Cook AM-PM - Hilton Garden Inn, Cedar Rapids

Garden Grille within Hilton Garden Inn Cedar Rapids is looking for motivated, friendly and productive A.M. & P.M shift cooks to join our team. Weekends and flexibility are required. Competitive pay, PTO & Benefits included. Apply within for immediate consideration or online.

Cooks are responsible for providing a pleasurable dining experience for customers by preparing high quality food. This usually means managing all aspects of food preparation and production in an environment that meets sanitation guidelines. Their duties can range from preparing ingredients to be cooked, to being responsible for grilling all foods.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Pleases customers by providing a pleasant dining experience.
• Serves meals by reviewing recipes; assembling, combining, and cooking ingredients; and maintaining a sanitary kitchen.

• Executes cold food production in accordance with standards of plating guide specifications.
• Attends to the detail and presentation of each order.
• Places and expedites orders.
• Prepares ingredients by following recipes; slicing, cutting, chopping, mincing, stirring, whipping, and mixing ingredients; adding seasonings; verifying taste; and plating meals.
• Completes hot meal preparation by grilling, sauting, roasting, frying, and broiling ingredients and assembling and refrigerating cold ingredients.
• Adheres to proper food handling, sanitation, and safety procedures; maintains temperature and Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) logs as required; and maintains appropriate dating, labeling, and rotation of all food items.
• Stores leftovers according to established standards.
• Coordinates daily food supply inventory for cafeteria. Submits order to supervisor.
• Assists with receipt of deliveries.
• Contributes to daily, holiday, and theme menus in collaboration with supervisor.
• Ensures smooth operation of cafeteria services during absence of supervisor.
• Maintains cleanliness and sanitation of equipment, food storage, and work areas.
• Completes cleaning according to daily and weekly schedules and dishwashing/pot washing as needed.
• Assists with orienting new employees to their work area.
• Listens to customer complaints and suggestions and resolves complaints.
• Implements suggestions within parameter of position and refers more complex concerns to supervisor.
• Instructs personnel in use of new equipment and cleaning methods and provides efficient and effective methods of maintaining work area.
• Participates in and/or contributes to programs, committees, or projects designed to improve quality of service and employee productivity.
• Must be able to handle a crisis in a calm, effective manner. This includes upset guests, fire, tornado, armed robbery and assault, bomb threats and accidents.
• Wears proper uniform at all times and is warm, welcoming and genuine
• Step in for other staff as directed/needed or other duties as assigned
• Attend staff meetings as needed
• All other duties assigned by Management

HGI POLICIES

Responsible for following all HGI policies and procedures as set forth in the HGI handbook and property specific guidelines/standards. These policies include dress code, safety and performance standards. Employees must also maintain a professional image and report to work as scheduled.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

• Hold self and others to high ethical standards.
• Performs work well with speed, accuracy and attention to detail.
• Ability to work well in stressful, high pressure situations
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of guest information
• Customer-Service Centric
• Demonstrated strategic thinking skills.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Can work well unsupervised but also among a team
• High energy personality.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills to develop and enhance business
• Warm, friendly, and service-oriented philosophy.
• High degree of flexibility and tolerance for change.
• Computer literate.
• Excellent organizational, problem-solving skills and follow-through skills.
• Ability to carry out multi-task projects.
• Ability to work well with diverse groups or individuals.
• Regular and consistent attendance.
• Willing and able to work evenings, weekends and holidays; available for flexible scheduling to meet the needs of the department
• Knowledge of federal, state and local laws, ordinances and regulations and HGI policy regarding food preparation, handling and serving.
• Must have or be able to obtain food preparation/sanitation certification or equivalent as required by HGI brand, county and state.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

• High School Diploma or GED
• Current SERVSAFE certification or ability to successfully completed a food safety/sanitation course within 90 days of hire
• Current food handler's card and other certification as required by federal/state/local law
• Familiar with point-of-sale computers and software
• Comfortable using a computer, navigating Windows, Microsoft Office, and Outlook Email

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Must be able to speak, read, write and understand the primary language(s) used in the workplace. Must be able to read and write to facilitate the communication process. Requires good communication skills, both verbal and written. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the public.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Ability to read, write and recognize numbers, comprehend signs and symbols; cash handling skills required; basic algebra required

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. All employees must always follow proper safety precautions to avoid injuries.

Walking and standing are required throughout the working day. Length of time of these tasks may vary from day to day and task to task. Ability to physically self-demonstrate cooking techniques, i.e., cutting, preparing, plate presentation, safety and sanitation practices. Must be able to bend, stoop, squat and lift up to 40 lbs. on a regular and continuing basis. Must be able to push and pull carts and equipment occasionally. Requires grasping, writing, standing, sitting, walking, repetitive motions, bending, climbing, listening and hearing ability and visual acuity. Talking and hearing occur continuously in the process of communicating with guests, fellow associates, and supervisors.

WORKING CONDITIONS

The job is performed in a food & beverage setting within a hotel. Due to the cyclical nature of the hospitality industry, employees may be required to work varying schedules to reflect the business needs of the hotel. In addition, attendance at all scheduled training sessions and meetings is required. The work can be fast paced to meet constant deadlines and noisy. Work physically near others, wear uniforms such as aprons and gloves, exposed to hazardous conditions that produce cuts or minor burns, and often exposed to hot and cold temperatures, such as ovens and retrieving food from freezers. All employees must always follow proper safety precautions to avoid injuries.

SAFETY REQUIREMENTS

Must be aware and conform to all safety requirements when in the building, operating motor vehicles, performing work with, near or around any/all equipment including sharp knives as well as while cleaning/sanitizing such equipment.