Cook

Hopedale Medical Complex; Hopedale (IL); On-site; USD 19,000 - 28,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Excellent health, dental, vision and (

Life/disability insurance

401(k) plan with employer match

Job summary

Hopedale Medical Complex in Illinois is hiring a Full-Time Cook to join our Food Services team. You will prepare nutritious meals for patients, residents, employees, and guests while upholding high standards of safety and sanitation.

The role requires cooking experience, ability to read recipes, and teamwork in a fast-paced, patient-focused environment. Starting pay is $17.00 an hour with competitive benefits and campus resources.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED preferred.
• Previous cooking or institutional food service experience preferred.
• Food Handler Certification preferred but not required.
• Working knowledge of food preparation techniques and commercial kitchen equipment.
• Ability to read, understand, and prepare recipes independently.
• Knowledge of food safety, sanitation, and infection prevention practices.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced team environment.
• Excellent customer service and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and present high-quality meals according to menus, recipes, and therapeutic diet requirements.
• Prepare, season, cook, portion, and serve soups, meats, vegetables, desserts, and other menu items.
• Ensure food is prepared safely while maintaining appropriate temperatures throughout preparation and service.
• Follow standardized recipes and portion control guidelines.
• Assist with meal preparation, tray line, food service, and kitchen cleanup.
• Understand and prepare modified and therapeutic diets accurately.
• Monitor food quality, freshness, and presentation.
• Ensure adequate food and supplies are available to meet planned menu needs.
• Maintain compliance with all sanitation, infection prevention, HACCP, and food safety standards.
• Properly clean and sanitize kitchen equipment, food preparation areas, and workstations.
• Work collaboratively with dietary team members to provide exceptional service to patients, residents, visitors, and staff.
• Assist with catered events and special meal functions as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Food service experience

Food safety

Customer service

Team collaboration

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Commercial kitchen equipment

Job description

Cook — Full-Time

About Hopedale Medical Complex
For more than 70 years, Hopedale Medical Complex has provided exceptional, patient-centered healthcare close to home. We are an independent, nonprofit Critical Access Hospital rooted in a small-town community—but the scope of care we provide is anything but small.
What makes HMC special is the relationship between our patients, physicians, and care teams. Many of our physicians provide both primary care and general surgical services, creating a continuity of care and personal connection that is increasingly rare in healthcare. Our patients are our neighbors, friends, and families, and many have trusted HMC with their care for generations.
From our 25-bed hospital, 24-hour Emergency Department, ICU, and four operating rooms to primary and specialty care, advanced surgical services, diagnostic imaging, rehabilitation, long-term care, senior living, and wellness services, HMC provides the capabilities of a larger health system with the personal connection of community healthcare.

Join the Hopedale Medical Complex Team!

Do you enjoy cooking and making a difference in people’s lives? Hopedale Medical Complex is looking for a dedicated Full-Time Cook to join our Food Services team. In this role, you’ll prepare nutritious, high-quality meals for hospital patients, nursing home residents, assisted living residents, employees, and guests while maintaining the highest standards of food safety, sanitation, and customer service.

If you thrive in a fast-paced kitchen environment and take pride in preparing delicious meals, we’d love to have you on our team!

HMC Offers

• Excellent benefits — health, dental, vision, and life/disability insurance


• Quality childcare conveniently located on campus


• HMC Wellness Center membership


• 401(k) plan with employer match

Compensation

• Starting pay: $17.00 per hour

Position Summary

The Cook is responsible for preparing, cooking, and serving a variety of hot and cold food items according to standardized recipes, physician-ordered diets, and established food safety guidelines. This position supports meal service for breakfast, lunch, dinner, catering events, and other special functions while ensuring quality, presentation, sanitation, and customer satisfaction.

Essential Responsibilities

• Prepare and present high-quality meals according to menus, recipes, and therapeutic diet requirements.


• Prepare, season, cook, portion, and serve soups, meats, vegetables, desserts, and other menu items.


• Ensure food is prepared safely while maintaining appropriate temperatures throughout preparation and service.


• Follow standardized recipes and portion control guidelines.


• Assist with meal preparation, tray line, food service, and kitchen cleanup.


• Understand and prepare modified and therapeutic diets accurately.


• Monitor food quality, freshness, and presentation.


• Ensure adequate food and supplies are available to meet planned menu needs.


• Maintain compliance with all sanitation, infection prevention, HACCP, and food safety standards.


• Properly clean and sanitize kitchen equipment, food preparation areas, and workstations.


• Work collaboratively with dietary team members to provide exceptional service to patients, residents, visitors, and staff.


• Assist with catered events and special meal functions as needed.


• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED preferred.


• Previous cooking or institutional food service experience preferred.


• Food Handler Certification preferred but not required.


• Working knowledge of food preparation techniques and commercial kitchen equipment.


• Ability to read, understand, and prepare recipes independently.


• Knowledge of food safety, sanitation, and infection prevention practices.


• Strong organizational and time management skills.


• Ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced team environment.


• Excellent customer service and communication skills.


• Dependable, flexible, and committed to providing quality service.

Why Join HMC?

At Hopedale Medical Complex, our Food Services team plays an essential role in supporting the health and recovery of our patients and residents. We offer a welcoming team environment, opportunities for growth, competitive benefits, and the satisfaction of making a difference every day through exceptional service.

Pre-Employment Requirements
Employment is contingent upon successful completing:

• Federal and State criminal background checks.


• Drug and alcohol screening.

Hopedale Medical Complex tests for both illegal and legal substances, including cannabis (THC).