Pantry Cook
Company : Catholic Health Initiatives
Location : Burgin, KY, 40310
Job Type : Full Time / Part Time
Date Posted : 22 December 2025
Job Summary and Responsibilities
Prepares food for patients, staff, and visitors of the healthcare facility following safe cooking techniques. Prepares food for multiple therapeutic diets and complies with state and federal laws and regulations related to food preparation in a healthcare environment. Supports quality control measures such as recipe adherence and food quality consistency.
Essential Key Job Responsibilities
- Prepares and serves food within guidelines of menu and dietary requirements, using required kitchen utensils and equipment such as slicers, mixers, ovens, fryers, steamers, stove tops, and grills, etc. Modifies preparations to account for food allergies.
- Follows healthcare foodservice industry standards, regulations, guidelines and procedures including monitoring and maintaining food temperatures during cooking, holding, and storage processes. Avoids cross-contamination of foods and adheres to personal hygiene requirements.
- Maintains labeling and storage of food, equipment, and machinery.
- Performs washing and cleaning duties to ensure sanitation & cleanliness in cooking and serving areas.
- Other duties as assigned by the leader.
Required Education and Experience | One (1) year of Food Service Experience |
Preferred Education and Experience | High School Diploma Cooking Experience Combination of education and experience |
Required Licensure and Certifications | FHP:- within 30 days or state requirement FHP ANSI approved or ServSafe : AZ - Maricopa, Yavapai FHP ANSI approved or ServSafe: CA - Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego FHP: City of Leavenworth: KS - Leavenworth FHP or ServSafe: KY - Jessamine, Fayette, Madison, Montgomery FHP: NE - Lancaster - Lancaster County Food Protection Manager Permit FHP: NV - Clark - Clark County Food Handler FHP ANSI or ServSafe: OR FHP ANSI approved or ServSafe: TX FHP or ServSafe: UT FHP State Approved: WA |
Required Minimum Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Training | None specified |
Welcome to Saint Joseph Hospital, a 433-bed hospital founded in 1877 by the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth as the first hospital in Lexington, Kentucky. Led by Sister Euphrasia Stafford, the mission to provide compassionate care to the underserved is still carried out today. Saint Joseph Hospital holds over two dozen national ranks and recognitions and is recognized as a 2024 Best Place to Work in Kentucky.
Saint Joseph is part of CommonSpirit Health, a non-profit, Catholic health system dedicated to advancing health for all people. With approximately 175,000 team members and 25,000 physicians and advanced practice clinicians.
Our commitment to serve the common good is delivered through the dedicated work of thousands of physicians, advanced practice clinicians, nurses, and staff; through clinical excellence delivered across a system of 140 hospitals and more than 2,200 care centers serving 24 states.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, working as a Pantry Cook near Burgin, KY typically requires food handler certifications such as FHP or ServSafe approved for Kentucky counties like Jessamine, Fayette, and Madison. These ensure compliance with local health codes essential for healthcare foodservice roles.
The demand for Pantry Cooks in Burgin, KY is steady due to healthcare facilities like Saint Joseph Hospital. Competition can vary, but candidates with food safety certifications and healthcare foodservice experience often have an advantage in this region.
Proficiency with kitchen tools like slicers, mixers, ovens, fryers, and steamers is crucial. These utensils are standard in healthcare kitchens to prepare diverse therapeutic diets while maintaining safety and hygiene.
While some roles prefer at least one year of food service experience, entry-level candidates with a high school diploma and a passion for cooking can often start if they obtain the required food safety certification quickly.
Starting as a Pantry Cook offers growth opportunities into dietary cook positions, catering chef roles, or supervisory kitchen staff, especially within large health systems like Catholic Health Initiatives that support career development.
Catholic Health Initiatives emphasizes quality control and safety, often offering ongoing training in recipe adherence, food handling, and sanitation tailored to healthcare standards, which helps Pantry Cooks maintain compliance and skill growth.
At Catholic Health Initiatives, particularly Saint Joseph Hospital, Pantry Cooks engage in therapeutic diet preparation and strict hygiene protocols within a faith-based, patient-focused environment, setting it apart from typical restaurant or cafeteria cooking jobs.
Pantry Cooks in Burgin, KY generally earn between $11 and $15 per hour, reflecting healthcare foodservice standards. Exact pay varies by experience and certification, with Catholic Health Initiatives offering competitive wages aligned with local cost of living.
Locally, food handling must comply with Kentucky health department mandates, including specific certifications like FHP or ServSafe. These regional rules ensure food safety in healthcare settings and influence daily prep and sanitation practices.
Saint Joseph Hospital, recognized as a top workplace in Kentucky, fosters a compassionate and inclusive atmosphere. Pantry Cooks benefit from a team-oriented culture focused on quality care and employee wellbeing.