Cook Museum Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

About Virginia Museum of Fine Arts: 

The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond is one of the largest comprehensive art museums in the United States. VMFA's growing encyclopedic collection houses more than 50,000 works of art spanning 6,000 years of world history.  

Our holdings include the largest public collection of Faberge outside of Russia, the finest collection of Art Nouveau outside of Paris and one of the nation's finest collections of American art. VMFA is also home to important collections of Chinese art, English silver, French Impressionism, Postimpressionism, British sporting art, and modern and contemporary art, as well as renowned South Asian, Himalayan, and African art. 

Recently named the 11th-best art museum in the United States by The Washington Post, VMFA is the only US art museum open 365 days a year with free general admission. 

VMFA is a state-supported, privately endowed educational institution created for the benefit of the citizens of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Its purpose is to collect, preserve, exhibit, and interpret art, to encourage the study of the arts, and thus to enrich the lives of all. 

About Food Services Department: 

At the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (VMFA), we create unique dining experiences. 

Amuse Restaurant is a contemporary fine dining restaurant overlooking the Robins Sculpture Garden, featuring an innovative menu and fresh, local ingredients. Just like the works of art in the museum and on the walls of Amuse, visitors delight in new masterpiece dishes and cocktails. 

When dining at Amuse, every aspect of the meal is a touchpoint, a foundational pinning, evoking the right ambiance, feeling, and desired energy. Our dedicated service professionals bear witness and make possible some of the best days ever for our guests 

"...people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." - Maya Angelou 
 

Why Join the Amuse Team? 

Flexible Scheduling 

The team works to provide reasonable and advanced-scheduling notice to staff within the agreed upon availability. We are open 365 days a year, therefore there are a variety of shifts to work. Amuse is open for daytime service 7 days a week and offers dinner service on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. 

Team-centric 

Work with people whose talents shine not only at work but also beyond work hours. Many of our staff are creatives who find an ease in serving others, have an eye for the details, and enjoy the flexibility this position offers. 

Mission-Driven 

Revenue from Amuse and other Enterprise operations directly supports museum operations. VMFA is the only art museum in the United States open 365 days a year with free general admission. Our purpose is to collect, preserve, exhibit, and interpret art and to encourage the study of the arts. 

Professional Environment 

Professionalism is a key tenet in our workplace. We treat each other no less than how we treat our guests. Come create career-supportive relationships with some of the best service professionals in the industry. Learn and grow with us. 

Perks 

All VMFA staff enjoy free admission to special exhibitions, previews of special exhibitions, employee pricing for select museum programs and classes, and discounts at Amuse, Floris, Best Cafe and the VMFA Shop. 

General Information: 

We are currently seeking applications for skilled service professionals who are team-centric and positively energetic individuals to join our Food Services Department as a Line Cook.  

The Line Cook assists the kitchen management of Amuse at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. Reporting to the Amuse Executive Chef, this position prepares food to the chef's specifications as well as assisting kitchen staff with daily operations.  

Here is how the Line Cook accomplishes this as part of a team: 

Prepare food to the executive chef's specifications as well as assisting kitchen staff with daily tasks 

Working independently to help support Amuse kitchen team with prep and line cook duties, as instructed by the chefs 

Cooking menu items in cooperation with the rest of the kitchen staff as well as making sure menu items are served in a timely manner 

Supporting chefs and kitchen staff with projects, inventories, deliveries, kitchen maintenance and cleanings 

Working to maintain a clean, sanitary and safe working environment 

Reporting accidents, issues or policy violations to kitchen leadership 

Supporting the museum's commitment to provide quality customer service and quality products to our visitors and guests 

Flexibility to move from working on Amuse menu preparations to helping prepare other foods or undertaking other kitchen tasks, as needed 

Helping prepare foods for Best Cafe, Special Events and Floris when directed 
 

Minimum Qualifications: 

Food service experience in BOH/kitchen 

Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions and comprehend complex recipes 

Strong communication skills (written/reading/verbal); ability to take feedback well 

Ability to use weights, measures and comprehend recipes 

Knowledge of basic knife skills, chopping, and sauteing, grilling and food prep. 

Understanding of various cooking methods, ingredients, equipment and procedures. 

Ability to handle fast paced, high volume situations in a kitchen 

Ability to independently solve routine problems 

Flexible availability that includes weekends, evenings and holidays 

Ability to work as part of a team; flexible when given different assignments and directions 

Ability to lift or move up to 50 lbs; stand or walk up to 10 hours 

Ability to bend, point, stand, twist, climb, and have dexterity of fingers 

Motivated with strong work ethic; self-starter 

Knowledgeable with safety protocols and cleaning techniques. 

Ability to maintain a professional demeanor and appearance.  

Ability to receive and follow scheduling via computerized software. 

Additional Considerations: 

Has familiarity with a wide range of global cuisine and embraces creating multicultural offerings 

Experience with seasonal menus and farm to table ethos 

Experience working with professional kitchen equipment 

Prior line or prep cook experience in a fast-paced, fine dining setting 

ServSafe Food Handler Certification or equivalent 

Knowledge and experience with menu preparation and implementation 

Culinary degree 

Pastry experience 

Special Instructions: 

Selected candidates must pass a criminal history background check. 

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or resume is submitted successfully. Please refer to "Your Application" in your account to check the status of your application for this position. 

All applicants must submit an online application. This position will close at 11:55 pm on the designated closing date listed at the top of this posting on Jobs.Virginia.gov. 
VMFA is a Virginia Values Veterans (V3) Certified Employer. Diverse and inclusive hiring practices are at the heart of what we do at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. 

Contact Information 

Name: HR Services 

Phone: For the most up-to-date status of your application, please refer to your Jobs.Virginia.Gov account. We do not provide application status updates via phone. 

Email: recruitment@vmfa.museum for recruitment related questions. 

Emailed applications, resumes, or cover letters will not be accepted. For the most up-to-date status of your application, please refer to your Jobs.Virginia.Gov account. 

Conditions of Employment: 

Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background check. 
E-Verify Notice: After accepting employment, new hires are required to complete an I-9 form and present documentation of their identity and eligibility to work in the United States. Virginia Museum of Fine Arts uses the E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization.