Cook

Commonwealth of Massachusetts; Holyoke (MA); On-site; USD 47,000 - 61,000; Full time

Job summary

The Veterans Home at Holyoke, part of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, is seeking a Cook for its Dietary Department. This full-time role (40 hours/wk, 10:00 AM–6:30 PM) includes an alternating weekend and holiday schedule and serves veterans and staff with nutritious meals prepared from standardized recipes.

Responsibilities include preparing meals per diet orders, checking trays, assisting with storage and waste reduction, supervising staff when needed, and adhering to ServSafe standards.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of methods for handling, preparing and cooking food
• Knowledge of sanitary procedures for kitchen equipment
• Ability to read recipes and measure accurately
• Knowledge of ServSafe standards
• Ability to follow oral and written instructions
• Ability to supervise and assign work to staff

Responsibilities

• Follows recipes and diet orders, prepares quantities to meet service needs
• Checks trays for diet accuracy and quality before delivery
• Receives and stores food and supplies, dates, labels and stores items properly
• Supervises kitchen staff when needed
• Assists in cleaning as required
• Other duties as assigned by supervisor

Skills

Food preparation

Sanitation practices

Reading recipes

Supervising staff

Customer service

Education

Culinary arts diploma/certificate

Job description

An Official website of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts

TheVeterans Home at Holyokeis a state-funded, fully accredited health care facility that offers veterans quality health care, including full-time residential accommodations, and provides educational and social services for Veterans in the Commonwealth. TheVeterans Home at Holyokeis staffed by approximately 330+ administrators, clinicians, nurses, certified nursing assistants, skilled trade, dietary staff, housekeeping staff, contractors, consultants and general administrative personnel. The tradition of service to the veterans of Massachusetts is surpassed only by a continued commitment to excellence in care for those who are in need now and in the future. Our mission is to provide “Care with Dignity, Honor, and Respect” to our Veterans.

The Veterans Home at Holyoke is seeking a talented and skilled individual to join our Dietary Department as a Cook. The ideal candidate is passionate about building meaningful relationships and can provide outstanding service to our veteran and staff populations.

Schedule:

This is a full-time position, 40 hours per week, working 10:00 AM to 6:30 PM. It includes an alternating weekend and holiday schedule.

Duties and Responsibilities (please note that this list is not all-inclusive):

• Follows standardized recipes and special diet orders, preparing sufficient quantities to meet all service requirements.
• Checks trays for accuracy of diets, preferences, and quality before they are delivered. Serves on tray line and delivers carts to floors as needed.
• Assists in receiving and storing food and supplies to prevent waste and assure quality products. Dates, labels, and stores items properly. Uses proper food handling techniques.
• Supervises the kitchen staff when needed
• Assists in cleaning as required
• Other duties as assigned by supervisor

Required Qualifications:

• Knowledge of the methods and techniques used in the handling, preparation and cooking of food
• Knowledge of correct sanitary procedures for kitchen equipment
• Ability to read recipes and measure accordingly
• Knowledge of ServSafe standards
• Ability to follow oral and written instructions
• Ability to deal tactfully with others, to include ability to supervise and assign work to staff

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ability to supervise staff when necessary
• Knowledge to utilize leftovers to reduce food waste
• Knowledge of weights and measures
• Ability to use slicer, meat grinder, blender, kettles, oven, grill, broaster, etc.

Agency Mission:

The Veterans Home at Holyoke is a state-funded, fully accredited health care facility that offers veterans quality health care, including full-time residential accommodations, and provides educational and social services for Veterans in the Commonwealth. The Veterans Home is staffed by approximately 350+ administrators, clinicians, nurses, certified nursing assistants, skilled trade, dietary staff, housekeeping staff, contractors, consultants, and general administrative personnel. The tradition of service to the veterans of Massachusetts is surpassed only by a continued commitment to excellence in care for those who are in need now and in the future. Our mission is to provide “Care with Dignity, Honor, and Respect” to our Veterans.

Minimum Entrance Requirements:

Applicants must have at least (A) one year of full-time, or equivalent part-time, experience in the preparation and cooking of food in a hotel, restaurant, cafeteria, catering firm, government or private institution, or (B) any equivalent combination of the required experience and the substitutions below.

Substitutions: I. A diploma or certificate from a recognized trade, technical or vocational school, at high school level or higher, with a major in culinary arts, food services or food trades may be substituted for the required experience.

Special Requirements: None

For BU and MI-MIV

A criminal background check will be completed on the recommended candidate as required by the regulations set forth by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services prior to the candidate being hired. For more information, please visit http://www.mass.gov/hhs/cori

Education, licensure and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division’s Hiring Guidelines.

Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law and may be published on the Commonwealth’s website.

COVID Vaccine: As a condition of employment, depending on job assignment and location, employees may be required to have received COVID-19 vaccination and/or other vaccinations, or to have been approved for a vaccination exemption prior to their start date. Details relating to demonstrating compliance with this requirement will be provided to applicants selected for employment.

When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

An Equal Opportunity / Affitative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.

First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.

Primary Location

United States-Massachusetts-Holyoke-110 Cherry Street

Job

Food Services

Agency

Schedule

Full-time

Shift

Day

Job Posting

Aug 7, 2026, 2:40:20 PM

Number of Openings

1

Salary

47,050.90 - 61,026.94 Yearly

If you have Diversity, Affitative Action or Equal Employment Opportunity questions or need a Reasonable Accommodation, please contact Diversity Officer / ADA Coordinator : [e-mail] - 8572864182

Confidential : No

Potentially Eligible for a Hybrid Work Schedule : No