Cook (Casual Position)

salvationarmyca; Vancouver; On-site; CAD 36,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

The Salvation Army is seeking a dedicated cook to prepare and deliver high-quality meals in a busy healthcare kitchen at Southview. You will follow established safety, hygiene, and nutrition standards while collaborating with the food services team.

Responsibilities include cooking a variety of dishes, managing portions, and ensuring meals meet dietary needs for residents. A strength in teamwork, communication, and adherence to Food Safe guidelines is essential.

Qualifications

• Completion of a formal post-secondary/college program for one academic year is an asset.
• More than one year of experience in quantity cooking, preferably in health care facilities.
• Current Food Safe Level 1 minimum
• WHMIS certificate
• Current negative TB test
• Able to pass a Criminal Record check

Responsibilities

• Cook, bake, and taste a wide range of foods to high quality standards.
• Prepare and portion meals on time for service, ensuring presentation and accuracy.
• Follow HACCP and Food Safe guidelines for storage, handling and preparation.
• Label, date and store food properly; rotate stock and manage leftovers.
• Assist with special events and dietary substitutions as required.
• Respond to residents and staff needs promptly and safely.
• Operate kitchen equipment according to procedures and safety rules.

Skills

Food preparation

Food safety

Communication

Teamwork

Adaptability

Education

One-year college program in culinary arts

Job description

Who We Are

For more than 130 years, The Salvation Army has served people in need in communities across Canada and Bermuda. Building on our roots as a world-wide Christian church, each year we help more than 2 million people, providing necessities such as food, clothing and shelter. In addition, we support people experiencing unemployment, addiction and family challenges. We continually adapt and innovate to meet emerging needs and live out our mission, vision and values of hope, service, dignity and stewardship. As a faith- and values-based organization, we hire and serve people of all backgrounds and walks of life - there is a place for everyone to belong here.

Mission Statement

The Salvation Army exists to share the love of Jesus Christ, meet human needs and be a transforming influence in the communities of our world.

Job Description

Position Purpose summary

The cook is responsible for preparing and delivering high quality meals in accordance with the approved menu. The cook ensures all food is prepared following established safety, hygiene, and nutrition standards while working collaboratively as part of food services team Southview.

Accountabilities

• Able to cook, bake, and taste food on a consistent basis, including but not limited to meats, fish, vegetables, soups, sauces, desserts, cookies, muffins, sandwiches, and salads
• Able to organize and have food prepared on time for meal service that is of high quality and is well presented
• Cook and bake from mixes and recipes
• Work accurately in both imperial and metric
• Accurately prepare portions of food to minimize waste
• Prepare food for special events
• Able to prepare alternates for special diets - including but not limited to reduced salt and diabetic
• Understand the importance of consistency in special diets for the health of tenants
• Demonstrate flexibility in making menu substitutions when warranted
• Able to provide meals at unscheduled times if requested by residents
• Prepare for next day, including making sure items are removed from the freezer as per Food Safe standards
• Adhere to principles/directives of Food Safe in storage, handling, and preparation of food
• Labelling, dating, and storing food in kitchen following Food Safe guidelines
• Consistently keeps work areas clean and sanitized
• Accept deliveries and ensure that orders are correct, properly rotated, stored, and labelled
• Ensure the correct meal is served when requested as per dietary requisitions
• Understanding Assisted Living and Independent Living concepts
• Operate all equipment safely as per operating procedures
• Work cooperatively with all food services staff for a smooth, professional delivery of service
• Assist with managing leftovers and cleaning up at the end of shift
• Take directions from Food Services Manager, Executive Director or designate
• Orders as requested by the Food Services Manager, Executive Director or designate
• Supervises the Dietary Aides when the Food Services Manager or designate is not available.
• Notify Food Services Manager of any concerns with tenants, staff, inventory, recipes, or menu items
• Direct Dietary Aides in portioning or prep of items for meal service.
• Monitor and records food temperatures during storage, preparation, cooking, and service all phases of foods served. (HACCP standards are to be met)
• Wash dishes as required
• Read and understand communications via email, memos, and communication book
• Able to be flexible with duties to ensure teamwork and cooperation
• Perform other related duties as required.

Written and Verbal Communication

• Strong verbal communication with dietary staff, management, and residents
• Accurately convey work-related matters in written format

WORKING CONDITIONS

The work environment is typically in a large and busy kitchen. The incumbent works as part of the dietary team.

• Hot/Steamy environment
• Crowded in some cases
• Pressure with timelines
• Cuts, Burns and entering freezers
• Exposure to infectious diseases
• Sharp objects
• Electrical hazards
• Injury from lifting
• Falling on wet/slippery floors
• Dealing with difficult resident situations

Physical Requirements

• Able to push, pull, & lift a minimum of 23 kg
• Able to stand for entirety of shift
• Able to crouch or bend down following proper form
• Able to reach above and overhead

Education and Experience Qualifications

• Completion of a formal post-secondary/college program for one academic year is an asset
• More than one year of experience in quantity cooking, preferably in the health care facilities
• Current Food Safe Level 1 minimum
• WHMIS certificate
• Current negative TB test
• Able to pass a Criminal Record check

Skills and Capabilities (examples provided below):

Strong sense of integrity and confidentiality with professional ethics and