Colorado Restaurant Jobs

Job Description:

Mission of Focus Points Family Resource Center: To build better communities by strengthening families.

Scope of Organization:
For nearly 30 years, Focus Points has worked successfully to transform the lives of low-income and working families in Northeast Denver and beyond. Focus Points serves over 3,000 participants each year, most of whom are Spanish-speaking immigrants. Focus Points is strongly committed to our values around collaboration, equity, integrity, and solidarity which add to our four pillars:
• Family Support – Advancing family sustainability through classes and guidance, using a goal setting and strength-based approach.
• Community Resources – Connecting people to resources that advance health equity, financial stability, networks, and community.
• Education – Opening doors to success for children and adults by providing training and high-quality instruction.
• Economic Inclusion – Driving economic stability for communities, families, and individuals by teaching new job skills, advancing careers and co-creating businesses and social enterprises with community.

Position Summary:
Focus Points Family Resource Center is looking for one (1) qualified candidate to fill our Comal BOH Specialist Lead Cook position. The Comal BOH Specialist Lead Cook will be an expert in kitchen food preparation for our lunch counter and happy hour as well be versed in ethnic cuisines (Indian, Mexican, El Salvadorian, etc.). This position is responsible for maintaining a clean, organized, and healthy kitchen for the Comal program participants in alignment with public health regulations and industry best practices. The Lead Cook will work with Focus Points Training and Business Center LLC/ FPFRC/ Comal independent contracted participants, who typically come from immigrant, refugee, low-income, and other diverse backgrounds.

Job Responsibilities:

Responsibilities & Activities
• Must have or be willing to achieve prior to start date a ServSafe Food Handler’s Certificate (we provide training and testing)
• This position requires the applicant to be physically capable of performing the following functions (but not limited to): back, leg and body motions to lift, sweep, mop, climb ladders, operate power equipment, move furniture and supplies. Able to maneuver heavy items. Intense physical activity typical to restaurant operations
• Customer service orientation: previous guest service experiences are a plus
• Provide and maintain an acceptable availability (Comal’s operational hours are Tuesday to Saturday 8am to 2pm and 2nd and 4th Saturdays 10am to 4pm, occasional nights and weekends for events and occasional late nights on Saturdays for special events.
• Able to read and follow written/oral instructions
• Able to work independently as well as in a team environment
• Must be consistently timely, punctual, and reliable
• Preparation of menu items, including cutting fruits and vegetables, salsa and sauces, meats, etc. for participants recipes each season (Comal follows a seasonal menu rotation)
• Preparation of catering items for caterings, events and festivals
• Ability to cook items on the line during service, including to go orders, dine in, catering
• Daily clean of kitchen areas when food preparation is finished, maintaining mis en place and FIFO in the kitchen prep areas, fridge and freezer
• Assist with deep clean of kitchen equipment
• Keep stores areas neat and tidy after food preparation
• Keep refrigeration and freezers organized
• Report failing equipment to Supervisor
• Report Health and Safety hazards to Supervisor
• Communicate effectively with staff and participants
• Assist with food inventory and needs to Supervisor
• Practice safe and effective methods of work, use of equipment, cleaners and tools
• Accept training to enable safe completion of duties
• Carry out other duties as may reasonably be required from time to time.
• Work closely with training staff and participants for training and daily objectives
• Interact with customers in a polite and professional manner
• Learn and practice the cleaning and sanitation policies of Comal
• Practice systems for organization
• Responsible for daily resetting of equipment with Comal FOH Specialist and Comal Lead Specialist
• Assisting in trash, recycling and composting removal at the end of shift and whenever necessary
• Delivery and physical set-up/takedown of all food service equipment (tent, burners, grill, etc.)
• Setup and service a variety of event styles – festivals, buffet, drop off caterings
• Familiarity of variety of equipment as needed for food service, i.e. electric ovens, portable grills and burners. Etc.
• Follow prescribed waste removal and recycling systems during events
• Oversee food preparation in the restaurant
• Create menu dishes and suggest new menu ideas
• Responsible for ordering ingredients and keeping kitchen well stocked
• Order equipment and manage inventory
• Coordinate food preparation, ensure ingredients and final products are fresh and follow the recipes
• Create kitchen staff schedules
• Ensure adherence to food safety and cleanliness standards
• Approve dishes before they reach the customer
• Collaborate with management for food cost management and budgeting and review food and beverage purchases
• Address customer concerns
• Oversee workstations to make sure they are equipped with supplies and tools
• Able to work independently as well as in a team environment
• Delegate cleaning and preparation tasks
• Able to move heavy items, typical to restaurant operations
• Must be consistently timely, punctual and reliable
• Oversee caterings, events and festivals
• Train and evaluate staff members

Job Requirements:

Required Competencies
• Commitment to the mission of Focus Points
• Ability to work early mornings, nights and weekends as needed- typical restaurant/special event needs
• Comfortable with delegation of restaurant operation tasks to participants and training tasks on the spot
• Thrives in a quick moving kitchen environment
• Comfortable with category flexibility
• Assistant manager, sous chef or shift leader experience is helpful, especially in fast casual environments
• Working knowledge of TOAST pos system or similar and willingness to learn TOAST quickly
• Working knowledge of the Microsoft Office Suite with proficiency with Excel and Word;
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to manage sensitive and confidential situations with tact, professionalism, and diplomacy
• Comfortable working with communities experiencing past or present trauma (trauma informed education)
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
• Demonstrated commitment to communities of color, Latinx, Immigrant, Refugee and Asylum-seeking populations
• Degree in culinary arts preferred
• Must speak and understand Spanish, multi-lingual a plus
• Several years of professional cooking experience
• Experience in all levels of kitchen positions
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Excellent multitasking skills
• Team player with strong leadership skills
• Ability to maintain high levels of food quality, consistency and hygiene
• Outstanding leadership and organizational skills
• Must be able to work in a standing position for long periods of time and be able to lift to 50 pounds
• Prior experience working in and organizing a kitchen
• High attention to detail
• Ability to anticipate and proactively address problems in a fast-paced environment
• Positive attitude
• Ability to work with a diverse group of people who may have experienced trauma

Preferred Competencies
• Some working knowledge of Social Enterprise and Non-profit work

Benefits
• Simple IRA Plan with employer 3% match (TIAA)
• Paid sick time
• Paid Sabbatical leave at 3 and 5 years of employment
Perks of this Role
• Competitive pay
• Explore new cuisines
• Exciting work area in the Rhino Art district
• Opportunities for professional growth
• Lunch provided
• Partial pay for breaks throughout the year (Summer, Fall, Winter)
• Company follows DPS for closures and delays due to inclement weather
• DEI initiatives
• Work culture teambuilding
• Fun team environment and community events

Diversity Statement
Personal or professional commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion as demonstrated by persistent effort, active planning, allocation of resources and/or accountability for diversity and inclusion outcomes. Applicant must share a commitment to anti-racist work.

Available Benefits: PTO and Paid Sick Time, 401K Retirement Plan

How Do You Apply? Email Employer