Cook Assistant

Lutheran Services Florida (LSF) envisions a world where children are safe, families are strong, and communities are vibrant.

LSF is seeking a talented Cook Assistant who wants to make an impact in the lives of others.

The Cook Assistant works to support kitchen operations and functions as part of a team, assisting in ordering, preparing, serving and documentation of meals and snacks. This position adheres to health and food safety codes and cleanliness of the kitchen and food service and storage areas. May assist in preparing foods for infants, toddlers, and/or preschool children following USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) standards.

• Assist in preparing ingredients and cooking meals according to standardized recipes and menu standards following menus approved by the Registered Dietitian and aid in any food related activities as directed, ensuring proper portioning and presentation.
• Set up and organize workstations, ensuring all necessary tools and ingredients are available and ready for use.
• Collaborate with other staff to ensure timely preparation and delivery of meals.
• Help maintain high standards of food quality, taste, and presentation, ensuring consistency. Monitor and maintain portion control and waste reduction.
• Assist in managing the inventory of food, supplies, and equipment to facilitate smooth operations and report any shortages to the supervisor.
• Assist with receiving and storing deliveries of food items, checking for quality and accuracy.
• Assist in addressing special dietary requests and accommodate food allergies or restrictions as required.
• Collaborate with staff to create food-related experiences that support family-style meal service.
• Maintain cleanliness and organization of the kitchen and storage areas, adhering to proper sanitation procedures of food and equipment.
• Maintain safe usage of all kitchen equipment in accordance with manufacturer's guidelines. Report safety or health concerns, including malfunctioning kitchen equipment, to the supervisor promptly.
• Maintain compliance with all hygiene and sanitation standards, including proper food handling, storage, and cleaning procedures set by local, state, and federal regulations.
• Assist in documenting food purchases, preparation, and serving in accordance with USDA CACFP guidelines. Organize and submit necessary records as required.
• In the absence of the Cook due to PTO or sick leave, the Cook Assistant will assume the responsibilities of the Cook to ensure uninterrupted meal service and kitchen operations.
• Attend all required staff meetings and trainings as directed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Note:

The duties above are illustrative and not exhaustive. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position. Depending on the assigned area of responsibility, incumbents in the position may perform some or all the activities described above.

• Ability to stand for extended periods of time, up to 6–8 hours per shift.
• Frequent walking, bending, stooping, kneeling, and reaching in a kitchen environment.
• Ability to lift, carry, push, or pull items weighing up to 50 pounds, including bulk food items and kitchen equipment.
• Manual dexterity to handle kitchen tools and equipment safely and efficiently.
• Ability to work in environments with fluctuating temperatures (e.g., hot kitchens, walk‑in freezers).
• Must have the stamina to perform repetitive tasks such as chopping, stirring, lifting, and cleaning throughout the workday.
• Adequate vision and hearing to safely work around hot surfaces, sharp tools, and noisy kitchen equipment.
• Must be able to respond…