The Baker is key member of the Campus Dining Team within the Division of Administration at Vanderbilt University. The Baker is responsible for supporting the culinary leadership in a variety of functions and executing complex recipes. This position is also responsible for preparing a variety of breads, pastries, and desserts for our dining halls and cafes and completing other advanced level culinary tasks. This position will provide delegation to cook assistants in the kitchen. #VUrecruitIND
Key Functions and Expected Performance:
- Determine the day's bakery production schedule and quantity for each item to be produced.
- Oversee the production of bake shop (baker assistants)
- Monitor inventory daily and record items to be ordered.
- Measure and mix ingredients to form dough or batter, following recipes.
- Uses weights and measurements to ensure recipe accuracy.
- Responsible for recipe creation and menu innovation.
- Roll, cut, and shape dough to form rolls, pie crusts, tarts, cookies, and related products.
- Cut, peel, and prepare fruit for pie fillings.
- Place dough in pans, molds, or on sheets and bake in oven. Observe products while cooking and adjust controls.
- Mix icings and other toppings and decorate cakes, pastries, and other baked goods.
- Use a variety of kitchen tools, including electric mixers, pans, rolling pins, and cutting tools.
- Monitor baking process to identify needed adjustments.
- Follow information from production schedules and recipes and make changes when necessary.
- Handle and move ingredients, tools, and cooking pans.
- Control mixing processes and oven controls.
- Implement products by following recipes or creating new ones.
- Assist in the monthly inventory of bake shop items.
- Develop dessert recipes for special events as requested by chef/management.
- Monitor cost of baking ingredients.
- Provide on the job training to new hires and student employees.
- Complete all opening and closing checklists, complete cleaning lists.
- Follow all work rules outlined in the employee handbook
Safety and Sanitation:
- Maintain temperature logs and take temperatures of food regularly and record data as instructed by management.
- Maintain quality and sanitary standards of State and City Health Departments and Vanderbilt Campus Dining codes.
- Maintain clean and orderly work area and complete other general cleaning duties, such as mopping/sweeping floors and emptying trash cans and clean equipment.
- Report to management any safety hazards and equipment in need of repair.
- Assists in keeping the kitchen, refrigerators and storerooms sanitary and orderly by cleaning utensils, equipment, fixtures and work areas.
- Work in a team-driven environment, take direction, offer direction and assist with problem-solving.
- Greet customers entering dining location and follow FRESH customer service guidelines.
Customer Service:
Supervisory Relationships:
This position does not have supervisory, this position reports administratively and functionally to the unit's management team and chef.
Education and Certifications:
- High school diploma or GED is preferred.
Experience and Skills:
- Serve Safe Certified preferred
- Excellent customer service
- Great interpersonal skills and the ability to work in a team environment
- Minimum 1½ years' experience in the food service industry as a baker is necessary
- More than 3 years' experience in the food service industry as a baker preferred
- Must be able to understand and follow directions
- Ability to read documents
- Possess knowledge and skill in a variety of cooking techniques
- Ability to cook complex recipes
- Must be able to safely operate all kitchen equipment
- Ability to lift up to 50 lbs. and frequently lift, push, pull, or carry up to 30 lbs.
- Ability to walk or stand for extended time periods, up to 6 hours
- Involves repetitive motion
- Requires frequent lifting/transporting hot food items
- Ability to work in all unit and kitchen areas while interacting with heated equipment, steam, chemicals for cleaning, etc.