Harlem Children’s Zone (HCZ) — a world-renowned education and poverty-fighting organization based in New York — seeks an enthusiastic, dedicated, and mission-aligned Cook with the Promise Academy Kitchen Department.

The Cook will bring a passion for the mission of Harlem Children’s Zone: break the cycle of intergenerational poverty with comprehensive, on-the-ground programming that builds up opportunities for children and families to thrive in school, work, and life.

The Cook will join our Promise Academy Kitchen team that works to transform how the community engages with food—by improving our nutrition environment and thinking more sustainably about what we eat through hands-on nutrition education in the garden and the kitchen, in the classroom, and in the boardroom. Transforming what we eat is crucial to HCZ’s larger missions—in the classroom, future, and beyond. The better we eat, the better we learn, and the better we live. So, join us as we create a community of educated eaters. The Cook assists in preparing meals in the kitchen under the guidance and direction of the Lead Cook (Kitchen Manager) and the Management Team. You’ll perform routine kitchen tasks such as setting up workstations and ingredients, so that food can be prepared according to recipes. A great cook will be quick and diligent and willing to improve on the job and possess the ability to follow instructions and all health and safety rules in the kitchen. You will also be in charge of ensuring that the kitchen and equipment are properly cleaned and maintained. To be successful in this job, you will need thorough experience with hot and cold food preparation. 

For more information, check out Want to Work at Harlem Children’s Zone? Here’s 7 Things You Need to Know.

Minimum Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED 
• Culinary Arts Training / Culinary Diploma
• Valid NYC DOH Food Protection Certificate 

Who you are

• Must have good interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to work in a team environment and demonstrate excellent customer service
• Must have the ability to lead and support the kitchen staff
• Minimum three years experience in the food service industry as a cook
• Must be able to understand verbal and written instructions
• Must be knowledgeable and able to manage and comply with Health Department
• Must have a strong knowledge of food preparation and high-volume production
• Individual is responsible for achieving on-site certifications provided by the employer

What you'll do

• Observe and follow safety standards; clean, sanitize and maintain the kitchen
• Communicate with staff and management
• Attend in-service training
• Responsible for execution of the meal and understanding the timing of food production to have all components ready for consumption
• Responsible for expediting and maintaining the amount of food produced based on forecasted demand during service times
• Ability to cook and prepare food according to production guidelines and recipes
• Knowledge of food products, identification, and acceptable level of food quality
• Must know methods of food preparation, cooking times, and portion sizes to ensure food is prepared in the prescribed manner
• Evaluate food quality and preparedness by tasting
• Ensure food is stored at the appropriate temperature for the appropriate length of time and follows all food safety standards
• Setting up & breaking down kitchen
• Maintain a clean, safe, and sanitary workstation, equipment, and utensils
• Ability to safely operate all kitchen equipment (choppers, slicers, ovens, steamers, a variety of knives, etc.)
• Assist Lead Cook in maintaining production records (food usage, overages, shortages, customer counts, etc.)
• Assist Lead Cook in maintaining established logs (food temperatures, cooling temperatures, cooler & freezer temperatures, etc.)
• Communicate with management regarding food product that needs to be ordered for upcoming production
• Report safety hazards discovered on location to management immediately 
• Able to provide outstanding customer service and get along with coworkers, the HCZ community, and management team
• Responsible for receiving deliveries and proper storage of all items
• Knowledge of CACFP Guidelines & performing other related duties as assigned
• Ability to stand for long periods of time; ability to bend, kneel, and reach to store/retrieve supplies
• Ability to lift, carry, and push supplies and boxes up to 50 pounds
• Occasional environment exposures to cold, heat, and water

Schedule

• Monday-Friday 
• 6:30 AM- 2:30 PM

Benefits

As a member of the Harlem Children's Zone team, you will join a supportive and inclusive community dedicated to helping children, families — and our staff — thrive. We offer highly competitive salaries, a comprehensive benefits package, and opportunities for growth.

Our exceptional full-time benefits include: 

• Highly competitive base salaries
• Paid time off 
• Employee referral bonus 
• Career Advancement
• No-cost health insurance
• Life Insurance
• Short-and long-term disability
• Additional voluntary benefits
• Wellness discounts
• Commuter benefits
• Financial wellness perks
• Additional Benefits (Discounts on flights, hotels, theme parks, concert tickets, and more.)

The salary range for this position is $40,000-$45,000 per year.  To be considered, interested applicants should apply directly through the posting. No telephone inquiries or recruiters, please. Replies will only be sent to qualified applicants. Harlem Children's Zone is an Equal Opportunity Employer.