Food Service Cook

Love working in a fast-paced kitchen? Bring your culinary skills to the SSA Group at Monterey Bay Aquarium, where you'll prepare delicious meals for visitors while working in a dynamic, mission-driven environment.

Who You Are:

• You have experience in a fast-paced kitchen, ideally in quick service.

• You enjoy working on your feet and handling physical tasks.

• You are dependable and have reliable transportation.

• You’re passionate about food and delivering great customer experiences.

Who We Are:

• The SSA Group at Monterey Bay Aquarium is a leader in conservation, education, and community engagement.

• We offer visitors a unique experience through events, educational programs, and food services.

• Our team is dedicated to providing top-tier hospitality while supporting global wildlife conservation.

What You Will Do Each Day:

• Prepare and cook meals following established recipes and safety protocols.

• Maintain cleanliness and organization in the kitchen.

• Assist with inventory management and restocking supplies.

• Collaborate with a team to ensure high-quality service.

Why You'll Love Working Here:

• Competitive pay: $20 per hour

• 401(k) with matching, profit-sharing, and healthcare allowance

• Vacation and holiday time off

• Be part of an organization that values conservation, education, and sustainability.

Responsibilities

• Perform the steps of SSA EXTRA Guest Service to ensure a memorable experience for every guest and client

• Support restaurant prep (BOH and line) for daily operations

• Meet daily quick service, food service, safety, quality, availability, merchandising, and guest service standards

• Ensure proper food quantities are set for daily and ongoing service

• Participate in safety logs including food temperatures, rotation, and waste as necessary

• Maintain safe food handling practices at all times

• Ensure proper uniform, hygiene, hand-washing, and glove use

• Maintain a SSAfe work environment by following all SSAFETY rules

• Follow daily prep and task lists as assigned

• Support operations in assigned roles and assist where needed

• Respond efficiently to guest feedback and report concerns to supervisors

• Communicate any service or quality issues to the Restaurant Supervisor or Food Operations Manager

• Remain knowledgeable of all menu items, pricing, and specials

• Assist with dishwashing as needed

• Maintain a clean, safe, and organized work environment

• Uphold company policies and procedures

• Perform additional duties as assigned

Requirements

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills

• Strong problem-solving and organizational abilities

• Ability to remain flexible in a fast-paced environment

• Team player with a personable, professional, upbeat, and energetic attitude

• Takes initiative and supports team operations

• Ability to stand for extended periods and lift/move boxes (10–35 lbs)

• Ability to work varied hours including nights, weekends, and holidays

Previous Experience

• Food handling license preferred

• 1–2 years of food preparation experience preferred
  

Next Steps: Ready to be part of an exciting, mission-driven team? Apply now.