Description
Schedule: Full Time | 40 hours per week | Monday - Friday | 11:30 am - 8:00 pm
Department: Dietary Services | Cook Valley Estates | Grand Rapids, MI
What You'll Do In This Role:
The Dining Services Lead Cook is a hands-on culinary leader who prepares high-quality, delicious meals while ensuring compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations and community policies. This role helps create an exceptional dining experience by maintaining the highest standards of food quality, safety, and service, while supporting and guiding the kitchen team during daily operations. In the absence of the Executive Chef or other Dining Services leadership, the Lead Cook takes charge of the department, ensuring the kitchen runs smoothly, efficiently, and with a continued commitment to excellence and resident satisfaction.
Key Responsibilities
- Maintain department records, including inventory, food orders, billing, deliveries, temperature logs, and supply tracking.
- Coordinate staffing needs, process department requests, and collaborate with the Dietitian, Executive Chef, and other departments to support daily operations.
- Demonstrate professionalism, teamwork, accountability, and effective communication while supporting organizational goals.
- Prepare and serve high-quality meals using approved recipes, standardized procedures, and resident diet requirements.
- Ensure food, supplies, and preparation areas are ready for daily meal service, catering, and special events.
- Maintain timely, appealing meal presentation while utilizing appropriate cooking methods and authorized substitutions.
- Ensure meals are served accurately according to resident diets, preferences, and allergies.
- Maintain a clean, safe, and sanitary kitchen by following food safety, infection control, and emergency procedures while inspecting work areas and storage.
- Support compliance by disposing of food properly and assisting with onboarding and training team members on department standards.
- Lead daily kitchen operations, serving as manager on duty and assuming responsibility in the absence of department leadership.
- Open and close the department, monitor operations, address concerns, and help standardize work practices.
- Foster a positive team environment by mentoring staff, maintaining confidentiality, and participating in meetings, training, and quality improvement initiatives.
- Receive, inventory, organize, and store food and supplies while maintaining clean and orderly storage areas.
- Assist with routine ordering and monitor stock levels to ensure operational readiness.
- Identify equipment and supply needs and communicate recommendations to leadership.
- Operate a golf cart, as needed, to transport food, meals, and supplies throughout the community.
- Support exceptional customer service by promoting teamwork, accountability, and department standards.
- Perform other duties as assigned to support efficient dining services operations.
The above is a summary of the position, it in no way states or implies that these are the only duties this position will be required to perform. If selected for the position you will receive a full job description.
Skills, Knowledge & Expertise
- Five (5) year short order cook experience in a restaurant, café, food service kitchen or other related environment required.
- Culinary Education preferred
- Ability to work safely around hot equipment, hot food, cleaning chemicals, and varying temperatures, including refrigerated areas.
- ServSafe and Allergen Certification preferred
- Position requires the ability to lift and move objects weighing up to 35 pounds without assistance.
- On-the-job training provided.
- Must be a minimum of eighteen (18) years of age.
Job Benefits
- Career Growth & Development – Take your career to the next level with our tuition assistance programs and educational scholarships.
- Wellness Program & Reimbursement – Prioritize your health and well-being, reimbursed $120 a year!
- Competitive Benefits for Full-Time Team Members – Enjoy Medical, Vision & Dental Insurance starting on the 1st of the month after 30 days of hire.
- Retirement Savings Plan – Secure your future with employer contributions.
- Daily Pay – Instantly transfer your daily earnings.
- Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) – Includes 6 Paid Holidays and 2 Floating Holidays.
- Team Member Referral Bonus Program – Earn $500 when you bring great people to our team!
- Fresh, Local, Chef-Created Meals – Enjoy restaurant-style dining experiences.
- Free Meals with Each Shift – Plus, take advantage of paid breaks during your shift.
ACCESSIBILITY SUPPORT
Brio Living Services is committed to offering reasonable accommodation to job applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to disability, please contact us at loveyourcareer@mybrio.org
BRIO LIVING SERVICES IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Brio Living Services provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, or genetics in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws.
#1319