Cook

Job Overview:

The Cook will be responsible for preparing nutritious and delicious meals for our residents while maintaining high standards of food safety and sanitation. The Cook will work closely with the dietary team to ensure meals are prepared according to residents’ dietary needs, preferences, and health requirements. The ideal candidate should have experience in a professional kitchen, a passion for serving others, and the ability to work efficiently in a team-oriented environment.

Responsibilities:

·         Responsible for ensuring that all employees are providing excellent customer service to internal and external customers.

·         Perform job duties for residents and team members in a courteous and professional manner.

·         Taking the initiative to ensure resident safety and satisfaction is a priority.

·         Meet and greet visitors in a friendly, helpful manner (visitors include anyone who visits the community; specifically, current residents’ families and friends, prospective residents and their families, referral sources, vendors and regulators).

·         Answer phones appropriately, according to company and community standards.

·         Must have a strong knowledge with resident’s dietary needs and special diets.

·         Must communicate closely with nursing department regarding dietary needs.

·         Prepares food for special events and daily meals as needed.

·         Works closely with Dietary Manager and Dietary Supervisors.

·         Strong working knowledge concerning proper food storage procedures, e.g., defrosting frozen food, cooking at required temperatures and maintenance of food at safe temperatures.

·         Works cooperatively with other cooks evaluating leftovers and plans for use; labels, dates, and stores leftovers properly.

·         Monitor the temperature for the freezer and refrigerator.

·         Keeps the work area clean and sanitizes work surfaces, takes out trash as necessary; performs assigned cleaning duties, e.g. dishes, cookware, flatware and trays using approved procedures.

·         Follows menus accurately, demonstrating accuracy in weighing, measuring, and portioning food.

·         Consults menus/recipes for thawing and doing advance preparation when possible; completes and posts menu sheets daily.

·         Demonstrates the ability to operate electric and steam cooking equipment and dishwashers; cleans equipment, pots and pans, after use; reports repairs as needed.

·         Receives deliveries in accordance with purchase orders.

·         Follows the master menu plan, adjusting for nutritionally equivalent substitutes, leftovers, and emergencies.

·         Ability to work in a fast-paced, multi-tasking environment.

·         Assists in daily cleanup of kitchen.

·         Must have compassion for and desire to work with the elderly while recognizing that the community is the residents’ home.

·         Must demonstrate the ability to work responsibly as a team member as well as an individual.

·         Must be honest, fair, dependable, respect confidentiality and the rights and privacy of others.

·         Must be able to communicate effectively with residents, families, staff, vendors, and the general public.

·         Must function independently and have flexibility, personal integrity, and the ability to work effectively with residents and staff.

·         Must be able to relate and work with the ill, disable, elderly, emotionally upset and, at times, hostile people within the community.

·         Perform other duties as assigned.

·         Ensure compliance and understanding of all regulations regarding residents’ rights.