Lead Cook

Job no:

R-0000002944

Position Title:

Lead Cook

Faculty or Staff:

Staff

Full Time or Part Time:

Full time

In-Person, Hybrid, or Remote:

In-Person

Minimum Starting Rate of Pay:

$30.40

Rate of pay commensurate with experience

Start Date:

02/16/2026

Job Description:

Mount Holyoke College’s Willits Hallowell Catering Department offers a diverse range of cuisines designed to meet the dietary needs and preferences of our guests, faculty, and staff. The Catering menu offers a wide selection of delicious foods with a focus on fresh local ingredients and creative execution. Willits Hallowell Catering kitchen offers everything from plated dinners at the President’s house, to buffets, luncheons, and coffee breaks. The culinary team is dedicated to preparing nutritious and delicious meals while ensuring safety, sanitation, and food quality. Their goal is to create an inclusive dining environment where the Mount Holyoke community can enjoy healthy, satisfying food in a welcoming atmosphere.

As a Lead Cook, you will work under the supervision of the Chef Manager, Sous Chef, Executive Chef, and Associate Director of Culinary Operations. Your primary responsibilities will include food preparation, ensuring proper food safety and sanitation, and following all receiving and storage procedures in compliance with departmental and Board of Health (BOH) regulations. As an essential member of the culinary team, you will assist with general food preparation, maintain a clean and organized kitchen, and support the department’s mission to provide an exceptional dining experience for all of our clients.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Prepare food using various cooking methods such as boiling, roasting, sautéing, steaming, baking, frying, and grilling to ensure meals are cooked correctly and to the desired level of doneness.

• Carve and slice meats, and cook food items to order, adhering to customer preferences and dietary restrictions.

• Ensure all food labels include accurate allergen information and ingredients to avoid health risks to customers.

• Follow standardized recipes to maintain consistency in food preparation, and properly season and garnish food for service.

• Batch cook to ensure freshly prepared, well-presented food while minimizing waste.

• Adhere to proper procedures for receiving, placing, and storing orders, ensuring correct temperature control, expiration date checks, and FIFO inventory management

Minimum Qualifications:

• A minimum of 3 years experience preparing food in quantity in another college or a high-volume quality restaurant, or Catering Kitchen.

• The candidate must have good communication skills, both written and oral, and a sound understanding of the English language. Basic computer skills are desirable.

• Must be able to pass a physical examination without restrictions.

• Must be able to clear a background check

• ServSafe certified or willing to take and pass the ServSafe course.

• Must be certified in allergen training.

• Customer Service: Maintains an extraordinarily positive attitude toward others, especially when dealing with students and the public.

*This is a 40 hours per week, 52-weeks per year position.

With a schedule that will change as needed to accommodate the Catering needs.

Apply online; application materials must include:

• A cover letter summarizing interests and qualifications

• A complete resume 

Dining Video

Background Checks:

Mount Holyoke College is committed to providing a safe and secure environment, supported by qualified employees that will allow all of its students, faculty, staff and those associated with them to successfully carry out the mission of the college. As a condition of employment, the College will conduct appropriate background checks for all new hires. Mount Holyoke has designated the Office of Human Resources as the office responsible for ensuring that background checks (CORI, SORI, Credit History, & Driver Credential) are completed and utilized in the hiring process and Five College Office of Compliance and Risk Management as the office responsible for facilitating background checks as articulated in this policy.

Special Instructions for Applicants: 

Apply online; application materials must include:

• A cover letter summarizing interests and qualifications

• A complete resume or curriculum vitae

• For faculty positions, statements on mentoring, teaching, and research will also be required.

​It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment.