Assistant Cook I

Westminster Communities of Florida; Petersburg (AK); On-site; USD 19,000 - 25,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Benefits package

Job summary

Westminster Communities of Florida is seeking a Cooks Assistant 1 to support daily culinary production at Westminster Suncoast, near downtown St. Petersburg.

Under the direction of the Chef, you will prepare hot and cold foods, assemble salads and sandwiches, and help with menu prep for breakfast, lunch, dinner, catering, and special events. The role offers a full-time schedule from 7:30am to 5pm with rotating weekends.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Minimum of 1 year of experience in a full service culinary or food service environment.
• Certifications: Florida Safe Staff Certification required, or the ability to obtain certification within 90 days of hire.

Responsibilities

• Prepares ingredients and food items according to recipes, production sheets, and instructions from the Chef.
• Performs basic preparation of hot and cold foods, including vegetables, fruits, salads, sandwiches, sauces, soups, starches, proteins, and other menu items.
• Washes, peels, cuts, chops, slices, dices, mixes, portions, and measures ingredients as directed.
• Assists with preparation and assembly of menu items for breakfast, lunch, dinner, catering, and special events.
• Follows established recipes and preparation methods to maintain consistency and quality.
• Operates kitchen equipment safely and according to training and instructions.
• Maintains proper cold food temperatures and storage procedures.

Skills

Food preparation

Kitchen safety

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Job description

Westminster Communities of Florida is a national leader in senior living and dedicated to a mission of service to older adults. Founded in 1954, Westminster Communities of Florida is a fiscally strong, not-for-profit organization serving more than 10,000 residents in Life Plan Communities and affordable Rental Retirement Communities. Our communities offer independent living, assisted living, nursing care, home care, pharmacy services, therapy services, and affordable housing for seniors.

Our Life Plan Community, Westminster Suncoast, located near downtown St. Petersburg, offers the best of both worlds: a beautiful location and a fulfilling career. We hold Joint Commission accreditation, a nationally recognized standard that reflects our commitment to safe, high-quality care. We are proud to be recognized for excellence in senior care U.S. News & World Report Best Nursing Homes for Rehab 2026, U.S. News & World Report Best Nursing Homes for Long-Term Care 2026, and 2025 Choice Community Award from Holleran Consulting for Resident Engagement. We are currently searching for a Cooks Assistant 1 to support daily culinary production by preparing hot and cold foods under the direction and instruction of the Chef and cooks. This position assists with food menu prep, salads and cold sandwiches. This position also prepares hot food under the instruction of the Chef.

Schedule: Full-time between the hours of 7:30am-5pm with rotating weekends.

This position is responsible for:

• Prepares ingredients and food items according to recipes, production sheets, and instructions from the Chef.
• Performs basic preparation of both hot and cold foods, including vegetables, fruits, salads, sandwiches, sauces, soups, starches, proteins, and other menu items.
• Washes, peels, cuts, chops, slices, dices, mixes, portions, and measures ingredients as directed.
• Assists with preparation and assembly of menu items for breakfast, lunch, dinner, catering, and special events.
• Follows established recipes and preparation methods to maintain consistency and quality.
• Assists Cooks with food preparation and production as assigned.
• Properly labels, dates, stores, and rotates prepared food and ingredients using established procedures.
• Operates kitchen equipment safely and according to training and instructions.
• Assists with soups, vegetables, starches, sauces, gravies, proteins, and other hot menu items.
• Monitors food preparation and notifies the Chef of any concerns with quality, temperature, or product availability.
• Follows cooking instructions and established food temperatures.
• Prepares salads, fruits, vegetables, cold sandwiches, dressings, garnishes, desserts, and other cold food items as assigned.
• Portions and assemble cold food items according to recipes, production requirements, and presentation standards.
• Maintains proper cold food temperatures and storage procedures.
• Maintains clean and sanitary workstations, equipment, utensils, and food preparation areas throughout the shift.
• Properly handles and stores food to prevent cross-contamination.

Qualifications:

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Minimum of 1 year of experience in a full service culinary or food service environment.
• Certifications: Florida Safe Staff Certification required, or the ability to obtain certification within 90 days of hire.

Experience:

• Full understanding of basic food preparation methods and cooking techniques for quantity food production.

Total Rewards:

Westminster offers a supportive, mission-driven environment where team members are valued and actively supported in their professional growth and career development. We are committed to providing competitive pay and benefits. Benefits for part-time positions include paid time off, and more. Visit Career Benefits | Westminster Communities of Florida for more information.

We Thrive

We believe our success starts with our people. Our culture is rooted in teamwork, communication, accountability, and quality, creating an environment where our 2,800 team members are supported, empowered, and encouraged to grow. We value collaboration, recognize contributions, and are committed to fostering a workplace where everyone can thrive and make a meaningful impact.

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram @WestminsterCareers and on LinkedIn to learn more about

Westminster Communities of Florida.

Westminster Communities of Florida is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected classification. We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace and encourage all qualified individuals to apply. We conduct drug testing and criminal background screening on all new hires. Applicants can learn more about Florida background screening requirements at https://info.flclearinghouse.com/