Prep Cooks and Line Cooks Needed.

El Encanto Restaurants is hiring a prep cook to join our team! We are a family run restaurant who treats all of its employees like family! This position starts at $17.00 - $19.00 an hour. We offer benefits for full time employees and incentives like company parties, meal discounts, growth opportunities and major holidays off!

JOB DESCRIPTION SUMMARY

The Prep Cook at El Encanto is responsible for managing the preparation of a variety of food products including meats, seafood, poultry, vegetables, sauces, stocks, tacos, enchiladas, tamales, and other food products using a variety of equipment and utensils according to the Daily Prep List.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

Promote, work, and act in a manner consistent with the El Encanto Mission Statement and Core Values.

Always arrive at least 5 minutes before your scheduled time and in a clean uniform

Immediately ask the Kitchen Manager or manager-on-duty about menu specials and any other product, menu issues you should be aware of.

Refer to Daily Prep List at the start of each shift for assigned duties.

Understand and comply with standard portion sizes, cooking methods, quality standards, and kitchen rules, policies, and procedures.

Clean and sanitize work station area including tables, shelves, walls grills, broilers, fryers, pasta cookers, saut burners, convection oven, flat top range and refrigeration equipment.

Store food in designated containers and storage areas to prevent spoilage.

Prepare a variety of foods, such as meats, vegetables, or desserts, according to customers' orders or supervisors' instructions, following approved procedures in broilers, ovens, grills, fryers and a variety of other kitchen equipment.

Take and record temperature of food and food storage areas, such as refrigerators and freezers.

Wash, peel, and cut various foods, such as fruits and vegetables, to prepare for cooking or serving.

Place food trays over food warmers for immediate service, or store them in refrigerated storage cabinets.

Portion according to standard portion sizes and recipe specifications and wrap the food, or place it directly on plates for service to guests.

Weigh or measure ingredients.

Mix ingredients for green salads, molded fruit salads, vegetable salads, and pasta salads.

Receive and store food supplies, equipment, and utensils in refrigerators, cupboards, and other storage areas.

Remove trash and clean kitchen garbage containers.

Assist cooks and kitchen staff with various tasks as needed, and provide cooks with needed items.

Carry food supplies, equipment, and utensils to and from storage and work areas.

Use manual or electric appliances to clean, peel, slice, and trim foods.

Promptly inform supervisors when equipment is not working properly and when food and supplies are getting low, and order needed items.

Make special dressings and sauces as condiments for sandwiches.

Stir and strain soups and sauces.

Uses the Standard Recipe Card for preparing all products; does not rely on the memory of oneself or others.

Complete opening and closing checklists and assists others in opening and closing the kitchen.

Attend all scheduled employee meetings and offers suggestions for improvement.

Coordinate with and assist fellow employees to meet guests' needs and support the operation of the restaurant.

Fill-in for fellow employees where needed to ensure guest service standards and efficient operations

QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE JOB

Efficiency and speed: A good Prep Cook must work quickly and efficiently so that our speed of service objectives are met while preparing food that meets our high standards of quality and plate presentation.

Organization: Since speed of execution is so important, so is maintaining an organized work area. A good Prep Cook has the right tools and equipment ready when needed

Focus on quality, pride in work: A Prep Cook's work is placed directly in front of our guests. The type of job performed by our Prep Cooks influences our guests' entire experience. Good Prep Cooks take great pride in serving great food and follow our high standards of quality and consistency on every product that leaves their station.

Always a Team Player: A good Prep Cook is always aware of what's happening on the Prep and in the kitchen and is ready and willing to help others get the job done.

REQUIRED/NECESSARY SKILLS

Ability to lift 20 lbs or more.

Willing to stand or walk for extended periods.

Availability to work evenings and on weekends, including holidays.

Physical Strength required to include significant bending, carrying, reaching, lifting

Tools & Technology

o Commercial use:

o blenders, choppers, cubers, dicers, grinders, processors, and/or slicers

o broilers, deep fryers, griddles, grills, microwave ovens, ovens, pizza ovens, ranges, rotisseries, steamers, and/or toasters

or cutlery

o dishwashers

o food warmers

o Measuring cups

or mixers

or scales

or woks

o Ice dispensers

o Personal computers

o Point of sale terminal

o Roasting machinery

El Encanto is hiring Line Cooks - The Line Cook prepares El Encanto's authentic Mexican cuisine following all quality standards in a fast- paced kitchen.

Creating an exceptional culinary experience for our guests is what our kitchen team is passionate about!

Do you share this passion? If yes, then we want you on our team!

Pay range for this position $19.00 - $23.00 depending on skills and experience.

About Us

The original El Encanto Restaurant and Cantina opened in 1989 in the center of Cave Creek, Arizona. Its success allowed us to expand the Sights, Sounds and Tastes of Mexico to two additional locations and we're GROWING! We are well known for our authentic Mexican cuisine and enchanting old-world Mexican settings. All of the Mexican cuisine at El Encanto is authentic and handmade, from the freshest ingredients, and is considered by many to be the best Mexican food in the Valley.

Our incredible El Encanto family creates generations of memories from a family-oriented environment with an amazing culture and offers great growth opportunities.

We offer a great benefits package with fun and reliable collaboration that is enjoyed throughout the year!

Paid Vacation time for all full-time staff

401k, Health insurance, including dental and vision.

Structured development training programs for you to grow with us!

Closed on most major holidays: Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's Day, Superbowl Sunday

Two Annual Staff parties: Christmas and an end of season Staff Appreciation Party

Extensive Bonus Program:

Employee of the Month bonuses

Employee of the Year award with bonuses

Health inspection bonuses

Safety, Accident-Free bonuses

Bonus program for salaried and full-time kitchen personnel

Meal Comps and discounts:

Free meals for kitchen staff on shifts

House accounts for salaried managers

50% off for all employee meals

Family discounts for food in restaurants

RESPONSIBILITIES

Promote, work, and act in a manner consistent with the El Encanto Mission Statement and Core Values.

Ask the Kitchen Manager or manager-on-duty about menu specials and any other product, menu issues you should be aware of.

Maintain a clean and sanitary workstation at all times.

Prepare items for broiling, grilling, frying, sauteing, or other cooking methods by portioning, battering, breading, seasoning, and/or marinating.

Know and comply consistently with El Encanto's standard portion sizes, cooking methods, quality standards, and kitchen rules, policies, and procedures.

Stock and maintain sufficient levels of food products at line stations to assure a smooth service period.

Check thermostat settings of grills, ovens, fryers, and other kitchen equipment and adjust if necessary.

Follow recipe instructions to specifications - ensure the quality, portion size, cooking time, and consistency of every item that leaves your station.

Follow proper plate presentation and garnish set up for all dishes.

Perform prep work during slow periods.

Ensure that all cooking equipment used is operating correctly and at the proper temperature.

Report any broken or malfunctioning equipment to the Kitchen Manager or manager-on-duty.

ALWAYS follow safe food handling practices.

Use our product labeling system to label, date, rotate and store all food products.

Close and open kitchen properly following kitchen checklists for stations. Assists others in closing the kitchen.

Performs other related duties as assigned by the Kitchen Manager or manager-on-duty.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Efficiency and speed: The Line Cook must work quickly and efficiently so that our speed of service objectives is met while preparing food that meets our high standards of quality and plate presentation.

Organization: Since the speed of execution is so important so is maintaining an organized work area. The Line Cook keeps a sufficient level of product ready in the right storage areas and has equipment ready when needed.

Ability to perform well in a fast-paced work environment: Must be able to think quickly on his/her feet with multiple activities going on at once.

Focus on quality, pride in work: The Line Cook's work is placed directly in front of our guests. The type of job performed by our Line Cooks influences our guests' entire experience.

Always a Team Player: The Line Cook is always aware of what's happening on the line and in the kitchen and is ready and willing to help others get the job done.

Equipment Use:

Blenders, grinders, slicers

Broilers, convection ovens, deep fryers, griddles, grills, microwave ovens, ranges, rotisseries, steamers

Cutlery (boning knives, chefs' knives, paring knives)

Domestic knives (filet knives, utility knives)

Ovens

Cutting machinery

Food safety labeling systems

Point of sale terminal