Position Summary: The Memphis Zoo is seeking kitchen cooks that have experience working in catering kitchens. Needs to be energetic and used to working in fast paced environments with changing locations. Your main responsibilities include: food preparation, plating of dinners, serving dishes to servers. The ideal candidate will have the ability to work flexible shifts and be self-driven with strong work ethic and can work well with minimum supervision.
Essential Functions:
- Prepare and cook food according to recipes, quality standards, presentation standards and food preparation list.
- Ensure that food comes out simultaneously, in high quality in a timely manner.
- Maintain a positive and professional approach with coworkers and guests.
- Keep work area, as well as areas of the kitchen, neat and tidy.
- Take care of leftover items once event has wrapped finished.
- Prepare proper plate and platter presentations for events.
- Support banquet and buffet by ensuring adequate stock of items.
- Wash dishes before, during and after event.
- General clean up after event.
- Closing down kitchen according to set standards.
Skills/Behavior:
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills with a focus on guest satisfaction.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and handle multiple tasks efficiently.
- Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and holidays.
- Positive attitude and willingness to learn and adapt in a team-oriented environment.
- Ability to stand for extended periods.
Competencies:
- Stress Management/Composure.
- Flexibility.
- Teamwork Orientation.
Preferred Education and Experience:
- Previous catering kitchen experience.
Supervisory Responsibility: None
Reporting Structure: Reports to the Executive Chef, Sous Chef.
Position Type/Expected Hours of Work: This is a gig position that is for Catering Events. Shift availability will be based on scheduled events.
Work Environment:
The work environment is fast-paced and may involve exposure to warmer temperatures. Employees should be prepared to work in a busy and dynamic setting.
Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, talk and hear. The employee is constantly required to use hands and fingers to feel, handle or operate objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl and walk. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Please note that this job description is not exhaustive and additional duties may be assigned, or existing duties may be modified, at any time to meet the needs of the organization.
Answer these questions from the employer:
By submitting your application, you hereby certify that the facts set forth in the above employment application are true and complete to the best of your knowledge.
Certification
I certify that the information provided on this application is truthful and accurate. I understand that providing false or misleading information will be basis for rejection of my application, or if employment commences, immediate termination.
I authorize Memphis Zoo to contact former employers and educational organizations regarding my employment and education. I authorize my former employers and educational organizations to fully and freely communicate information regarding my previous employment, attendance, and grades. I authorize those persons designated as references to fully and freely communicate information regarding my previous employment and education.
If an employment relationship is created, I understand that unless I am offered a specific written contract of employment signed on behalf of the organization by its CEO, the employment relationship will be "at-will". In other words, the relationship will be entirely voluntary in nature, and either I or my employer will be able to terminate the employment relationship at any time and without cause.
With appropriate notice, I will have the full and complete discretion to end the employment relationship when I choose for reasons of my choice. Similarly, my employer will have the same right. Moreover, no agent, representative, or employee of Memphis Zoo, except in a specific written contract of employment signed on behalf of the organization by the CEO, has the power to alter or vary the voluntary nature of the employment relationship.
I HAVE CAREFULLY READ THE ABOVE CERTIFICATION AND I UNDERSTAND AND AGREE TO ITS TERMS.
EEOC AND INCLUSION STATEMENT The Memphis Zoo believes that human diversity is as important as the biodiversity we seek to conserve. World-class zoos are comprised of world-class team members representing a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We value a diverse workplace and strongly encourage people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, and veterans to apply. The Memphis Zoo is an equal-opportunity employer. Applicants will not be discriminated against because of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, citizenship status, disability, ancestry, marital status, veteran status, medical condition, or any protected category prohibited by local, state or federal laws. If you need to request any accommodations for the interview or hiring process, please let the Human Resources team (HR) know. HR can be contacted at hrteam@memphiszoo.org. The Memphis Zoo participates in E-Verify and is an EEO/ADA/Veteran employer.
How to Apply: Applications should be submitted via the Memphis Zoo Careers page. Please note that any other application submissions will not be considered. www.memphiszoo.org/careers.
