First Cook

Title: First Cook

State Role Title: Food Services Technician II

Hiring Range: $40,000 annually

Pay Band: 2

Agency: Virginia Museum of Fine Arts

Location: MAIN MUSEUM

Agency Website: vmfa.museum

Recruitment Type: Agency Employee Only – A

Job Duties

At the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (VMFA), we create unique experiences.

Amuse Restaurant is a contemporary fine dining restaurant overlooking the Robins Sculpture Garden, featuring an innovative menu and fresh, local ingredients. Just like the works of art in the museum and on the walls of Amuse, visitors delight in new masterpiece dishes and cocktails.

When dining at Amuse, every aspect of the meal is a touchpoint, a foundational pinning, evoking the right ambiance, feeling and desired energy. Our dedicated service professionals bear witness and make possible some of the best days ever for our guests.

“…people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” – Maya Angelou

We welcome applications from skilled service professionals who are team-centric and highly motivated to take on the role of a First Cook.
This salaried, non-exempt position offers Commonwealth of Virginia employee benefits such as 12 paid holidays, a comprehensive benefits package to include health benefits, and more.

Why Join the Amuse Team?

Inclusive Workplace
We are proud of our diverse workforce and vibrant art-filled surroundings. We value your strengths and experiences. Come be yourself!

Flexible Scheduling
The team works to provide reasonable and advanced-scheduling notice to staff within the agreed upon availability. We are open 365 days a year, therefore there are variety of shifts to work. We are open for lunch service 7 days a week, and offer dinner service on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

Team-centric
Work with people whose talents shine not only at work but also beyond work hours. Many of our staff are creatives who find an ease in serving others, have an eye for the details, and enjoy the flexibility this position offers.

Mission-Driven
Revenue from Amuse and other Enterprise operations directly supports museum operations. VMFA is the only art museum in the United States open 365 days a year with free general admission. Our purpose is to collect, preserve, exhibit, and interpret art and to encourage the study of the arts.

Professional Environment
Professionalism is a key tenet in our workplace. We treat each other no less than how we treat our guests. Come create career-supportive relationships with some of the best service professionals in the industry. Learn and grow with us.

Perks
All VMFA staff enjoy free admission to special exhibitions, previews of special exhibitions, employee pricing for select museum programs and classes, and discounts at Amuse, Best Café and the VMFA Shop.

About the Work
The work is straightforward, working together to offer an elevated dining experience.

Here is how the First Cook accomplishes this as part of a team:

● Supervises line cooks in Amuse Restaurant and assists in overseeing daily operations as managerial shift coverage when management is off, or alongside management when needed.
● Assists Executive Chef and Sous Chefs with smooth execution of all culinary activities to include menu planning and food preparation.
● Assists Executive Chef and Sous Chefs in supervising staff and maintaining a safe, clean working environment.
● Supports an environment of teamwork and cooperation among staff, advocating empowerment, innovation, and creativity.
● Ensures quality and completion of work for daily operations, including upholding a high standard of production.

Minimum Qualifications

• Ability to read, write and comprehend directions and instructions; ability to add, subtract and figure percentages; computer literacy at a minimum level
• Ability to solve practical problems, multi-task and make sound decisions in an ever-changing event landscape
• Ability to function efficiently, professionally and graciously in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment
• Ability to bend, lift, handle, feel; reach with hands and arms, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, talk and hear; taste and smell
• Ability to stand or walk for up to 10 hours; ability to life or move up to 50 pounds
• Embraces and understands diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace
• Demonstrates full knowledge of principles and best practices in foodservice operation.
• Knowledge of all kitchen stations, to include hot line and cold line. Able to provide support to management.
• Ability to implement and enforce departmental policies as needed.
• Demonstrable knowledge of kitchen sanitation and safety regulations.
• Possesses thorough experience and/or education, excellent cooking and kitchen production skills.
• Has achieved a level of education (high school diploma or equivalent) or equivalent experience, which allows for the establishment of ongoing working relationships with museum patrons, staff and customers.

Additional Considerations

• Previous management and/or supervisory experience in a fine dining kitchen setting
• ServSafe certification

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

Selected candidates must pass a criminal history background check.

Agency Employee Benefits

Agency employees enjoy benefits such as free admission to special exhibitions, previews of special exhibitions, employee pricing for select museum programs and classes, as well as discounts in Amuse Restaurant, Best Café and VMFA shop.

Diversity and Inclusivity at VMFA

Diverse and inclusive hiring practices are at the heart of what we do at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. As an extension of the museum’s mission to enrich the lives of all, we are passionately committed to opening the museum’s doors to people from all backgrounds, including all races, ethnicities, genders, and abilities.

Special Instructions for Applicants:

Please submit three (3) references. Provide full name, phone number and email address. References may be attached in a separate document in the “other” field in the portal; or they may be included with the resume or cover letter.

Professional references are preferred. Other reference types will also receive consideration. References should be able to attest to your knowledge, skills, and abilities, especially qualifications relevant to the position for which you are applying.

Interested individuals must submit an online application. This posting is open until filled.  Posting may close after five business days.  Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply before 11:55pm on July 28th, 2024.

Please contact the HR office at recruitment@vmfa.museum if you need assistance.

VMFA is an EEO/AA and Virginia Values Veterans (V3) Certified Employer. Diverse and inclusive hiring practices are at the heart of what we do at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts.

Contact Information

Name: Human Resources Services

Phone: please email

Email: recruitment@vmfa.museum

 

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.