COOK

Sodalis Senior Living; Temple (TX); On-site; USD 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Sodalis Senior Living is seeking a Cook to assist the Culinary Director in preparing meals per approved menus and regulatory standards. You will ensure timely service at 8 am, Noon, and 5 PM, follow recipes, and maintain safety and cleanliness in a senior living environment.

The role requires compassionate service to frail elderly residents, knowledge of ADA diets, and the ability to manage leftovers, inventories, and portions.

Qualifications

• Must have compassion to meet nutritional needs of the frail elderly
• General knowledge of basic food groups
• Ability to read and follow a recipe
• Knowledge of food preparation, sanitation and hygienic methods
• Ability to cook a variety of foods
• Familiar with cooking times and seasonings
• Knowledge of low sodium, low cholesterol, and ADA diets
• Desire to serve food that is palatable and visually appealing
• Ability to work cooperatively with staff, residents and families
• Independent work capability
• Handle complaints graciously and take correction maturely
• Honest and trustworthy
• Food handlers' certificate or willingness to acquire within two weeks of employment

Responsibilities

• Report to work on time as scheduled
• React productively to schedule changes
• Identify safety hazards and report or correct
• Prepare and serve meals at specified times
• Follow written menus and suggest improvements
• Label, date and store leftovers properly
• Follow state and local food service regulations
• Provide attentive, kind service to residents
• Eliminate food waste
• Check food and supply inventories weekly and submit lists
• Know residents' food likes and dislikes
• Daily clean kitchen, dining room, and pantry
• Prioritize portion control and cost, reduce waste
• Work with cleaning products safely
• Perform additional tasks as assigned by management
• Line of Authority: Cook reports to Community Executive Director
• 1 year cooking experience in Assisted Living or Senior Living is a plus
• Licenses & Certifications: Safe Food Handler

Skills

Compassion for elderly

Food safety knowledge

Ability to follow recipes

Teamwork

Attention to detail

Flexibility

Communication with residents/families

Education

Food Handler Certificate

Tools

Food service equipment knowledge

Job description

The Cook assists the Culinary Director in preparing food in accordance with the approved menu, current standards, guidelines, and regulations.

Primary Responsibilities:

1. Report to work on time every day asscheduled and ready to carry out duties.

2. Must be able to react to changes in schedules in a productive manner.

3. Must be alert and able to identify a safety hazard, should one occur, in order to avoid it and to report it immediately to the appropriate person or, if directed, to take corrective measures to eliminate the hazard.

4. Prepare and serve meals at 8 am, Noon, and 5 PM. (times subject to change)

5. Be able to follow written menus and make menu suggestions, using all food groups.

6. Make sure all usable leftovers are covered, labeled, dated and stored in proper place.

7. Know state and local food service regulations i.e. including but not inclusive to:

• Keep thermometers in place and follow state regulations regarding temps.
• Any food product out of original wrapping is dated and labeled
• Be aware and follow all state required rules regarding preparation, storage, service and planning of all foods.
• Know proper cleaning procedures

8. Making mealtimes enjoyable by being attentive to the needs of the residents, treating them with kindness.

9. Eliminate food waste.

10. Participate in checking food and supply inventories weeklyandsubmitting list in a timely manner.

11. Know resident'sfood likes and dislikes so as not to serve meals not preferred.

12. Daily clean kitchen, dining room, and pantry.

13. Make a priority of portion control and cost; eliminate waste.

14. Must be able to work with various products such as cleansers, bleach and cleaning fluids.

15. Perform additional tasks as assigned by management or as the situation requires.

Qualifications:

1. Must have compassion and a desire to meet the nutritional needs of the frail elderly.

2. Must have a general knowledge of basic food groups.

3. Ability to read and follow a recipe.

4. Knowledge of food preparation, sanitation, and hygienic methods.

5. Be able to cook a variety of foods.

6. Be familiar with cooking times and seasonings.

7. Knowledge of low sodium, low cholesterol, and ADA diets.

8. Have a desire to serve food that is palatable and pleasing in appearance.

9. Ability to work cooperatively with staff, residents, and families.

10. Must be able to function in an independent work environment.

11. Must be able to handle complaints graciously and to take correction maturely.

12. Must be honest and trustworthy.

13. Must have food handlers' certificate or be able and willing to acquire within first two weeks of employment.

Physical /Sensory Requirements:

1. Stands and walks short distances most of the working day.

2. Stoops, reaches, and lifts kitchen equipment and supplies.

3. Handles and manipulates equipment in supervising, demonstrating and assisting food preparation and serving.

4. Tastes and smells food to determine its quality and palatability.

5. Must be in good general health and demonstrate emotional stability.

6. Must be able to relate to and work with ill disabled elderly, emotionally upset and, at times hostile people.

7. May be required to lift, push, pull, and move equipment,supplies, etc., in excess of 50 lbs.

8. Must be able to assist in the evacuation of residents.

9. Must function independently, have flexibility, personal integrity, and the ability to work effectively with the residents, personnel and support agencies.

Equipment Used:

Including, but not limited to; Electric oven, flat ceramic cook top, convection oven, dishwashers, sanitizer and cooking utensils.

Mission Statement and Core Values:

Sodalis Senior Living is committed to “Making a difference in the lives of our residents, their loved ones and our colleagues every day.” Our core values describe who we are and define how we live.

1. Service– “It’s not about me” a. Answer the needs of another.

• Put the needs of another first. We must put others before ourselves.
• We serve our residents, we serve our families, and we serve one another.

2. Integrity– “We do what is right, not what is easy” a. Never compromise your integrity

• Hold everyone accountable and recognize each other’s contributions
• Explicitly communicate goals and standards of behavior
• Do the right thing even when no one is looking or will ever find out

3. Dignity– “We honor & value the worth of people” a. Treat people the way you want to be treated

• Attack the problem not the person
• Respect and value diversity of experience, culture, and opinions

4.Excellence– “We always give our best” a. Doing your best to serve our residents, their loved ones, and our colleagues.

5. Teamwork– “We succeed together” a. We are a team because we respect, trust and care for one another.

• Common purpose – we need to all row in the same direction
• Create an environment that facilitates freedom to innovate & achieve extraordinary results
• Challenge the status quo, take measured risks, and resist conventional thinking
• Learn to win and lose as a team

Line of Authority:

The Cook reports directly to the Community Executive Director.

Dedicated

Devoted to a task or purpose with loyalty or integrity

Innovative

Consistently introduces new ideas and demonstrates original thinking

Team Player

Works well as a member of a group

Self-Starter

Inspired to perform without outside help

1 year

Cooking experience in settings such as Assisted Living or Senior Living facilities is a plus.

Licenses & Certifications

Safe Food Handler

Equal Opportunity Employer
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