Houston Methodist
Senior Cook – Full Time/Days
At Houston Methodist (HM), the Sr Cook position is responsible for the preparation and cooking of entrees, side dishes, and other specialty products using the recipe collection provided. In addition to performing the duties of a Cook, this role prepares specialty dishes for catered events, including physician dinners, employee recognition ceremonies, and other high‑profile events. The Sr Cook ensures adequate production to support the needs of patients, the café, catering functions, and the doctor's lounge. Responsibilities include adhering to the HM Food and Nutrition Services Standards of Appearance, complying with relevant local Food Ordinances, reviewing and maintaining production records and cooling charts according to Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) guidelines, and assisting in other food and nutrition service areas as needed.
People Essential Functions
Interact positively and professionally with patients, family, and staff, communicating clearly to promote work efforts and resolve problems.
Notify management of menu changes due to spoilage, shortages, or other unforeseen events.
Contribute to improvement of department employee engagement and peer‑to‑peer accountability.
Service Essential Functions
Cook food products for patients, the café, catering functions, and the doctor's lounge while maintaining high quality, proper temperatures, and garnishing plates.
Coordinate with production and food service coordinators to ensure scheduled meal preparation and delivery.
Assist in ordering and receiving food deliveries and transport food carts for meal service throughout hospital corridors and elevators.
Participate in daily production meetings, prioritizing patient satisfaction and customer service standards.
Quality/Safety Essential Functions
Follow HACCP program procedures: proper storage, preventing cross contamination, thawing, cooking, cooling, reheating temperatures, wrapping, labeling and date marking, documentation of food temperatures and freezer temperatures, and corrective actions.
Prepare food in accordance with standardized recipes, menus, safe food handling, and dietary restrictions, maintaining proper storage and sanitation in refrigerators and freezers.
Inspect all food for quality, freshness, and appearance, discarding expired items.
Maintain sanitation in the work area to meet federal, state, and local regulatory standards, cleaning immediately and following posted cleaning schedules.
Finance Essential Functions
Practice good cost control by using and storing food, supplies, and equipment properly, minimizing waste.
Use resources cost‑effectively and create value, managing time independently and prioritizing tasks while assisting coworkers.
Growth/Innovation Essential Functions
Recommend new food items from creation through menu inclusion.
Identify development needs, take appropriate action, and discuss career progression with management, updating the My Development Plan regularly.
Education
High School diploma or equivalent (e.g., GED, homeschool equivalency, partial or full post‑secondary education).
Work Experience
Two years of food‑service or large‑volume cooking experience in healthcare or hotel settings.
Licenses and Certifications – Required
Food Handlers Permit approved by the Texas Department of State Health Services (TXDSHS) or the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).
Licenses and Certifications – Preferred
ServSafe certification.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Demonstrate competencies necessary to safely perform job tasks, assessed through skill evaluations.
Proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing English required for safety‑critical activities.
Communicate effectively with patients, physicians, and staff using customer‑service language principles.
Exercise sound judgment and adapt to changing work environment.
Strong knowledge of kitchen equipment and sanitation principles.
Understand buffet receptions, upscale plated menus, and volume batch cooking.
Apply fundamental cooking techniques such as braising and searing.
Supplemental Requirements None specified.
Work Attire
Uniform: Yes
Scrubs: No
Business professional: No
Other department‑approved: Yes
On‑Call
Employees may need to be on‑call during emergencies (e.g., disaster, severe weather events) regardless of selection below.
On‑Call: No
Travel
Travel specifications may vary by department.
May require travel within the Houston metro area: No
May require travel outside Houston metro area: No
Houston Methodist is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
This job description is not intended to be all‑inclusive; employees may perform other reasonably related duties as assigned, and the institution reserves the right to revise duties as needed.
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People Essential Functions
Interact positively and professionally with patients, family, and staff, communicating clearly to promote work efforts and resolve problems.
Notify management of menu changes due to spoilage, shortages, or other unforeseen events.
Contribute to improvement of department employee engagement and peer‑to‑peer accountability.
Service Essential Functions
Cook food products for patients, the café, catering functions, and the doctor's lounge while maintaining high quality, proper temperatures, and garnishing plates.
Coordinate with production and food service coordinators to ensure scheduled meal preparation and delivery.
Assist in ordering and receiving food deliveries and transport food carts for meal service throughout hospital corridors and elevators.
Participate in daily production meetings, prioritizing patient satisfaction and customer service standards.
Quality/Safety Essential Functions
Follow HACCP program procedures: proper storage, preventing cross contamination, thawing, cooking, cooling, reheating temperatures, wrapping, labeling and date marking, documentation of food temperatures and freezer temperatures, and corrective actions.
Prepare food in accordance with standardized recipes, menus, safe food handling, and dietary restrictions, maintaining proper storage and sanitation in refrigerators and freezers.
Inspect all food for quality, freshness, and appearance, discarding expired items.
Maintain sanitation in the work area to meet federal, state, and local regulatory standards, cleaning immediately and following posted cleaning schedules.
Finance Essential Functions
Practice good cost control by using and storing food, supplies, and equipment properly, minimizing waste.
Use resources cost‑effectively and create value, managing time independently and prioritizing tasks while assisting coworkers.
Growth/Innovation Essential Functions
Recommend new food items from creation through menu inclusion.
Identify development needs, take appropriate action, and discuss career progression with management, updating the My Development Plan regularly.
Education
High School diploma or equivalent (e.g., GED, homeschool equivalency, partial or full post‑secondary education).
Work Experience
Two years of food‑service or large‑volume cooking experience in healthcare or hotel settings.
Licenses and Certifications – Required
Food Handlers Permit approved by the Texas Department of State Health Services (TXDSHS) or the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).
Licenses and Certifications – Preferred
ServSafe certification.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Demonstrate competencies necessary to safely perform job tasks, assessed through skill evaluations.
Proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing English required for safety‑critical activities.
Communicate effectively with patients, physicians, and staff using customer‑service language principles.
Exercise sound judgment and adapt to changing work environment.
Strong knowledge of kitchen equipment and sanitation principles.
Understand buffet receptions, upscale plated menus, and volume batch cooking.
Apply fundamental cooking techniques such as braising and searing.
Supplemental Requirements None specified.
Work Attire
Uniform: Yes
Scrubs: No
Business professional: No
Other department‑approved: Yes
On‑Call
Employees may need to be on‑call during emergencies (e.g., disaster, severe weather events) regardless of selection below.
On‑Call: No
Travel
Travel specifications may vary by department.
May require travel within the Houston metro area: No
May require travel outside Houston metro area: No
Houston Methodist is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
This job description is not intended to be all‑inclusive; employees may perform other reasonably related duties as assigned, and the institution reserves the right to revise duties as needed.
#J-18808-Ljbffr