DEPARTMENTS: Village Grocer Production Kitchen
POSITION TITLE: Prep Cook (Full-Time)
LOCATION: Village Grocer, Markham, Ontario
TITLE OF IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR: Executive Chef /Kitchen Supervisor
Scope
Join the Village Grocer Kitchen team and help bring fresh, high-quality food products to life. As a Prep Cook, you'll play a key role in preparing, cooking, packaging, and delivering delicious products to departments throughout the store. This is a great opportunity for someone who is passionate about food and eager to grow a career in the culinary industry.
You take pride in your professionalism, strong work ethic, and ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment. You enjoy collaborating with a team, learning new skills, and contributing to a shared goal. If you're driven, dependable, eager to take direction, and excited about creating great food experiences, you'll be a perfect fit for our team.
Why join us? You'll gain hands-on culinary experience, work alongside passionate food professionals, and be part of a dynamic environment where your dedication and enthusiasm can truly shine.
Role Requirements
- Follow recipes, production sheets, and direction from the Chef, Kitchen Manager, or designated supervisor to prepare food products for use in the grocery store's various departments.
- Gather, organize, and prepare ingredients by performing tasks such as washing, peeling, trimming, chopping, slicing, measuring, mixing, cooking, portioning, packaging, labeling, and storing food items according to company standards.
- Independently prepare a variety of deli and prepared-food products including soups, sauces, dressings, marinades, salads, side dishes, and other kitchen-made items while maintaining consistency, quality, and presentation standards.
- Perform a variety of cooking techniques including roasting, baking, steaming, sautéing, simmering, parboiling, grilling, and oven or stovetop preparation in accordance with established recipes and chef direction.
- Ensure all food products are prepared, handled, stored, and dated in compliance with food safety regulations, sanitation standards, and company policies.
-Accurately portion, package, label, and store completed products to ensure quality, freshness, and efficient use by other departments.
- Maintain a clean, organized, and sanitary kitchen environment by washing dishes and utensils, cleaning and sanitizing workstations, equipment, floors, and storage areas, and removing garbage and recycling as required.
- Safely operate and maintain kitchen equipment including knives, mixers, slicers, ovens, kettles, food processors, and other food preparation tools.
- Adhere to all workplace health and safety regulations, food handling requirements, and company policies to promote a safe working environment.
- Work efficiently in a fast-paced environment while managing multiple tasks and meeting daily production schedules and deadlines.
- Maintain a positive, professional, and team-oriented attitude when interacting with co-workers, supervisors, and other departments.
- Assist in training, mentoring, and supporting part-time team members by demonstrating proper food preparation, sanitation, and workplace procedures.
- Support kitchen operations by assisting with receiving deliveries, stocking supplies, inventory counts, and other operational duties as required.
- Perform additional duties, assignments, and special projects as directed by management to support the overall success of the in-house kitchen and grocery store operations.
Qualifications & Skills
- Graduate of a culinary program from an accredited instrutuion.
- 1-2 years of experience in food preparation, catering, restaurant, or commercial kitchen environments is required.
- Knowledge of food safety, sanitation, and safe food handling practices.
- Ability to follow recipes and written production instructions accurately.
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- Ability to stand for extended periods and lift up to 50 lbs (23 kg).
- Day shift with flexibility to work weekends and holidays as required.
- Food Handler Certification
Working Conditions
- Inside, loud, hot, cold (in storage freezer on occasion), slippery floors, fast paced
- May sustain minor cuts, burns and bruises on occasion while on the job
Success Factors
- Attention to detail
- Key skills required include:
- Speaking and engaging with colleagues in a calm, effective and friendly manner
- Listening skills
- Critical thinking and reasoning skills to solve problems quickly
- Basic Mathematics: Prep/Line Cooks are required to measure and weigh product for recipes
- Stamina: Prep/Line Cooks often stand for long periods of time and are required to lift medium to heavy objects
- Understands and follows written and verbal direction explicitly and asks for clarification when necessary
- Job Commitment: Punctual and able to work variable shifts as assigned by the department manager
- Role Engagement: Ability to work with a positive attitude and a high level of energy
- Responsibility Success: Effectively manage and complete all aspects of key responsibilities
- Collaborative Approach: Works well with others and enjoys being part of a team
About The Village Grocer
The Village Grocer has been a purveyor of quality foods in the Markham community for over 35 years. Started in 1986 by Evan & Cathy MacDonald, the company’s focus is to provide customers with wholesome & quality foods together with a high level of personalized service. The Village Grocer experience includes a full range of unique, every day and gourmet food offerings in a friendly retail-shopping environment that exudes discovery for the shopper. Under the banner “Great People, Quality Food” the Village Grocer provides consumers with quality food options beyond conventional food retailers.
The Village Grocer is committed to equality of opportunity in all aspects of employment. It is the policy of The Village Grocer to provide full and equal employment opportunities to all employees and potential employees without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, veteran status, age, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, physical or mental disability or any other legally protected status.
Pay: $19.00-$22.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Dental care
- Discounted or free food
- Extended health care
- Vision care
Application question(s):
- Are you a graduate of an accredited culinary institution?
Experience:
- Culinary: 1 year (required)
Work Location: In person
