USD | Cook

Description:

The Cook is responsible for preparing and cooking flavorful, nutritious, and visually appealing meals in accordance with standardized recipes, nutritional guidelines, and residents' dietary needs. This role requires proficiency in scratch cooking, batch meal preparation, and therapeutic diet modifications, while utilizing a variety of cooking techniques such as baking, roasting, broiling, steaming, and sautéing. The Cook must also be able to adjust menus as needed to accommodate dietary restrictions and resident preferences.

In this position, strict adherence to state, federal, and local food safety regulations is essential, including proper food handling, sanitation, and storage practices. The Cook maintains clean equipment, utensils, and workstations, follows infection control policies, and wears appropriate protective equipment as required to ensure a safe and sanitary environment.

The Cook assists with meal service by plating, garnishing, and portioning meals according to presentation standards while ensuring efficient service that accommodates residents' preferences within dietary guidelines. Alternative meal options are provided for residents with special dietary needs to support individualized care and satisfaction.

Working closely with the Dietary Manager, dietitians, and healthcare staff, the Cook helps ensure that residents' nutritional and dietary requirements are met. Additional responsibilities include assisting with inventory management, food ordering, proper food storage procedures, and the accurate completion of required reports, documentation, and compliance records.

A resident-centered approach is critical to success in this role. The Cook fosters positive relationships with residents, enhancing their dining experience through patience, compassion, professionalism, and excellent customer service. Strong attendance, dependability, and teamwork are essential to maintaining consistent, high-quality meal service for residents, guests, and fellow team members.

Enable Skills-Based Hiring No Qualifications/Certifications