Job Description

Cook – Monday–Friday Daytime Opportunities

Quest Food Management Services is hiring Cooks for multiple school dining locations in Chicago's North and North Shore suburbs.

If you have cooking experience and are looking for a more predictable schedule, this may be a great opportunity to bring your culinary skills to an environment with daytime hours and Monday–Friday schedules.

We currently have Cook opportunities in several locations, including:

• Deerfield
• Vernon Hills
• Libertyville
• Highland Park.

Available schedules and pay rates vary by location, and our Recruiting team will work with you to identify the opportunity that best matches your location, experience, schedule, and compensation needs.

Pay Range: Approximately $17.00–$19.00 per hour, depending on location and experience

Sign On Bonus: $500 at certain locations

Schedule: Monday–Friday, primarily daytime hours

Locations: Chicago North/North Shore suburbs

Position Summary

The Cook is responsible for preparing and serving fresh, high-quality meals while maintaining Quest's standards for food quality, safety, sanitation, and guest service.

This is a hands-on culinary position ideal for someone who enjoys cooking, working as part of a team, and providing a great food experience. Our Cooks prepare menu items according to established recipes and production requirements while helping ensure food is ready for service on time and presented consistently.

What You'll Do

• Prepare and cook menu items according to recipes, production needs, and Quest standards.
• Follow established portioning, presentation, and quality standards.
• Prepare ingredients and complete daily food production for assigned meal periods.
• Set up and maintain food stations for service.
• Ensure food is prepared and served at appropriate temperatures.
• Assist with receiving, stocking, rotating, and properly storing food and supplies.
• Monitor product levels and communicate inventory or supply needs to management.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and sanitary kitchen and work area.
• Follow all food safety, sanitation, HACCP, and allergen procedures.
• Properly label, date, store, and rotate food products.
• Safely operate kitchen equipment and properly use knives and other culinary tools.
• Provide friendly and professional service to students, guests, clients, and fellow team members.
• Assist other team members and areas of the operation as needed.
• Follow Quest policies, procedures, and safety standards.

What We're Looking For

• Previous cooking or food preparation experience in a restaurant, school, healthcare, corporate dining, catering, or other food service environment preferred.
• Working knowledge of basic cooking techniques and commercial kitchen equipment.
• Ability to follow recipes and production instructions.
• Understanding of basic food safety and sanitation practices.
• Dependable and able to maintain a consistent work schedule.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team.
• Strong attention to food quality, cleanliness, and safety.
• Ability to communicate effectively with managers and team members.
• Food Handler certification or ability to obtain required certification.
• Ability to successfully complete any background or clearance requirements applicable to the specific account.

Why Quest?

At Quest Food Management Services, we believe great food and great service start with great people. We prepare fresh, made-from-scratch food using high-quality ingredients and strive to create an environment where team members feel valued and supported.

For food service professionals coming from restaurants or hospitality, our school dining opportunities can offer something that's hard to find in the industry: predictable daytime schedules and primarily Monday–Friday work.

Multiple Cook opportunities are currently available. Apply once and speak with our Recruiting team about which location, schedule, and opportunity may be the best fit for you.

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