Lead Cook

The Bowery Mission is a Christian, faith-based organization committed since the 1870s to serving people experiencing homelessness, hunger, and poverty. The Bowery Mission meets essential needs and creates transformative community with men, women, children, and families in New York so that we can together overcome homelessness and poverty and flourish. Our Bowery Campus has served as a beacon of compassionate care and life transformation in New York City.

As a key member of the West Harlem Campus Make Progress (MP) team, the Lead Cook oversees daily food service operations and “loving people through food.” The Lead Cook utilizes their skillset to support the team in creating a trauma-informed residential community that (1) fosters positive and growing relationships with God and others and (2) equips clients to achieve independent living goals. Plans, conducts, and directs food preparation and storage in accordance with federal, state, and city food safety standards. Develops weekly menus. Ensures ingredients and supplies are in place to execute on menu plans. Ensures safety, sanitation, and storage standards. Orients and directs staff and volunteers supporting food preparation. Coaches' clients engaged in Work Therapy assignments that contribute to food services. Leads or assists food services for special events at West Harlem Campus and occasionally, at other locations.

Specific responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• In accordance with health and safety standards (local, state, federal), plan, prepare, cook, and serve high-quality meals that support client nutrition and a vibrant community.
  
• Coach clients engaged in Work Therapy assignments contributing to food preparation and inventory, kitchen and related-area cleanliness. Help clients develop skills related to food services: independent living skills and when applicable, job skills.
• Ensure food safety, storage, and production activity complies with federal, state, and local codes (safety, health, etc.) and TBM standards. 
• Develop weekly menus, making optimal use of donated items. 
• Promptly identify and address multiple needs. Anticipate/adjust plans based on various daily factors (health and safety, staff and volunteer availability, etc.). 
• Interact with direct supervisor (primarily) and indirect supervisor about operational concerns and solutions. Engage in onsite and offsite meetings and trainings, including weekly West Harlem Campus team meetings and biweekly meetings with indirect supervisor. 
• Complete and submit food distribution list to Food Services leadership to ensure proper food and supplies inventory.  As needed, submit requests for food and supply purchases to supervisor. Track, receive, organize, and store incoming items, including food donations. Help unload deliveries as needed.
• Lead or assist food services for special events at West Harlem Campus, including orders, preparation, and cleanup. Occasionally, assist Food Services team at other locations.
• Keep an accurate record of food and related supplies inventory.  Ensure consistent and accurate reporting of meals served. Follow verbal and written reporting protocols for incidents. Submit incident reports to supervisor and appropriate team members.

Schedule: Monday - Friday: 10:00am-6:30pm

Requires availability during the day, night, weekends, and holiday work hours as assigned.

Requirements:

• Embrace's the organization’s Statement of Faith.
• 4+ years relevant experience and training in a food services setting, including 1-2 years of experience as a Lead Cook, Sous Chef, or Chef De Cuisine.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent education and experience.
• NYC Food Protection Certificate or ability to obtain certification within 90 days.
• Duties include reaching, bending/stooping, pushing/pulling and the ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
• Proficient in office technology and administration. 
• Confidentiality standards and professional boundaries.

Preferred: 

• Non-violent Crisis Intervention.
• Mental Health First Aid.
• First Aid/CPR.
• F-80 and/or F-02 fire safety certification.
• Naloxone Administration.
• Trauma-informed care. Conflict resolution.

Salary: $26.44 per hour

Due to the number of applications, we receive, we are only able to respond to qualified candidates who are selected for interviews. We sincerely appreciate all candidates for their interest in The Bowery Mission.