Lead Cook – Food and Nutrition Services

We are recruiting for a mission-driven Lead Cook - Food and Nutrition Services to join our team!

We're with you for life’s journey. At Denver Health, purpose isn’t just something we believe in—it’s something we live every day, for life’s journey.

Our Values

Respect | Belonging | Accountability | Transparency

Department

Food Services

Job Summary

Under general supervision, assists in supervising routine duties related to retail and patient meal production. Prepares and cooks food for hospital patients, hospital employees, and visitors using advanced and classical cooking techniques. Prepares food according to recipes, menus, special dietary or nutritional restrictions, or number of portions to be served. Compiles and maintains records of food use and expenditures. Follows and implements HACCP guidelines. Complies with regulatory agency requirements.

Essential Functions:

• Organizes, directs, and coordinates functions and activities in the food service department to ensure regulatory compliance. Alerts supervisor to problems and needs concerning equipment, supplies and staffing daily. (20%)
• Plans, schedules, coordinates, and assigns work and establishes goals and priorities for Cook I, Cook II and Food Service Workers. Directs activities of one or more workers who assist in preparing and serving meals. Maintains and establishes departmental policies, procedures, objectives, quality assurance programs and health and safety standards. (20%)
• Ensures standards of quality, hygiene, and efficiency are met throughout the food service operation. Ensures that necessary sanitary levels are maintained throughout the food preparation process, and that all foods prepared meet existing standards for quality, freshness, taste, and appearance. (20%)
• Guide and assist in the training of Cook I, Cook II and Food Service Workers. (10%)
• Monitors the preparation of food and produces small to large batch goods using advanced and full range of classical and contemporary cooking, plating and garnishing techniques. (10%)
• Monitors the preparation of food and operates a variety of kitchen utensils and equipment to measure, blend, chop, slice and mix ingredients, washing, peeling, cutting and shredding fruits and vegetables, desserts and other foodstuffs for consumption. Cooks according to menus, special dietary or nutritional restrictions, or number or portions to be served. (10%)
• Resolves problems encountered by employees during the course of the assignment. (5%)
• Responsible for requesting, stocking, organizing, and rotating products per HACCP guidelines. (5%)

Education:

• No High School Diploma and/or No GED Required

Work Experience:

• Three years’ experience performing food preparation and/or service required.
• Formal culinary training preferred

Licenses:

• ServSafe Food Handle - ANSI - American National Standards Institute required

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of supervisory principles and practices sufficient to be able to establish priorities, assign and review work and resolve problems as required.
• Knowledge of food safety techniques and HACCP guidelines.
• Knowledge of safety hazards and necessary safety precautions sufficient to be able to establish a safe work environment.
• Knowledge of methods and procedures specific to maintaining sanitary food preparation conditions sufficient to be able to direct, coordinate and participate in the preparation of food.
• Knowledge of techniques and equipment for preparing food for consumption, including storage/handling techniques.
• Knowledge of addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and fractions sufficient to be able to perform mathematical calculations.
• Skill in prioritizing and coordinating activities to ensure effective and efficient completion of the work assignments.
• Skill in analyzing and resolving problems related to the work assignment.
• Skill in communicating and establishing effective working relationships with other employees, organizations and the public.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite

Shift

Varies (United States of America)

Work Type

Regular

Salary

$21.00 - $28.25 / hr

Benefits

At Denver Health, we take care of the people who take care of our community. Our benefits are built to support your life, your family, and your future — with generous paid time off, fully paid parental leave, exceptional retirement contributions, comprehensive health coverage, and nationally recognized well-being programs. We invest in your growth through tuition assistance, career advancement pathways, and professional development — while also offering meaningful financial advantages through loan forgiveness eligibility and employer contributions. When you join Denver Health, you’re joining a mission-driven organization that invests in you.

Here is a small list of our benefit programs:

• Paid time off starting at 28 days per year, inclusive of vacation, personal/sick, and 7 Holidays
• 100% paid parental leave up to 6 weeks
• Immediate eligibility for retirement plans with employer contribution up to 9.5%
• Generous medical, dental, vision plans in addition to employer paid disability and life insurance.
• Comprehensive well-being programs including on-site employee fitness center located on Denver Health main campus and nationally recognized RESTORE Center
• Free RTD EcoPass (public transportation)
• Childcare discount programs & exclusive perks on large brands, travel, and more
• Tuition reimbursement & assistance
• Education, coaching, and professional development opportunities through the Workforce Development Center (WFDC) that support internal career growth and advancement pathways
• Professional clinical advancement program & shared governance
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) eligible employer+ free student loan coaching and assistance navigating the PSLF program
• National Health Service Corps (NHCS) and Colorado Health Service Corps (CHSC) eligible employer

About Denver Health

Denver Health is an integrated, high-quality academic healthcare system considered a model for the nation that includes a Level I Trauma Center, a 555-bed acute care medical center, Denver’s 911 emergency medical response system, 10 family health centers, 19 school-based health centers, Rocky Mountain Poison & Drug Safety, the Public Health Institute at Denver Health, Denver Health Medical Plan and Denver Health Foundation.

As Colorado’s primary, and essential, safety-net healthcare system, Denver Health is a mission-driven organization that has provided millions in uncompensated care for the uninsured each year.

Located near downtown Denver, Denver Health is just minutes away from many of the cultural and recreational activities Denver has to offer.

Denver Health is an equal opportunity employer (EOE). We value the unique ideas, talents and contributions reflective of the needs of our community. All job applicants for safety-sensitive positions must pass a pre-employment drug test, once a conditional offer of employment has been made. Applicants will be considered until the position is filled.