Cook

Heritage Senior Living; Oshkosh (WI); On-site; USD 36,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Paid time off

Paid holidays

Retirement savings opportunities

Employee assistance and wellness

Training and development

Job summary

Heritage Senior Living in Oshkosh, WI is seeking a dependable Cook to prepare and serve meals that enhance daily resident experiences. You’ll follow menus, ensure safety, and work with a team to deliver a warm dining atmosphere.

Ideal candidates have food-service experience, attention to portioning and presentation, and a commitment to sanitation and resident satisfaction. Weekend availability may be required to meet resident needs.

Qualifications

• Experience in food-service or culinary settings.
• Ability to read and follow recipes, menus and dietary instructions.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Good judgment, problem-solving and communication abilities.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and cook meals according to menus and production standards.
• Follow portioning, presentation and serving methods.
• Ensure safety, sanitation, and timely meal service.
• Assist with special events and resident activities.

Skills

Cooking

Food safety

Teamwork

Time management

Customer service

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Cook With Purpose. Serve With Heart. Make a Difference.

Do you love preparing great food and knowing your work makes someone’s day better?

Heritage Senior Living is looking for a dependable and passionate Cook to join our culinary team. This is an opportunity to use your cooking skills in an environment where meals are more than food—they’re an important part of our residents’ daily experience.

As a Cook, you’ll prepare and serve delicious, appealing meals while getting to know the residents you serve. If you take pride in your food, value a clean and organized kitchen, and enjoy being part of a team, we’d love to meet you!

What You’ll Do

Reporting to the Executive Chef and working closely with the culinary team, the Cook is responsible for food preparation, meal service, dietary compliance, sanitation, and helping create an exceptional dining experience for residents and guests.

Prepare Great Food

• Prepare and cook meals according to established menus, recipes, and production standards.
• Follow proper portioning, presentation, and serving methods.
• Prepare meals according to resident preferences, special dietary needs, and applicable dietary instructions.
• Ensure food is prepared and served safely, accurately, and on time.
• Monitor food quality, temperatures, appearance, and presentation throughout preparation and service.
• Follow direction from the Executive Chef and Sous Chef regarding daily production and culinary operations.
• Assist with food preparation for special events, celebrations, and resident activities.

Create a Great Dining Experience

• Provide friendly and attentive service to residents and guests.
• Interact with residents during meal service and help monitor dining satisfaction.
• Respond professionally to resident requests and communicate concerns to the appropriate team member.
• Help create meals residents can look forward to each day.
• Work collaboratively with the culinary team and other departments to provide an exceptional resident experience.

Keep the Kitchen Safe & Organized

• Follow Heritage Senior Living food-safety, sanitation, and infection-control practices.
• Comply with applicable state and local food-service and health department requirements.
• Maintain clean, sanitary, and organized food-preparation and kitchen areas.
• Follow established cleaning schedules and infection-control procedures.
• Properly label, date, rotate, and store food products.
• Follow appropriate food rotation and storage practices to maintain quality and reduce waste.
• Monitor inventory and communicate food and supply needs to the Executive Chef.
• Monitor kitchen equipment and report maintenance or safety concerns promptly.
• Assist with monitoring dishwasher temperatures and chemical levels as needed.
• Complete or assist with required food-safety, temperature, cleaning, and other department documentation.

What We’re Looking For

We're looking for someone who takes pride in preparing good food and providing great service.

The ideal Cook is dependable, organized, able to manage multiple priorities, and comfortable working in a fast-paced kitchen environment. Just as importantly, you should enjoy working with older adults and understand that every meal is an opportunity to make a resident's day a little better.

You may be a great fit if you:

• Enjoy cooking and take pride in the food you prepare.
• Pay attention to taste, quality, portioning, and presentation.
• Understand the importance of food safety and sanitation.
• Can follow menus, recipes, and dietary instructions.
• Stay organized and manage your time effectively.
• Can multitask and adjust to changing priorities.
• Have good judgment and problem-solving skills.
• Enjoy working collaboratively as part of a culinary team.
• Bring a positive attitude and strong customer-service mindset to work.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent preferred.
• Food-service or culinary certification is a plus.
• Previous food preparation or cooking experience required.
• Senior living, healthcare, institutional food service, hospitality, or restaurant experience preferred.
• Ability to read and follow recipes, menus, food labels, dietary instructions, and safety procedures.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills.
• Good judgment, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.
• Strong communication and customer-service skills.
• Understanding of or willingness to learn sanitation and infection-control practices.
• Ability to work collaboratively with coworkers and community team members.
• Ability to meet applicable pre-employment, training, and regulatory requirements.

Benefits & Perks

At Heritage Senior Living, we know great resident experiences start with great employees. Depending on employment status, scheduled hours, and eligibility requirements, benefits and perks may include:

• Competitive pay
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid time off
• Paid holidays and/or holiday pay
• Retirement savings opportunities
• Employee assistance and wellness resources
• Training and development opportunities
• Other…

Benefit availability and eligibility may vary based on employment status, scheduled hours, location, plan requirements, and other applicable criteria.

Why Heritage Senior Living?

Cooking in senior living gives you something a traditional kitchen often can't—the opportunity to know the people you're cooking for.

You'll learn residents' favorites, help celebrate birthdays and holidays, prepare familiar comfort foods, and become part of the experiences they look forward to each day.

Your attention to detail matters. Your food matters. And the care you put into every meal matters.

At Heritage Senior Living, you're not just preparing meals—you're helping create a place that feels like home.

If you're a dependable Cook who takes pride in great food, excellent service, and being part of a strong team, we'd love to hear from you.

Essential Functions & Physical Requirements

• Communicate effectively with residents, guests, and team members.
• Read and follow recipes, menus, dietary instructions, food labels, safety information, and required documentation.
• Stand and walk for extended periods throughout the workday.
• Bend, reach, stoop, kneel, push, pull, and perform movements necessary for food preparation and kitchen duties.
• Regularly lift, carry, and move items weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Safely handle food, cookware, utensils, kitchen equipment, and cleaning supplies.
• Perform hands-on food preparation, cooking, portioning, plating, and meal service.
• Work safely around heat, steam, hot surfaces, sharp utensils, cleaning products, wet surfaces, and temperature changes.
• Maintain regular and reliable attendance.
• Work a flexible schedule based on resident and community needs, including weekends, holidays, and additional hours as needed.

Heritage Senior Living is an equal opportunity employer. Employment is subject to applicable pre-employment, training, and ongoing requirements in accordance with federal and state law.