Compassionate Part-Time Cook for Senior Dining

giant tiger; Smiths Falls; On-site; CAD 22,000 - 30,000; Part time

Job summary

Van Horne Manor Retirement Residence in Smiths Falls, Ontario, is seeking a Part‑Time Cook to prepare nutritious meals for residents with attention to safety and presentation.

You will follow menus, accommodate dietary needs, maintain cleanliness, and support dining experiences with patience and respect.

This role offers flexible shifts weekdays and weekends, with opportunity to contribute to residents’ quality of life in a collaborative kitchen team.

Qualifications

• Previous cooking experience in retirement residence, long‑term care facility, healthcare environment, institutional kitchen, restaurant, or similar setting is preferred.
• Experience preparing meals for seniors is considered an asset.
• Valid Food Handler Certification or willingness to obtain certification as required.
• Knowledge of food safety and sanitation practices.
• Knowledge of special diets, allergies, food sensitivities, and texture‑modified diets is considered an asset.
• Ability to follow established menus, recipes, portion standards, and written instructions.
• Good organizational and time‑management skills.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Must be dependable, punctual, professional, and resident‑focused.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and cook breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, desserts, and other menu items according to the scheduled shift.
• Follow established menus, recipes, portion sizes, and preparation procedures.
• Ensure meals are prepared and served on time and at the appropriate temperature.
• Maintain consistency in food quality, taste, appearance, and portioning.
• Prepare meals according to residents' dietary requirements, allergies, modified textures, and special diets as directed.
• Ensure appropriate substitutions are provided when required.
• Minimize food waste through appropriate preparation, portion control, storage, and use of ingredients.
• Ensure food presentation is attractive and appropriate for our residents.
• Contribute to a pleasant and enjoyable dining experience for all residents.
• Treat residents with patience, dignity, courtesy, and respect at all times.
• Be attentive to reasonable resident preferences and requests.
• Take resident comments and feedback regarding meals seriously and communicate concerns or suggestions to management.
• Recognize that food quality and dining service are important components of resident satisfaction and quality of life.
• Follow all applicable food safety, sanitation, infection prevention, occupational health and safety, and company requirements.
• Follow proper procedures for food preparation, handling, cooking, cooling, reheating, and storage.
• Monitor and record food temperatures as required.
• Maintain a clean, sanitary, and organized kitchen at all times.
• Ensure refrigerators, freezers, storage areas, preparation surfaces, equipment, and utensils are maintained appropriately.
• Ensure food is properly labelled, dated, covered, stored, and rotated.
• Follow appropriate procedures for preventing cross‑contamination and managing food allergies.
• Complete required food safety, temperature, cleaning, and sanitation records accurately.
• Immediately report food safety concerns, equipment malfunctions, spills, hazards, pest concerns, or other unsafe conditions.
• Review upcoming menus and ensure required ingredients and supplies are available.
• Assist with receiving, checking, and properly storing food deliveries and kitchen supplies as required.
• Monitor inventory levels and inform the appropriate manager when products or supplies need to be ordered.
• Use kitchen equipment safely and only for its intended purpose.
• Maintain clean and organized dry‑storage, refrigerator, freezer, and food‑preparation areas.
• Complete opening and closing duties according to established procedures.
• Assist with dishwashing, cleaning, and other kitchen duties when operationally required.
• Work cooperatively with Food & Beverage staff, servers, nursing/care staff, housekeeping, maintenance, management, and other departments.
• Communicate important dietary, resident, food‑service, or operational information to the appropriate staff.
• Provide an effective handover to the next shift where necessary.
• Assist other team members during busy periods to ensure meals are prepared and served on schedule.
• Maintain professional and respectful communication with residents, families, coworkers, suppliers, and visitors.
• Attend required staff meetings and training sessions.

Skills

Cooking experience

Senior meals experience

Food Handler Certificate

Food safety & sanitation

Special diets knowledge

Menu adhesion

Organizational skills

Time management

Communication & interpersonal

Independence & teamwork

Reliability & punctuality

Job description

Van Horne Manor Retirement Residence in Smiths Falls, Ontario, is seeking a Part‑Time Cook to prepare nutritious meals for residents with attention to safety and presentation.

You will follow menus, accommodate dietary needs, maintain cleanliness, and support dining experiences with patience and respect.

This role offers flexible shifts weekdays and weekends, with opportunity to contribute to residents’ quality of life in a collaborative kitchen team.