Prep Cook (Part-Time)

Departure Restaurant + Lounge, one of America's hottest Asian restaurants is currently hiring a Prep Cook (Part-Time). Floating atop the landmark Meier & Frank Building, Departure's ambitious menu captivates diners with its' masterful remix of authentic coastal cuisines. From street food-styled starters to meal-sized classics, rice and noodle specialties to market-fresh sushi, Departure embraces the bounty of the Pacific Northwest and uses the freshest ingredients to deliver the fiery flavors of the Far East.

As part of Sage Restaurant Concept, we focus on building "independent" restaurants and lounges bordering our hotels in prime locations. We connect with the people that live and work in the communities we serve by providing highly designed, innovative, locally-focused food and beverage experiences. Surrounded by farms, forests and the ocean, Portland is one of America’s booming food cities with year round Farmers’ markets and artisans creating and making some of the most delicious goods in America.

Prepare food items in accordance with production requirements and quality standards while maintaining a safe sanitary work environment.

• Complete opening and closing checklists.
• Refer to Daily Prep List at the start of each shift for assigned duties.
• Prepares a variety of meats, seafood, poultry, vegetables and other food items for cooking in broilers, ovens, grills, fryers and a variety of other kitchen equipment.
• Understands and complies consistently with our standard portion sizes, cooking methods, quality standards and kitchen rules, policies and procedures.
• Portions food products prior to cooking according to standard portion sizes and recipe specifications.
• Maintains a clean and sanitary work station area including tables, shelves, walls grills, broilers, fryers, pasta cookers, sauté burners, convection oven, flat top range and refrigeration equipment.
• Closes the kitchen properly and follows the closing checklist for kitchen stations. Assists others in closing the kitchen.
• Attends all scheduled employee meetings and brings suggestions for improvement.
• Promptly reports equipment and food quality problems to chef on duty
• Inform chef on duty immediately of product shortages.
• Uses our Standard Recipe Card for preparing all products. Do not rely on the memory of yourself or other employees.
• Performs other related duties as assigned by the chef or manager-on-duty.
• Return all food items not used on next shift to designed storage areas, being sure to cover/date all perishables.
• Date all food containers and rotate as per the BOH General Operating Procedures and Inventory SOPs, making sure that all perishables are kept at proper temperatures.
• Answer, report and follow executive or sous chef’s instructions
• Clean up station and take care of leftover food
• Comply with nutrition and sanitation regulations and safety standards
• Report any safety issues to the chef on duty
• Maintain a positive and professional approach with coworkers and customers

Education/Formal Training

High school education or equivalent experience.

Experience

Minimum one-year food service or related work.

Knowledge/Skills

• Requires an ability to work as a team member and an ability to communicate with kitchen staff.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an associate to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Lifting, pushing, pulling and carrying: All of these functions are essential primarily because of the heavy production associated with Banquets. Items include food, small equipment -75% of the time.
• Bending of the knees does become necessary when using the lower oven for cooking, 5-10 times a day.
• Mobility -full range of mobility and the ability to travel 30-50 feet on a regular basis throughout the day.
• Continuous standing -during preparation, during service hours or during expediting, usually all day.
• Must have moderate hearing to hear equipment timers and communicate with other staff.
• Must have excellent vision to see that product is prepared appropriately.
• Must have moderate comprehension and literacy to read use records and all special requests.
• Lifting, pushing, pulling and carrying. Position regularly involves lifting food cases and metros weighing up to 70 lbs.  Pushing and pulling carts is required.
• Bending/kneeling:  Regular bending to lift items and supplies. Periodic kneeling.
• Mobility:  Regularly moves all around kitchen.
• Continuous standing:  To complete a task, may be stationary for short periods of time.
• Periodic climbing required.

Environment

Inside 100% of 8 hour shift. Going in the freezer temperatures can be -10 degrees. On the front line, temperatures can be over 100 degrees.

Departure is certified Gold for Sustainability at Work. As one of Oregon’s Healthiest Employers, the Nines offers perks that are comparable to progressive employers.

• Medical, Dental, Vision and more to all full-time associates.
• All associates can enjoy our complimentary cafeteria.
• 401k matching for all our associates.
• Hotel discounts at marriott.com.
• Many other perks, benefits & discounts for all our associates!
• Save on your parking and public transportation costs by using our pre-tax savings account.
• Our location is right next to the center of all MAX lines and close to the Portland Streetcar, a prime location for driving, taking public transportation, biking, or even walking to work.
• $50 TriMet monthly subsidy!

Bold. Bright. Caring. Energetic. Driven. Strategic. Daring. To deliver the type of outstanding experience we aim to provide our guests, we need remarkable individuals who are passionate and committed to making a difference. If this sounds like you, then explore the career positions at Sage Restaurant Group that await you.