A Cook prepares food in a restaurant or institutional kitchen. May be responsible for a specific station or type of food preparation in a larger kitchen, or specialize as a short-order or fast-food cook. May prepare meals in private homes, or cater parties.
3+ months Position Summary The Senior Cook is responsible for preparing high-quality meals, including entrees, vegetables, breads, special diets, and catered meals. This person will also help coordinate kitchen activities, guide food-service staff, support meal service, and assist with food-service operations such as inventory, receiving, menu support, and food safety. Key Responsibilities Prepare entrees, vegetables, breads, and other menu items for daily meals. Prepare therapeutic and special diets in accordance with menu requirements, resident preferences, and the Diet Manual. Taste food for quality and flavor and verify safe food temperatures. Prepare meals for special events and catered functions. Plan ahead for future meals, including food preparation and thawing frozen items. Coordinate daily kitchen activities and assist with arranging coverage when needed. Delegate food-preparation and cleaning responsibilities to food-service workers and kitchen helpers. Monitor food handling, sanitation, and production standards. Assist with training new staff on job duties, safety procedures, fire safety, and chemical hazards. Support tray-line service and ensure special-diet requirements are followed. Assist with cycle-menu planning, food purchasing, inventory control, food receiving, labeling, dating, and stock rotation. Make menu substitutions as needed and attend required nutrition and food-service meetings. Candidate Requirements Prior experience as a cook in a commercial kitchen, healthcare facility, long-term care setting, school, hospitality, or institutional food-service environment. Experience preparing meals for special, modified, or therapeutic diets is strongly preferred. Knowledge of food safety, sanitation, safe food temperatures, and proper food handling. Ability to lead or coordinate kitchen staff and support training activities. Strong organization, teamwork, communication, and time-management skills. Comfortable working around kitchen equipment, hot surfaces, cleaning chemicals, odors, and wet floors. Ability to stand, walk, bend, stoop, kneel, reach, and perform repetitive hand movements throughout the shift. Ability to frequently move items up to 25 lbs.; occasionally up to 50 lbs.; and rarely up to 75 lbs.
