Kitchen Cook
Reports To: Operations ManagerDepartment: Food ServicesStatus: Full-Time, Non-ExemptSchedule: Monday–Friday, 6:30 AM–3:00 PM (Weekends and Holidays as Needed)
Position Summary
ASF Solutions is seeking a reliable, hardworking, and team-oriented Kitchen Cook to join our commercial kitchen team. We are looking for someone who takes pride in doing their job well, works with a sense of urgency, and understands how to contribute to a team in a busy, high-volume kitchen environment.
This role is ideal for someone who is dependable, adaptable, organized, coachable, and willing to jump in wherever needed to help the team succeed. Our kitchen moves quickly, and every team member plays an important role in ensuring meals are prepared correctly and delivered on time. The right person can maintain focus under pressure, communicate well with others, follow direction, and keep moving when production demands are high.
The Kitchen Cook is responsible for preparing nutritious, high-quality meals served to approximately 200 clients each day across seven interim housing sites. This requires consistency, reliability, urgency, attention to detail, and a strong commitment to food safety.
Every meal must be prepared safely, packaged accurately, and ready on time. We are looking for someone who understands that their work is bigger than the kitchen itself—every meal prepared directly contributes to the health, dignity, and well-being of the individuals we serve.
Essential ResponsibilitiesMeal Production
- Prepare breakfast, lunch, and dinner according to approved menus, standardized recipes, and production schedules.
- Produce meals that are consistent in quality, taste, presentation, and portion size.
- Work efficiently within established production timelines to ensure meals are completed and ready for delivery on time.
- Prepare ingredients and complete assigned prep work according to daily production needs.
- Assist with special dietary meals and menu modifications as directed.
- Monitor food quality throughout preparation and immediately communicate concerns.
- Minimize food waste through proper preparation, portioning, storage, and handling practices.
- Adjust to changing production needs and assist in other areas of the kitchen when necessary.
Kitchen Operations
- Maintain a clean, organized, and efficient workstation throughout each shift.
- Contribute to the cleanliness and organization of the entire kitchen rather than focusing only on assigned areas.
- Safely operate commercial kitchen equipment and immediately report maintenance or safety concerns.
- Wash, sanitize, and properly store equipment, utensils, cookware, and supplies.
- Assist with receiving, organizing, labeling, and rotating food inventory using FIFO (First In, First Out) practices.
- Help maintain appropriate inventory levels by communicating shortages or low-stock items.
- Complete opening, closing, and assigned cleaning responsibilities.
Food Safety & Compliance
- Follow all Los Angeles County Public Health regulations and applicable food safety standards.
- Maintain proper food temperatures during preparation, cooking, holding, cooling, packaging, and transport.
- Prevent cross-contamination by following proper food handling procedures.
- Ensure ingredients and prepared foods are properly labeled, dated, stored, and rotated.
- Follow sanitation, cleaning, personal hygiene, and workplace safety procedures at all times.
- Immediately report food safety, sanitation, equipment, or workplace hazards to the Operations Manager.
Meal Packaging & Distribution
- Assist with portioning and packaging meals for delivery to ASF interim housing sites.
- Verify meal counts, portion sizes, and special meal requirements before meals leave the kitchen.
- Ensure meals are packaged appropriately to maintain food quality and temperature.
- Stage meals according to established delivery schedules.
- Work with the kitchen team to address shortages, discrepancies, or last-minute production needs before delivery.
Teamwork & Communication
- Work collaboratively with the Operations Manager and kitchen team to maintain efficient daily operations.
- Be willing to assist teammates when another area of the kitchen needs support.
- Communicate inventory shortages, equipment concerns, production delays, and other operational issues promptly.
- Receive direction and constructive feedback professionally and make adjustments when needed.
- Assist with recipe documentation, menu improvements, inventory projects, and other kitchen initiatives as assigned.
- Maintain professional and respectful communication, even during busy or high-pressure periods.
- Contribute to a workplace culture built around accountability, teamwork, respect, and service.
Who Thrives in This Role
The strongest Kitchen Cooks at ASF Solutions are people who:
- Show up ready to work. They are punctual, dependable, prepared, and understand that the entire production schedule depends on each team member being present and ready.
- Move with purpose. They understand that a commercial kitchen requires urgency and can maintain a steady, productive pace throughout the shift.
- Are true team players. They do not operate with a “that's not my job” mentality. When the kitchen needs support, they are willing to step in and help.
- Stay calm under pressure. They can work through busy production periods, changing priorities, and tight deadlines without allowing frustration to affect their work or the team.
- Take direction well. They listen, ask questions when clarification is needed, accept feedback, and make corrections quickly.
- Pay attention to details. They understand that portions, temperatures, meal counts, labels, recipes, and delivery times matter.
- Take ownership. They recognize problems, communicate them promptly, and take responsibility for completing their assigned work.
- Respect the mission. They understand that the meals leaving our kitchen are being served to real people who deserve quality, dignity, consistency, and care.
This Role May Not Be for You If…
This position may not be the right fit if you:
- Struggle with punctuality or consistent attendance.
- Prefer a slow-paced environment or have difficulty working under deadlines.
- Are uncomfortable receiving direction or constructive feedback.
- Prefer to work independently rather than as part of a team.
- Are unwilling to help outside of your immediate assigned task when the kitchen needs support.
- Have difficulty maintaining cleanliness, organization, or food safety standards.
- Need constant supervision to complete assigned responsibilities.
Qualifications
- High school diploma or equivalent preferred.
- Minimum 2 years of experience in a commercial, institutional, healthcare, school, catering, or other high-volume kitchen preferred.
- Experience preparing meals in a production environment is strongly preferred.
- Knowledge of food safety, sanitation, and proper food handling procedures.
- Ability to accurately follow standardized recipes and production schedules.
- Ability to work effectively as part of a team.
- Strong organizational, communication, and time-management skills.
- Ability to follow instructions and respond appropriately to coaching and feedback.
- Ability to prioritize tasks and maintain productivity in a fast-paced environment.
- Ability to work efficiently under deadlines while maintaining food quality and safety standards.
- Dependable attendance and reliable transportation are required.
Physical Requirements
- Ability to stand and walk for extended periods throughout the workday.
- Frequently lift and carry up to 50 pounds.
- Push and pull carts containing food, equipment, and supplies.
- Bend, reach, stoop, lift, and perform repetitive kitchen tasks.
- Safely work around commercial ovens, stoves, hot surfaces, sharp utensils, and other kitchen equipment.
- Work effectively in hot, busy, and fast-moving commercial kitchen environments.
Required Certification
- Food Handler Certification required within 30 days of employment; employer-paid.
What Success Looks Like
Successful Kitchen Cooks consistently:
- Arrive on time, prepared to work, and maintain dependable attendance.
- Complete assigned preparation and cooking responsibilities within established production timelines.
- Prepare meals that are safe, nutritious, properly portioned, and consistent in quality.
- Meet daily meal production, packaging, and delivery deadlines.
- Maintain a clean, organized, and food-safe workstation throughout the shift.
- Follow recipes, menus, portion requirements, and food safety standards consistently.
- Accurately assist with meal counts and packaging before distribution.
- Communicate problems early rather than allowing them to disrupt production.
- Respond professionally to direction, coaching, and changing priorities.
- Step in to support teammates and overall kitchen operations when needed.
- Take ownership of assigned responsibilities and follow tasks through to completion.
- Demonstrate professionalism, respect, urgency, and teamwork every day.
- Understand that the kitchen succeeds as a team and actively contribute to that success.
About ASF Solutions
ASF Solutions is committed to serving individuals experiencing homelessness with dignity, compassion, and excellence. Every meal we prepare is an opportunity to provide nourishment, stability, and care to the communities we serve.
Our Food Services team plays a critical role in that mission. We expect every member of our kitchen team to approach their work with professionalism, accountability, teamwork, and respect for the people we serve.
ASF Solutions is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all employees are respected and valued. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected status under applicable law.
ASF Solutions is an at-will employer. Employment may be terminated by either the employee or the organization at any time, with or without cause or notice, subject to applicable law.
Job Type: Full-TimePay: $20.00–$22.00 per hour
Schedule
- Monday–Friday
- 6:30 AM–3:00 PM
- Weekends and holidays as operationally required
Work Location
Commercial kitchen with meal service supporting multiple interim housing sites throughout Los Angeles County.
Pay: $20.00 - $22.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
