Second Cook - $20 to $22 per HOUR
Posted on October 24, 2025
HMSHost is a globally recognized leader in providing dining experiences at travel venues such as airports, highways, and other locations. Renowned for its commitment to excellence and innovation, HMSHost offers a wide range of food and beverage services designed to cater to diverse customer needs in fast-paced environments. The company prides itself on cultivating a dynamic and inclusive workplace culture where employees can thrive and advance their careers. With a presence in numerous airports across the United States and internationally, HMSHost is dedicated to delivering high-quality dining options while maintaining exceptional service standards. Employees at HMSHost benefit from comprehensive training programs and exciting career growth opportunities that help them develop both personally and professionally.
The position of Second Cook at HMSHost, located at Salt Lake Airport's food and beverage area, is a critical role within the kitchen team. This non-exempt role reports to management figures such as the Manager, Assistant Manager, or Operations Director, depending on the specific site. The Second Cook is integral to food production, preparation, and presentation, ensuring that every food item served meets strict quality and safety standards. This role requires a versatile culinary professional who can rotate through various food stations, mastering the preparation of diverse menu items including soups, meats, vegetables, and desserts. The ideal candidate will possess at least 2-3 years of culinary experience in high-volume, casual dining settings and demonstrate intermediate knowledge of food preparation techniques, including handling organic and specialty ingredients. The position demands skillful execution of recipes, adherence to recipe directions, food safety and sanitation compliance based on HACCP standards, and the ability to communicate effectively with both customers and team members. 
In addition to culinary skills, the Second Cook must be capable of operating various kitchen appliances such as grills, fryers, slicers, and ovens. The role involves routine tasks like tasting products, estimating food requirements, inventory management, and ensuring freshness and quality control of food products daily. A strong focus on teamwork and coordination with other cooks is essential to maintain smooth kitchen operations. The safety and sanitation responsibilities extend to cleaning and sanitizing workstations and monitoring product temperatures to comply with all healthcare, regulatory, and airport authority policies. The job requires physical stamina, including the ability to lift up to 40 pounds, stand for extended periods, and work under the pressure of a fast-paced environment. Notably, HMSHost offers this role with a competitive pay range of $20.00 to $21.50 per hour, alongside an attractive benefits package that supports health, financial security, career advancement, and employee well-being.
                - Requires 2-3 years of closely related culinary experience
 - Requires intermediate level food knowledge pertaining to soups, sauces and pantry
 - Must have proficient knife cutting skills
 - Must have full knowledge of dry and moist cooking principles
 - Requires food preparation skills and knowledge of HACCP standards
 - Requires working knowledge of kitchen equipment including grill, fryer, slicers and ovens
 - Must have proficient skills in handling organic and specialty ingredients and quality control
 - Must be able to adapt to changes in new menu items and cooking techniques
 - Must have the ability to work in a fast-paced environment
 - Must have the ability to complete multiple tasks under time constraints
 - Must have working knowledge of weights, measures and various cooking techniques
 - Must have good communication and customer service skills
 - Requires the ability to speak, read and comprehend instructions, short correspondence and policy documents and converse professionally
 - Requires working knowledge of restaurant control systems such as prep chart, pull charts, and basic recipe conversions
 - Must maintain a professional appearance and demeanor
 - Requires the ability to lift and move 40 lbs
 - Requires the ability to bend, twist and stand for extended periods
 - Frequently immerses hands in water and water diluted with chemical solutions
 - Frequently works in hot environment