Senior Living Cook II — Nutritious, Resident-Centered Meals

Optima Living; St. Albert; On-site; CAD 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Optima Living is seeking a Cook Level II to prepare nutritious meals for residents in a high-quality, sanitary, and compassionate manner. You will plan meal schedules, supervise kitchen tasks when needed, and ensure safety and dietary needs are met in a supportive, resident-centered facility.

The role requires a culinary institute credential, Food Safe certification, and the ability to work independently or with a team across shifts.

Qualifications

• Graduate from a recognized culinary institute is required.
• Experience in a residential care or mental health environment is an asset.
• Comprehensive food services knowledge focused on quality, production, sanitation, and presentation is an asset.
• Active Food Safe certification is required.
• CPR and First Aid certification is an asset.
• Strong personal hygiene practices are required.
• Ability to supervise when necessary.
• Ability to communicate professionally and maintain respectful relationships with residents, team members, volunteers and visitors.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, both oral and written.
• Demonstrates ability to organize, prioritize and problem solve.
• Ability to work independently and with others.
• Ability to manage and resolve difficult and challenging situations effectively and respectfully.
• Physical and mental ability to carry out duties including health legislation adherence.
• Ability to safely operate equipment per protocols.
• Computer literacy skills required.
• Flexibility to work a variety of shifts.

Responsibilities

• Prepares food using roasting, frying, grilling, steaming, poaching, boiling, and baking as directed.
• Assembles and organizes ingredients and equipment for food preparation.
• Cooks and seasons menu items and therapeutic diets like soups, sauces, salads, starches, meats, fish, poultry, and vegetables.
• Plans cooking schedule to ensure optimal quality and nutrition.
• Monitors portioning to meet recipe yield and servings.
• Prepares food for large events, special occasions and catered functions.
• Samples food for palatability and temperature and adjusts as needed.
• Monitors cooler/freezer temperatures for safety.
• Ensures proper food storage rotation to minimize spoilage.
• Follows Food Safety and Sanitation Plans per health regulations.

Skills

Culinary skills

Food safety

CPR/First Aid

Communication

Supervision

Computer literacy

Flexibility

Education

Culinary institute degree

Job description

Optima Living is seeking a Cook Level II to prepare nutritious meals for residents in a high-quality, sanitary, and compassionate manner. You will plan meal schedules, supervise kitchen tasks when needed, and ensure safety and dietary needs are met in a supportive, resident-centered facility.

The role requires a culinary institute credential, Food Safe certification, and the ability to work independently or with a team across shifts.