Cafe Cook

Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park promotes the enjoyment, understanding, and appreciation of gardens, sculpture, the natural environment, and the arts. Meijer Gardens is ranked among the 100 most visited art institutions in the world. The organization embraces the concept of a major cultural attraction centering around horticulture & sculpture. Meijer Gardens' commitment is to create a legacy of lifelong learning, enjoyment, and a rich cultural experience for generations to come. 

 

Department: Cafe                                    

Supervisor:  Care Sous Chef                                               

Pay Type: Hourly, Part-time

Schedule: Requires availability for a combination of daytime, evening, weekend, and holiday shifts.

 

Position Summary: The Café Cook plays a key role in the assembly, execution, and presentation of menu items at the award-winning, high-volume James & Shirley Balk Café, located in the heart of Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park. This position is responsible for delivering exceptional food quality while fostering a welcoming and engaging guest service culture. The ideal candidate will take pride in their craft, demonstrate attention to detail, and inspire a strong sense of urgency and teamwork.

• Prepare food orders in accordance with established recipes, portion standards, and presentation guidelines.
• Deliver exceptional guest experiences through friendly and professional engagement.
• Foster a positive, collaborative team culture with coworkers and volunteers.
• Report equipment malfunctions or breakages promptly to the Café Sous Chef or Lead Line Cook.
• Address disruptions to team culture in partnership with the Café Sous Chef.
• Maintain proficiency in all café line stations and provide support as needed.
• Uphold food quality, consistency, presentation, portion control, and recipe accuracy standards.
• Maintain a clean and organized workstation, including storage areas and equipment, in line with standard operating procedures.
• Follow all sanitation and food safety regulations set by the Health Department.
• Track and document food waste and interdepartmental transfers, providing mitigation strategies to the Café Sous Chef or Lead Line Cook.
• Communicate product shortages, quality issues, and guest feedback to the Café Sous Chef or Lead Line Cook.
• Assist with food production for café service and special events.
• Support product storage and organization.
• Ensure proper place for assigned line station.
• Assist with meal coordination and preparation for tour groups.
• Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor.

• Embrace Meijer Gardens’ mission to promote the enjoyment, understanding and appreciation of gardens, sculpture, the natural environment, and the arts.
• Embrace the organization’s non-profit status and commitment to serving and treating the public with dignity and working with a broad and diverse group of employees, volunteers, members, and guests in a respectful and professional manner.

Working Conditions: Basic mobility is expected in offices, grounds, and exhibition areas. Ability to observe details at close range and communicate information accurately with others. Engage in occasional object manipulation with or without assistance, and efficiently navigate the workspace to access essential resources. Ability to regularly move up to 20 pounds, and/or frequently up to 50 pounds (i.e., load, unload, and move supplies, medium to heavy weight tools, and equipment). Occasionally ascends/descends a ladder. This job operates in a professional indoor office environment, across grounds, and exhibition areas. Occasionally, may be required to work outdoors under inclement weather conditions.