Culinary Assistant (Grill Cook)

Swarthmore College is a highly selective liberal arts college located in the suburbs of Philadelphia, whose mission combines academic rigor with social responsibility. Swarthmore has a strong institutional commitment to inclusive excellence and nondiscrimination in its educational program and employment practices and encourages candidates who will further advance the goal of fostering a diverse and inclusive community. As one of the nation’s finest institutions of higher learning, Swarthmore College is global in outlook and draws students from around the nation and world. The 425‐acre campus is a designated arboretum, complete with gardens, rolling lawns, a creek, wooded hills, and hiking trails in the Crum Woods.

Who We Are:

Swarthmore College Dining Services are owned and operated by the College. We are proud to provide the campus with quality dining experiences in a variety of inviting, comfortable venues. We pride ourselves in our cuisine and hospitality, and believe that dining is a critical part of building intentional community in the spirit of Swarthmore.

Our mission is to provide fresh, nutritious, and satisfying food in a welcoming environment each and every day. Throughout our dining locations and catering, we offer a diverse menu using the highest-quality ingredients and locally grown and produced products wherever available. We strive to make dining with us a both delicious and inclusive experience, and we work collaboratively with students to accommodate their needs.

The opportunity:

As a member of the Dining Services department, the Culinary Assistant will work in any of the following stations depending on the schedule or need of the department roles: grill cook, grill assistant, salad prep, deli, prep cook. Working in a fast-paced and dynamic environment, having a passion for food, enjoying being part of an energetic team and the opportunity to make a difference in the student’s dining experience on Swarthmore’s campus.

Possess exceptional customer service skills and have the ability to work in a fast-paced environment. Able to work independently and as part of a team. This person is able to prioritize and multitask. Prepare grilled food, deli meats, salad bar items and catering foods in accordance with the instructions, specifications and recipes provided. Prepare and provide food in a safe and timely manner. Required to have knowledge of cooking temperatures and knowledge of operating grill equipment and must keep the work area clean and sanitized at all times. This is a 9-month position, working between the months of August-May. 

Essential Responsibilities

• Provides prompt, efficient, and friendly service to a diverse clientele.
• Perform start up duties. Plug in and turn on all cooking equipment, which include grill, oven, toasters, hearth and fryers. Set to proper temperatures.
• Foods/ingredients that need to be grilled or cooked are properly laid out, cut, cubed, and sliced according to specified requirements.
• Follows directions from the shifts lead cook  for meal production requirements
• Thoroughly wash and sanitize produce to be prepped
• Label with product name, prepared date and use by date
• Store food in correct racks with label for the days use
• Store in proper refrigerator/freezer
• Knowledge of food product, identification, and acceptable level of food quality
• Ensures food is stored at the appropriate temperature for the appropriate length of time and follows all food safety standards
• Must know methods of food preparation, cooking times, and portion sizes to ensure food is prepared in prescribed manner
• Evaluates food quality and preparedness by tasting
• Cuts, trims, bones, and carves meats and poultry for cooking
• Responsible for using correct portions when cutting, preparing, and serving items
• Assists in other areas as needed
• Follow all food safety HACCP requirements
• Maintain a professional and clean appearance at all times
• Be sure food items are appropriately thawed prior to using.
• Manage inventory of food supplies.
• Understand all menu items and prepare these items according to recipes and item specifications.
• Prepares grilled items according to customer’s specifications.
• Must be able to use the grill to its full capacity. Must be able to cook and manage many orders at the same time while maintaining consistency and quality.
• Manage portions of grilled food items.
• Must be aware of production needed across all areas including grill, salad bar, deli, pizza  catering and  residential dining. This includes daily specials in these areas.
• Prioritize and complete multiple concurrent tasks.
• Maintain a clean and sanitized work area in accordance with ServSafe s