Position Summary The Cook is responsible for preparing nutritious, appealing, and safe meals for residents in an assisted living facility. The Cook follows established menus, dietary requirements, food-safety standards, and resident preferences while maintaining a clean and organized kitchen.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Prepare breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks according to the facility’s menu and recipes.
- Follow special diets, food allergies, texture modifications, and other resident dietary requirements.
- Ensure meals are prepared, portioned, and served at scheduled times.
- Maintain high standards of food quality, taste, appearance, and temperature.
- Follow all food-handling, sanitation, and infection-control procedures.
- Properly store, label, date, and rotate food supplies.
- Monitor food inventory and notify the supervisor when supplies need to be reordered.
- Maintain cleanliness of kitchen equipment, work areas, refrigerators, and storage areas.
- Minimize food waste while maintaining appropriate portions and quality.
- Work cooperatively with dietary staff, caregivers, and facility management.
- Respond respectfully to resident preferences and concerns regarding meals.
- Complete required kitchen and food-safety documentation.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
- Previous cooking experience preferred; experience in healthcare, assisted living, senior living, or institutional food service is a plus.
- Knowledge of basic food preparation and safe food-handling practices.
- Ability to follow recipes, menus, and dietary instructions accurately.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- Good communication and organizational skills.
- Reliable attendance and punctuality.
- Ability to stand for extended periods and safely lift and carry food supplies as required.
- Must meet applicable state and local food-service requirements.
Preferred Skills
- Experience preparing meals for older adults.
- Knowledge of therapeutic and modified-texture diets.
- Ability to work efficiently in a busy kitchen.
- Compassionate and respectful attitude toward residents.
- Strong attention to cleanliness and detail.
Work Schedule The position may include mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays based on the facility’s needs.
Reporting Relationship Reports to the Dietary/Food Service Manager or designated facility supervisor