Who we are:

At Challenge Unlimited, our vision is to become a national leader in providing employment services to people with disabilities that empower them to reach their full potential. We intentionally provide opportunities for individuals with disabilities which will assist them to live, work, and participate in the community.

Challenge Unlimited is driven by its core values: community, helpfulness, abilities, leadership, learning, ethics, innovation, growth, and effective outcomes. It is these values that have powered Challenge Unlimited to its success and has helped over 600 disabled individuals find meaningful work across all of our locations.

Position Summary:

Reporting to the Project Manager or his/her designee, the Cook is responsible for performing food service support in an environment which provides people who have different abilities opportunities to work with integrated teams and receive work support as needed—achieving the highest level of independence possible.

Performs food preparation at the assigned location according to menus and recipes. Washes, peels, cuts, seeds, dips, grills, deep fries, bakes, broils, and microwaves food product. May be assigned to clean and sanitize work areas and equipment used. Contributes to teamwork by training and helping co-workers, communicating needs to the supervisor, and implementing feedback for improvement. Performs duties with a special focus on safety, quality, and customer service.

Pay Rate: $18.58
Shift: Full-Time, 10:00am - 6:00pm, weekends included
Location: Rantoul Illinois

Job Duties:

1. Prepare Food for Service Gather all the necessary equipment and supplies for the meal(s). Wash, peel, seed vegetables and fruits and cut various food items including meats, poultry, and seafood.

2. Follow Recipes Measure and assemble ingredients and cook items according to recipes, having the ability to convert the recipes to the proper amount as specified on the production sheet and menu specifications. Dip food items in crumbs, flour, and batter to bread them. Stirs and strains soups and sauces.

3. Cook Food Grill, deep fry, bake, broil, and microwave raw and prepped foods as designated by the predetermined menu. Ensure that food comes out simultaneously, in high quality, and in a timely fashion.

4. Work Area Maintenance: Clean work areas, equipment, and utensils. Follow all sanitization guidelines proper labelling and storage of food products and storing food in designated areas. Carry pans, kettles, and trays of food to and from workstations, stive, and refrigerator. Assist with performing daily, weekly, and/or monthly detail cleaning of the kitchen, service areas, and kitchen equipment such as counters, tables, ovens, refrigerators, freezers, mixers, mobile carts, etc. If/as assigned. Help set up/ tear down service area chairs and tables as needed.

5. Effective Leadership Perform work according to the contract’s statement of work, company policies, and procedures with a special focus on safety, quality, and customer service. Direct the preparation of food; prepare and serve food; arrange and direct the appropriate storage of food and supplies. Follow schedules and/or task assignments as directed. Help communicate job expectations to new-hires or others in need of assistance. Assist with training and helping co-workers. Report issues and needs to Project Manager. Implement feedback for improvement. Assist with building an effective company culture that embodies our Company values to achieve optimum performance levels and achieve goals and objectives.

Position Qualifications:

Education: High School Diploma or G.E.D. preferred.Experience: 2+ years of kitchen experience in a line capacity of a high-volume, cafeteria/banquet-style environment.Certifications/Licenses: Currently possess or be able to obtain Food Handler’s Certificate (training is provided by Company and must be successfully completed within the first month of employment).Pre-Employment Tests: n/aComputer Skills: n/aBackground Checks: Must pass criminal background check. Must pass various State and Federal registry checks.Driving: Company travel using a personal insured vehicle is not required. Must provide own transportation to and from work.

Physical Demands:

Sitting: Occasionally sitting in the normal course of sedentary-type work.Standing: Frequently standing, walking, bending, squatting, reaching, and twisting during food prep and clean-up work.Hearing, Speaking: Frequently listening to and speaking with managers, staff, and clients to communicate about requests.Seeing: Continually visually alert follow recipes, to use knives and mixers and to cook in general and to monitor client and employee actions to maintain safety, to give instructions, perform food service-related duties and to complete any reports.Handling: Frequently using hands in pouring, refilling, wiping, serving, washing dishes, preparing food, completing reports, and cleaning.Movement: Occasionally bending, reaching, and twisting to move food products, dishes, mop, sweep, etc.; occasionally climbing stairs and/or ladders.Lifting: May need to lift or carry up to 45 lbs. in moving food products, mop buckets, or dishes.BenefitsHealth Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&D)Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays)Short Term & Long-Term DisabilityTraining & Development
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.