Cook

Commonwealth Senior Living; Bon Air (AL); On-site; USD 26,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

Commonwealth Senior Living is seeking a Cook to prepare, present, store, and dispatch meals for residents, catering events, and tray service. You will follow menu specifications, ensure sanitation, and maintain dietary accuracy while supporting a safe kitchen environment.

The role requires at least 1 year of cooking experience, comfort with lifting up to 50 lb, and strong teamwork and communication skills in a retirement home setting.

Qualifications

• Minimum 1 year of cooking experience is required.
• Experience in retirement home dining is preferred.
• Knowledge of sanitation and safe food handling applicable to residential dining.
• Ability to lift up to 50 lb and operate kitchen equipment.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills are essential.
• Attention to detail in portioning, presentation, and dietary needs.
• Flexibility to fill open shifts and support staffing needs.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and present meals according to menu specifications and dietary plans.
• Ensure presentation meets established standards.
• Sanitize and store food according to procedures and safety guidelines.
• Maintain quality, taste, and portion control.
• Train new staff as needed and assist with scheduling.
• Assist with catering events and daily resident tray service.
• Follow all health, safety, and fire safety regulations.

Skills

Cooking

Sanitation knowledge

Communication

Teamwork

Multitasking

Time management

Attention to detail

Interpersonal skills

MS Word

Excel

Email

Physical strength

Problem solving

Tools

MS Word

Excel

Email

Job description

Pay Range: $19-$23 per hour

The Cook, under the direction of designated management and supervisors, will prepare, present, store, and dispatch all food products, specifically, but not limited to Dining Room, Bistro (where located), marketing and catering events and resident tray service where required. This will include various functions to pre-set menu specifications within the given time limitations as previously determined by the Dining Services Director and Guest, according to the standards of Commonwealth Senior Living as determined by the Dining Services Director, and in compliance with all health and safety regulations by ensuring adherence to all sanitary and safe food handling guidelines at all times.

Job Duties

• Ensure all menu items are prepared and served according to departmental policies and procedures.
• Assure that the presentation of all menu items adhere to established standards.
• Prepare meals on menus and based on nutritional programs and individual plans.
• Ensure the quality of meals in regards to taste, presentation and dietary requirements established by the Dining Services Director.
• Ensure quality and safety of food by performing standard and any additional sanitary measures including sweeping of the floors, cleaning of surfaces, as well as proper covering and storage of food items according to standards and procedures.
• Work at efficient and consistent pace.
• Ensure timely preparation of all meals.
• Ensure that each resident receives meals corresponding to their dietary requirements.
• Ensure that the correct quantities are prepared to meet daily needs.
• Utilize kitchen equipment during food preparation.
• Stay productive at all times and prepare for future needs as time allows.
• Demonstrate flexibility and volunteer to fill open shifts as required by variations in staffing.
• Follow proper reporting procedures for accidents and incidents to ensure follow-up and prevention.
• Adhere to all regulations including blood borne pathogens, infection control, use of hazardous materials and fire safety.
• Assure that all food and other departmental supplies are ordered and received in a timely manner so that adequate inventory levels are maintained to support volume or anticipated volume.
• Assist with the training of new employees.
• Serve food in the proper portion size and at the proper temperature.
• Report any infraction in the food services department policies and procedures.
• Arrive to work at the scheduled time.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Requirements

• Minimum 1 year of cooking experience required.
• Working experience in the retirement home industry preferred.
• Demonstrated knowledge of food and catering trends, quality, production, sanitation, food cost controls, and presentation required.
• Knowledge of methods and procedures for serving food, principles of sanitation, and principles of safe food handling required.
• Ability to lift up to 50lb required.
• Effective communication skills.
• Highly flexible, with solid interpersonal skills that allow one to work effectively in a diverse working environment.
• Highly effective teamwork skills.
• Computer literacy, including effective working skills of MS Word, Excel and e-mail required.
• Attention to detail in all areas of work.
• Superior time management skills, multitasking skills, and the ability to prioritize tasks with minimal supervision.
• Strong problem identification and problem resolution skills.
• Strong work ethic and positive team attitude.

Culture Ambassador

• Models the core values of the company:
• We Care About People
• We Do the Right Thing
• We are Passionate, Have Fun, and Celebrate Success
• We Speak Up! It's Our Responsibility
• We Take Ownership and Add Value
• We are Respectful
• Ensures all personnel exemplify the core values of the company at all times.
• Create and drive the sales culture.