Cook County Juvenile Center Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Cook - Share Comfort and Care Through Every Meal

Cook with Compassion in a Structured Setting

Do you love preparing meals that make people feel at home? Are you looking for meaningful work where your skills truly make a difference? Join our team as a Cook in a secure juvenile corrections facility, where you'll help bring comfort, nourishment, and stability to those in your care-one plate at a time.

What You'll Be Doing:

• Preparing and cooking meals based on set menus and dietary guidelines
• Following batch-cooking practices to ensure quality, freshness, and timing
• Ensuring food is served safely-with correct portions, temperatures, and presentation
• Keeping kitchen and prep areas clean, organized, and fully stocked
• Logging food temperatures and completing required records and checklists
• Assisting with food orders and deliveries
• Following all sanitation, food safety, and company procedures
• Supporting a respectful and routine-focused kitchen environment

Why This Job Matters:

• Your meals help provide structure, health, and a sense of normalcy every day
• You'll be part of a team dedicated to compassionate, professional care
• We provide training and support to help you succeed and grow
• Every dish you prepare helps someone feel valued and cared for

We're Looking For People Who Are:

• Reliable, friendly, and eager to be part of a team
• Focused on quality, safety, and cleanliness
• Comfortable working in a structured, routine-based setting
• Willing to learn and follow clear procedures and standards
• Passionate about using their skills to make a positive impact

Who We Are:

At Whitsons Culinary Group, we believe every meal is a chance to provide more than just nourishment. In our residential dining programs, food brings dignity, care, and comfort. We take pride in creating welcoming kitchen environments that support routine, healing, and respect for all.

Why You'll Love Working With Us:

• Consistent schedule - no late nights or major holidays
• Health, dental, and vision benefits
• 401(k) with company match
• Opportunities to learn, grow, and build your culinary career
• A supportive, mission-driven team that values your work

Apply today and help us live our mission: Enhancing Life One Meal at a Time.

Payrate: $20/hr

Education:

• High school graduate or equivalent.
• Must complete all Whitsons and government required training as necessary

Certifications:

• ServSafe certification
• Local food safety certification, if required in jurisdiction of employment.

Other Qualifications, Experience and Competencies:

• Ability to speak and read English in order to understand and perform job assignments.

• Must be proficient in recipe procedures and cooking techniques.
• 1 year professional culinary experience required
• Always present a positive and professional image.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF THE JOB:

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. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the team member is frequently required:
• To stand, walk, talk and hear; use hands and fingers to feel, handle, or operate objects, tools and controls; and reach with hands and arms.
• The employee is frequently required to lift and move up to 40 lbs
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include being able to see in dim lit areas such as walk-ins and storage areas.
• Position may require extended hours including evenings and/or weekends, possible travel to other work sites.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The work is performed primarily in kitchen and storage setting The noise level in the work environment is moderate to loud.

The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work and duties that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position, and the Company reserves the right to add additional duties or modify existing duties.

The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the Company and employee and is subject to change by the Company as the needs of the Company and requirements of the job change.