Cook

Hillcrest Health & Living; Papillion (NE); On-site; USD 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Health insurance plan options

Vision, dental, and life insurance

Tuition reimbursement and career‑growh

Dayforce Wallet

Gym membership reimbursement

Growth opportunities in mission-driven

Job summary

Hillcrest Health & Living is seeking a dependable Cook to join the culinary team at Hillcrest Country Estates Cottages in Papillion, NE. You will prepare and serve nutritious meals, follow menus and dietary guidelines.

Ideal candidates have line-cooking experience, knowledge of food safety, and the ability to work in a fast-paced kitchen. Previous experience in healthcare or senior living is helpful. A high school diploma is preferred.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent preferred.
• At least two years of hotel/restaurant line cooking experience preferred.
• Experience in skilled nursing or senior living helpful.
• Experience with therapeutic or texture-modified diets preferred.

Responsibilities

• Prepare meals meeting dietary needs and serve nutritious, appetizing meals.
• Follow approved menus, recipes, portion guidelines, and meal-service schedules.
• Maintain food safety, sanitation, and daily kitchen operations.
• Support room-service and ensure meals are presented accurately.
• Provide excellent service throughout the dining experience and keep the kitchen clean.

Skills

Line-cooking

Food safety

Teamwork

Communication

Electronic ordering system

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Electronic ordering system

Job description

Cook – Hillcrest Country Estates Cottages

Location: 6082 Grand Lodge Ave, Papillion, NE 68133

Service Line: Hillcrest Country Estates Cottages

Schedule: Full-Time

Hillcrest Health & Living is looking for a dependable, service-focused, and experienced Cook to join our culinary team at Hillcrest Country Estates Cottages in Papillion, NE.

Hillcrest Country Estates Cottages is part of the Hillcrest Country Estates campus and provides skilled nursing, long-term care, and post-acute support in a warm, home-like environment. Our cottage model allows team members to build meaningful relationships with residents, guests, families, and coworkers while providing personalized care and dining experiences.

At Hillcrest, our mission is simple: Inspiring people to live their best lives. As a Cook, you will prepare and serve nutritious, appealing meals while helping maintain a clean, safe, and welcoming culinary environment.

What You’ll Do

As a Cook, you will prepare meals that meet residents’ dietary needs and preferences while supporting food safety, sanitation, meal presentation, and daily kitchen operations.

• Prepare and serve nutritious, appetizing, and visually appealing meals.
• Follow approved menus, recipes, portion guidelines, and meal-service schedules.
• Understand and accommodate resident and guest dietary needs.
• Prepare meals according to prescribed diets, food textures, allergies, and fluid restrictions.
• Incorporate resident and guest preferences into meal preparation whenever possible.
• Ensure food is served at the appropriate temperature and presented attractively.
• Support room-service delivery and ensure meals are prepared and presented accurately.
• Provide excellent service throughout the dining experience.
• Follow safe food-handling practices to prevent foodborne illness.
• Maintain kitchen and dietary sanitation standards.
• Complete food-temperature, sanitation, and other required regulatory logs.
• Follow established cleaning schedules and maintain a clean, organized kitchen.
• Help ensure culinary duties are completed according to Hillcrest policies and applicable state and federal regulations.
• Oversee daily kitchen operations and help maintain a safe working environment.
• Use the electronic ordering system and other culinary technology as required.
• Support adequate culinary staffing and coverage within the Cottages.
• Participate in quality-improvement activities and help maintain readiness for sanitation and DHHS surveys.
• Support the culinary team with additional meal-service and operational responsibilities as assigned.

What We’re Looking For

We are looking for someone who takes pride in preparing quality meals and understands that dining is an important part of each resident’s day.

The right candidate will be dependable, organized, and comfortable working in a fast-paced kitchen. This role is a strong fit for someone who combines cooking experience with a genuine desire to serve aging adults.

Ideal Candidates Will Have

• Previous line-cooking, restaurant, hotel, healthcare, or senior living culinary experience.
• Knowledge of food preparation, meal presentation, sanitation, and safe food-handling practices.
• Experience preparing meals based on modified diets, food textures, allergies, or dietary restrictions.
• Strong attention to detail with recipes, portions, temperatures, dietary instructions, and sanitation logs.
• Ability to manage multiple meal-preparation priorities while maintaining quality and accuracy.
• A passion for preparing meals and serving aging adults.
• Strong accountability and consistent follow-through.
• Ability to remain calm, flexible, and professional during busy meal periods.
• Strong teamwork and communication skills.
• A service-focused approach with attention to resident and guest preferences.
• Basic computer skills and comfort using an electronic ordering system.
• A professional, respectful, and team-first attitude.

Education & Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent preferred.
• At least two years of hotel or restaurant line-cooking experience preferred.
• Previous household-style cooking experience preferred.
• Previous experience in skilled nursing, long-term care, senior living, healthcare, hospitality, or institutional food service is helpful.
• Experience preparing therapeutic or texture-modified diets is preferred.

Why Hillcrest?

At Hillcrest Country Estates Cottages, meals are more than food—they are an important part of each resident’s comfort, routine, health, and quality of life.

As a Cook, you will have the opportunity to use your culinary skills to create meals that are nutritious, appealing, and personalized to resident needs. Your work will directly support positive dining experiences while helping residents feel comfortable and at home.

This is a great opportunity for someone who enjoys cooking, values meaningful relationships, and wants to make a difference through dependable service and quality food.

What Hillcrest Offers

• Competitive compensation.
• Multiple health insurance plan options.
• Vision, dental, and life insurance.
• Professional development support, including tuition reimbursement, certifications, and career-growth programs.
• Dayforce Wallet, allowing you to choose when you get paid.
• Gym membership reimbursement and partner discounts.
• Opportunities to grow within a mission-driven senior care organization.

Physical & Other Requirements

• Must be able to speak, read, and write English.
• Must be able to independently lift up to 35 pounds.
• Must be able to perform repetitive bending, standing, walking, reaching, lifting, and movement as needed.
• Must be able to stand and move throughout the majority of the shift.
• Must be flexible, calm, and professional in stressful or changing situations.
• Must be able to work in a fast-paced environment with strong attention to detail.
• Must follow food-safety, sanitation, infection-prevention, and regulatory requirements.
• Must be able to utilize technology, culinary systems, and workplace resources efficiently and effectively.
• Must be able to follow cleaning schedules and maintain a clean and safe work environment.
• Other duties as assigned.