The Head Cook partners with the Assistant Cook and is responsible to the Project Director.
Tasks
- Plan and prepare a hot breakfast and evening meal daily and provide food for lunches and breaks, from Monday to Friday.
- Ensure sufficient food is available for Leadership & Long-Term Volunteers to prepare for themselves on weekends.
- Ensure all food safety standards in food preparation are followed as outlined in the MDS Field Guide and MDS Cooks Training.
- Ensure the cleanliness of the kitchen and dining room.
- Manage food inventory and purchase food and kitchen supplies, supporting local businesses, if possible.
- Partnering with the Assistant Cook, work to meet the needs of those with food allergies, medical needs, and dietary restrictions, including those who are gluten and lactose intolerant, vegan, vegetarian, and diabetic. MDS cooks may not always be able to accommodate other food preferences or diet plans, for example, Mediterranean, Keto, South Beach, etc.
- Give leadership to assistant cooks and other kitchen helpers, providing them with meaningful work and a positive volunteer experience.
- Equip and welcome Weekly Volunteers in doing the dishes and cleaning the dining area following dinner.
- Make sure the kitchen equipment is clean, in safe working order, and stored in an organized fashion. Work with the Project Director to have equipment replaced as needed.
- Work through disagreements and conflicts while maintaining relationships.
- Assist with other tasks, as requested (e.g. cleaning, running errands).
More Information
- Must be a Christian, active participant in a church, and in agreement with the Shared Convictions of Mennonite World Conference
- Strives to shape their leadership and behavior after the life & teachings of Jesus
- Must be a leader who serves the MDS mission and those with whom they work
- Uses power & authority to help others around them thrive and fulfill their roles and responsibilities
- Commitment to following nutrition and food safety guidelines
- Experience in preparing meals for large groups preferred
- Ability to have meals ready on schedule
- Ability to empower and encourage others
- Ability to empower others and delegate tasks as needed
- Organizational skills
- Team player, team builder, and encourager
- Strong communication, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills
- Flexibility, patience, and a positive attitude