Culinary Assistant at College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, MA

Job description

At Holy Cross, we are focused on creating a world-class workforce by attracting and retaining employees dedicated to fostering a culture of professionalism, pride, mutual trust, and respect—one that values appreciation and recognition, empowering each of us to flourish both individually and collectively. We seek candidates who are inspired by our mission and values, and who are eager to make a meaningful difference on our campus. Learn more about Life at Holy Cross here. At Holy Cross Dining, you are part of more than a food-service operation—you are an essential part of the student experience and the broader College community. Our culinary team plays an important role in creating a welcoming, connected, and enjoyable campus experience by providing high-quality meals and exceptional service to students, faculty, staff, and guests. As a Culinary Assistant, you will contribute to an environment where every meal and interaction is an opportunity to make someone feel welcomed, valued, and connected to the Holy Cross community. You will help prepare and serve quality food while supporting a positive dining experience through hospitality, teamwork, inclusion, and service. We are looking for team members who take pride in their work, enjoy working collaboratively, and understand that great hospitality extends beyond the food—it is about the experience we create for every member of our community. Job Description DAYS & HOURS: Holy Cross Dining staff are considered Emergency Essential Personnel and are required to report to work during times of inclement weather. Flexibility is required, and schedules may change based on departmental needs, the academic calendar, campus events, and operational requirements. CURRENT SCHEDULE: Sunday - Thursday / 12:00 PM – 8:30 PM Perform a variety of duties to support the preparation and service of meals for students, guests, and members of the College community, following established practices, methods, and food safety standards. Responsibilities include serving guests, assisting with food production, stocking and rotating products, and setting up, maintaining, and cleaning food production and service areas in accordance with established sanitation standards. This position contributes to a welcoming and positive dining experience by providing quality food and exceptional service to students and guests. Responsibilities also include safely operating a variety of food service equipment, including slicing machines, grills, fryolators, pizza ovens, stir-fry equipment, and similar tools. MAJOR AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS POSITION Prepare and cook food items to order, ensuring adherence to established standards and specifications. Follow menu and recipe guidelines precisely to maintain consistency and quality across all food items. Ensure all menu items are consistently prepared, properly portioned, of the highest quality, and served at the correct temperatures. Accurately complete temperature log book charts. Maintain a clean, safe, organized, and fully functional work area that is adequately stocked and properly rotated at all times. Safely and effectively operate food service equipment, including slicing machines, grills, fryolators, pizza ovens, stir-fry equipment, and similar equipment. Supervise on-call staff, student captains/workers, and temporary employees, providing direction and support on routine tasks to ensure smooth and efficient operations. Demonstrate flexibility and adaptability by working in various areas of the servery and dining operation as assigned by management. Provide exceptional customer service by serving guests in a friendly, professional, attentive, and welcoming manner. Contribute to a positive dining experience for students, guests, and members of the College community through quality food, hospitality, and responsive service. Assist with the setup, service, and cleanup of catered events, ensuring all operational and service standards are met. Accurately complete service