Overview
Reedy Fork Center for Community Development is seeking a passionate and skilled Culinary Specialist to join our dynamic food service team. In this role, you will bring culinary expertise to a high-volume environment, ensuring the preparation and presentation of delicious, nutritious meals that meet all safety and quality standards. Your creativity in menu planning, precision in food preparation, and dedication to food safety will help deliver exceptional dining experiences for our customers. This position offers an exciting opportunity to showcase your culinary talents while contributing to a vibrant, fast-paced kitchen environment.
Key Responsibilities
- Meal Production & Kitchen Operations
- Plan, prep, cook, and serve meals in accordance with established menus, portion sizes, and nutritional guidelines.
- Ensure all food is prepared, held, and served in a safe, sanitary, and timely manner.
- Accommodate documented food allergies, sensitivities, and dietary restrictions with meticulous care and cross-contamination prevention.
- Assist with daily kitchen setup, transition between meal services, breakdown, and general operational maintenance.
Safety, Sanitation & Regulatory Compliance
- Maintain the highest standards of cleanliness and organization across the commercial kitchen, food storage pantries, coolers, and serving areas.
- Strictly adhere to South Carolina DHEC food safety standards, SC DSS childcare licensing food regulations, and USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) nutrition guidelines.
- Conduct daily temperature logs for food and refrigeration units, ensuring audit-readiness at all times.
- Safely operate, clean, and sanitize all commercial kitchen equipment (e.g., ovens, slicers, mixers, knives).
Inventory & Administrative Support
- Monitor food inventory, paper goods, and cleaning supplies; proactively communicate restocking needs to culinary business manger to minimize waste and budget overruns.
- Inspect incoming food deliveries for quality, accuracy, and proper temperature upon arrival.
- Collaborate with program directors and educators to coordinate meal schedules, field trip sack lunches, and special community events.
Community Culture & Mentorship
- Model positive behavior, professional hospitality, and support the faith-based values and culture of RFCCD in every interaction.
- Foster a welcoming, encouraging environment for customers, participants, staff, and volunteers while at RFCCD.
Experience & Qualifications
- Experience: Previous high-volume food preparation, catering, school nutrition, or commercial kitchen experience strongly preferred.
- Education: Minimum Associate Degree in Culinary Arts and equivalent experience in the hospitality field.
- Knowledge: Possess a working knowledge of food ordering, meal planning, budgeting, and accepted kitchen procedures. (Experience with USDA, Department of Agriculture, or other food programs is a major plus).
- Skills: Strong organizational and time-management skills; ability to thrive in a fast-paced, multi-program environment.
- Work Style: Demonstrated ability to work independently with minimal supervision while functioning seamlessly as part of a mission-driven team. Possess good health, character, dependable and responsible person.
- Background Check: Must successfully pass a comprehensive state and federal background check, including South Carolina DSS child abuse and neglect registry screenings (required for youth facility contact).
Physical Requirements
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The successful incumbent must demonstrate the:
- Ability to stand and walk for extended periods (4–8 hours per shift).
- Ability to lift, carry, and move up to 40–50 pounds frequently (e.g., bulk food supplies, heavy cookware, crates).
- Ability to bend, stoop, kneel, reach above shoulders, and move rapidly throughout the shift.
- Ability to comfortably work in a warm, commercial kitchen environment for extended periods.
- Manual dexterity required to safely handle knives and operate commercial food preparation equipment.
- Ability to push, pull, and maneuver loaded utility carts and transport food items across the facility.
- Ability to maintain high energy, stamina, and a positive attitude during high-volume meal service rushes.
Join us as a Culinary Specialist if you’re eager to elevate your culinary career by delivering exceptional meals with passion and precision!
Reedy Fork Center for Community Development is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in all areas of employment. This position description is at-will and is not intended to create a contract of employment.
Pay: $20.00 - $25.00 per hour
Work Location: In person
