Title: Culinary Assistant
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Reports To: Senior Culinary Director
Department: Culinary
Location: Waukegan, IL

Job Summary
The Innovation Center Culinary Assistant is responsible for always keeping Woodland Gourmet’s state-of-the-art Innovation Center customer-ready. This position is a key member of the Culinary team and will help create the clean, organized, professional and welcoming environment our customers and guests expect.

This is more than a cleaning position. The Culinary Assistant will take ownership of the day-to-day condition of the Center, support chefs during preparation and customer presentations, maintain product and supply par levels, and assist with internal blend and product testing. The right candidate will take genuine pride in the space, notice what needs attention before being asked, and understand that consistent execution behind the scenes has a major impact on how Woodland Gourmet is viewed.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Maintain the entire Innovation Center in a consistently clean, orderly, professional and customer-ready condition. Including kitchens, demonstration and presentation areas, storage spaces, dish areas, equipment and supporting workspaces.
Follow all company sanitation, food safety, personal hygiene, chemical handling and with applicable requirements.
Wash, sanitize, safety procedures; maintain accurate cleaning and sanitation practices in accordance dry, inspect and properly store cookware, utensils, smallwares, serviceware, presentation pieces and equipment.
Complete daily, weekly and scheduled deep-cleaning assignments, including floors, walls, work surfaces, ovens, ranges, hoods, vents, dish equipment, refrigeration, storage areas and other equipment as assigned.
Inspect the Center throughout the workday and promptly address spills, clutter, depleted supplies, improperly stored items or any condition that could affect safety, efficiency or the guest experience.
Restock ingredients, finished products, disposables, chemicals, linens, smallwares and other supplies; maintain established par levels and communicate shortages before they affect operations.
Receive, rotate, label, date and organize products and supplies using proper food-safety and inventory practices, including FIFO where applicable.
Keep ingredient, product, equipment and storage areas clearly identified and consistently organized so the Culinary team can work efficiently.
Monitor dish-machine operation, wash and rinse temperatures, chemical levels and general equipment condition; report concerns promptly and assist with routine deliming and care as directed.
Remove waste, recycling and food debris safely and promptly, and maintain waste-handling areas to a high standard.

Culinary & Customer Visit Support

Support Culinary team food preparation, mise en place, ingredient gathering, weighing, scaling and basic production tasks under chef direction.
Assist with in-house blend evaluations, product testing, sample preparation and scaling of ingredients while following written instructions and maintaining accuracy.
Help prepare the Center for customer visits, presentations, tastings, tours and special events, including room setup, staging, service support, replenishment and timely breakdown.
Remain attentive and professional during guest visits, respond quickly to team needs and help ensure service is smooth, quiet and unobtrusive.
Reset kitchens and presentation areas immediately following meetings and events so the Center is ready for the next use.
Assist chefs and other team members with reasonable operational needs that support the success of the Culinary team and Innovation Center.

Qualifications/Requirements

English and/or bilingual communication skills preferred
Able to communicate clearly and respectfully with chefs, coworkers, leaders, customers and guests.
Able to work efficiently in a fast-paced environment without sacrificing cleanliness, accuracy or professionalism.
Flexible schedule and willingness to work occasional early mornings, evenings or extended days based on customer visits, presentations and special events.
Prior experience in foodservice, culinary operations, sanitation, dishwashing, production, hospitality or a related environment preferred.
Current Woodland Gourmet experience and familiarity with our ingredients, products, standards and culture strongly preferred.

Skills

Exceptional organization, cleanliness and attention to detail; able to maintain high standards consistently, not only when directed.
Positive attitude, strong work ethic, and genuine willingness to learn, accept coaching and follow directions.
Dependable, punctual and able to work independently while remaining responsive to changing team priorities.
Work calmly, quickly and quietly when customer meetings, tastings or presentations are in progress.

Physical Demands and Work Environment
The physical requirements described here represent those that an employee must meet to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be provided to help individuals with disabilities perform these vital functions. The job typically requires standing and walking for extended periods of time, perform repetitive hand-on tasks, frequently bending, reaching stretching, pushing, pulling, carrying and moving throughout the kitchen, storage and presentation areas. Ability to lift and carry up to 40 pounds; heavier items require team lifting or appropriate equipment. Working around heat, steam, moisture, cleaning chemicals, sharp tools and commercial kitchen equipment while using required PPE and safe work practices. cold temperatures, wet environments, and food processing equipment. Ability to wear required PPE, including hair nets, gloves, and protective footwear, etc

This document in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position.

Woodland Gourmet hires exceptional people to perform a wide variety of important functions that contribute to the success of our organization. We offer a competitive compensation package with benefits. The estimated pay rate for role is $18 – 22/hour. This position is eligible for an annual bonus (based on the incentive program terms and conditions). Based on your qualifications, previous experience, and transferable skills, the company will determine, at its discretion, the hourly rate offered and will reflect the market conditions and cost of living for your geographic location.

Our benefits program is designed to support our team in leading healthy, productive, and fulfilling lives. We deeply value the contributions of our team members and are committed to offering a competitive total compensation package. Additionally, we offer medical, prescription drug plans, dental, life insurance, short-term and long-term disability, vision insurance, flexible spending account, health savings account, tuition reimbursement, employee assistance program, voluntary benefits (hospital, critical illness, personal accident, legal & identify theft), 401k with company match, paid family leave, paid holidays and paid time off.

Woodland Gourmet is a participant in the federal E-Verify program. As part of the hiring process, we will verify the information provided on your Form I-9 to confirm your eligibility to work in the United States. E-Verify is an Internet-based system that compares information from your Form I-9 to government records to confirm employment eligibility. For more information on E-Verify and your rights, please visit the E-Verify website

Woodland Gourmet assures equal employment opportunity in all its hiring and employment policies and practices. This includes all aspects of employment, such as recruiting, hiring, promotions, transfers, demotions, layoffs or terminations, compensation, benefits, training, company-sponsored education, social and recreational programs or events, and all other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment. These policies and practices are administered without regard to “legally protected categories” such as: race, color, religion, national origin, age, gender, disability, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation or sexual orientation, pregnancy status or medical conditions related to childbirth, and/or any other factor protected by law

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