Description
Under the immediate supervision of the Kitchen Supervisor you are responsible for assuring the meal and all of its components are ready on time for the meal service each day. You will make sure all food is cooked and held at the right temperature. You will follow the menu as provided and when required, be able to provide substitutions. You will provide alternate menu items for special diets requiring substitution for meat, gluten or other restrictions. It is important that you sample all food before it goes out to make sure it is to the standards and expectations of the Kitchen Supervisor and Sundown M Ranch. When required, you will assume the duties of the Kitchen Supervisor in his/her absence.
Essential Tasks Include the Following:

1. Working together as a team with other kitchen staff, including kitchen helpers, to get the job done efficiently.
2. Preparing food according to a planned menu and under the direction of the Kitchen Supervisor.
3. Prepping food items for the following day so each cook has a head start in their daily food prep duties. This includes pulling items from the freezer or delivery to make sure items are thawed in time.
4. Tasting all prepared food to make sure final result is to expectation and having a general understanding of what goes into a food item to answer patient questions.
5. Serving under any circumstance with a positive attitude and effort to assure patient's feel comfortable.
6. Following daily prep and check lists and keeping an eye on temperatures and expiration dates. Rotating stock correctly and assuring milk in dispensers has not expired.
7. Keeping Family building stocked correctly with appropriate presentation of fruit, ice machine filled, all machines checked and cleaned. The same care is expected for family members as for patients.
8. Inventory daily to assure food for the next day is in stock and available in the correct quantities.
9. After each meal, cleaning steam tables, putting food away and cleaning work surfaces.
10. The Cook on duty at the evening meal will turn off the steam table, stove, and exhaust fan.
11. Putting out snacks for patients: juices, milk, and other snack items and checking beverages daily to assure stock for next day.
12. Checking menu for items to be prepared in advance such as peeling potatoes, baking cookies, pies, etc., and preparing for other items on the menu.
13. Reporting inferior quality of food or faulty equipment to the kitchen supervisor.
14. Seeing that all cookers, storeroom, kitchen equipment, and other areas of the kitchen are maintained in accordance with State health standards.
15. Putting refrigerated and frozen stock away in a timely manner following delivery.
16. Maintaining a running list of needed items to assure we don't run out of stock.
17. Completing assigned tasks, cleaning before leaving at the end of the shift.
18. Working with the Chef when new items are introduced on the menu to make sure items are prepared and severed as expected. After the first time an item is served, you are responsible for following the procedure every time the item is served.
19. Keeping refrigerator organized and using up leftovers in other meals to increase the choices for patients.
20. Assuring that the patient comes first. This means at times stopping what you are doing and meeting the patient's needs including refilling beverage containers, replenishing trays, refreshing salad bar, condiments and silverware containers.
21. Other duties as determined and assigned.

Requirements
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Language Skills
Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos. Ability to write simple correspondence. Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to patients, family members, counselors, and other employees of the organization.
Mathematical Skills
Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute percent, elapsed time, and interpret simple graphs and charts.
Reasoning Ability
Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram or schedule form.
OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with patients, staff and families. Ability to perform duties with awareness of all Sundown M Ranch requirements and polices of the governing Board of Directors.
Physical Demands : The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is continuously standing or walking; use hands and fingers to handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to sit. The employee frequently must squat, stoop or kneel, reach above the head and reach forward. The employee frequently uses hand strength to grasp tools and may climb on ladders. The employee will occasionally bend or twist at the neck and trunk more than the average person while performing the duties of this job.
The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds such as luggage or boxes of files. Occasionally the employee will lift and/or move up to 90 pounds such as bulk furniture or file boxes. The employee will sometimes push/pull items such as tables, or beds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
Work Environment : The work environment characteristics described here are representative to those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The noise level in this environment is quiet to medium loud depending upon the activity in the particular part of the day.