Publix Cook Koi Wilson is affectionately known as ‘Captain’ because she runs a tight ship.

Koi has been cooking delicious meals for her family for quite some time. She turned her passion for feeding people into a career by using the culinary skills she developed at home. In 2023, she brought her love of cooking to the Boynton Beach distribution center cafeteria.

A standard workday for Koi begins by communicating with the day shift cook to review reusable items and address any pending tasks. She then checks the daily and upcoming menus and prepares for the 7:30 p.m. dinner service. Her responsibilities include preparing main and side dishes while following food safety regulations.

Life as a Publix cook entails more than just cooking. Koi is also responsible for cleaning kitchen equipment and common areas, assigning tasks to team members, and overseeing cafeteria operations. These duties require great organizational skills, but flexibility is just as important. “You never know what the day will bring, so you must be able to adjust quickly,” Koi said.

She believes preparation is the key to serving great meals. Koi plans dinner service based on the consumption of previous meals and pays close attention to favorite dishes to ensure there’s always enough. “Our associates are hardworking people, so I want to make sure they get the nourishment they need,” Koi said.

For information on available support positions, check out the Publix careers website.