Cook
Company : Catholic Health Initiatives
Location : Detroit Lakes, MN, 56501
Job Type : Full Time / Part Time
Date Posted : 15 January 2026
Job Summary and Responsibilities
Responsible for preparation, quality and food safety of meals for our customers, including residents, patients, employees, and visitors.
- Handles and prepares food in accordance with food safety regulations.
- Plans the cooking and baking schedule to ensure food will be ready at specified times but not too far in advance.
- Uses and adjusts standardized recipes and adheres to therapeutic and consistency diet guidelines.
- Acts as charge person in the kitchen in the absence of a supervisor.
- Participates in department communication and teamwork.
- Prepares proper amounts of food and assures good quality of final product.
- Maintains cleanliness and sanitization standards.
Job Requirements
Must be 16 years of age or older
Good Written and Verbal communication skills
Ability to work independently
Good time management skills
Basic computer skills preferred but will train
Ability to maintain a positive attitude with others
Ability to read and adjust recipes
Where You'll WorkCHI St. Francis Health is a ministry serving the head of the Red River basin, located in Breckenridge Minnesota, founded by the Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls in 1899. St. Francis is an organization that provides a full continuum of health care services. We promote health, healing and community through works of care and compassion. We are committed to a holistic healing ministry and a quality management philosophy using the St. Francis Core Values for its foundation. Our team members and medical staff take pride in providing innovative and high-quality service in a healing environment. St. Francis Health is a part of CommonSpirit Health, a national health care ministry that shares the following mission, vision, and values.
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Frequently asked questions
Detroit Lakes has a moderate demand for cooks, with local eateries and healthcare facilities actively seeking reliable kitchen staff. The competition is balanced, making it a good opportunity for candidates with food safety knowledge and time management skills to secure a cook position.
While formal certifications aren't always mandatory in Detroit Lakes healthcare kitchens, having a ServSafe Food Handler certificate or similar food safety training can significantly enhance your prospects, especially when working with therapeutic diet requirements at places like Catholic Health Initiatives.
Cooks often oversee scheduling food prep to ensure freshness, adjust recipes for dietary needs, maintain kitchen cleanliness, and occasionally lead the kitchen in a supervisor's absence, highlighting multitasking and leadership within their daily routine.
Key skills include food safety adherence, recipe adjustment, time management, and clear communication. Additionally, basic computer skills are increasingly useful for managing schedules or inventory, making candidates more versatile in modern kitchens.
Starting as a cook can lead to supervisory roles such as charge person or kitchen manager. Gaining expertise in therapeutic diets or catering can also open specialized paths, especially in healthcare settings like Catholic Health Initiatives.
At Catholic Health Initiatives, cooks are expected to uphold high food safety standards while accommodating therapeutic diet guidelines. They must also foster teamwork and may lead kitchen operations temporarily, reflecting the organization's commitment to compassionate service.
While prior experience with therapeutic or consistency diets is beneficial, Catholic Health Initiatives provides training to ensure cooks can meet specialized patient and resident nutritional requirements effectively.
Cooks in Detroit Lakes typically earn between $12 and $16 per hour, influenced by experience and specific settings like healthcare. Roles at organizations such as Catholic Health Initiatives may offer competitive wages alongside benefits aligned with the healthcare sector.
Detroit Lakes values a community-focused work culture with an emphasis on collaboration and respect, especially in healthcare kitchens. This environment encourages cooks to maintain positive attitudes and strong teamwork, enhancing job satisfaction.
Yes, Detroit Lakes hosts diverse establishments, allowing cooks to explore roles from hospital kitchens to local restaurants. This variety helps cooks broaden their skills in different food preparation styles and work cultures.