
  • Keeps display equipment clean and free of debris during meal service.
  • Cleans equipment in a timely fashion.
  • Cleans workstation thoroughly before leaving the area for other assignments.
  • Demonstrates a complete understanding of daily menu items and explains same to the Orchard community accurately.
  • Consistently exhibits the ability to keep up with peak hours and does so calmly, accurately and efficiently.
 
Physical Demands
 
  • Standing, talking, listening, tasting, smelling, and vision
  • Frequent walking and reaching with hands and arms
  • Regular lifting up to 25 pounds; Occasional lifting of up to 50 pounds
 
Qualifications and Attributes
 
  • Associate’s Degree (A.A.) or equivalent from a two-year college or technical school; one year related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
  • Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, recipes, temperature logs, and safety rules.
  • Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to the Orchard community.
  • Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as recipe conversions and extensions, recipe yields, and percentages.
  • A passion for the mission and vision of The Orchard School
 
Benefits
 
The Orchard School values our employees and offers a total compensation package designed to attract and retain talented individuals who make our school successful.  Benefits include:
 
  • 11 paid personal days
  • 20 paid vacation days
  • 10 paid school break days
  • Health, vision and dental insurance
  • Retirement Savings Plan
  • Tuition reimbursement
  • Employer paid life insurance
  • Employer paid long- and short-term disability
  • Other benefits
Candidates should apply by sending a resume and cover letter to hr@orchard.org.  Please place “Lead Cook” in the email subject line.
 
Orchard values diversity and seeks talented students, faculty and staff from diverse backgrounds.
Orchard does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion or national origin in the administration of its admission, tuition assistance, or employment determination.
 
The Orchard School is a member of the National Association of Independent Schools and is accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the Central States.
 
For more information about The Orchard School, please visit: www.orchard.org.
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