Cook

Aviva West Hartford; West Hartford (CT); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical and prescription insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Paid time off accrued up to 15 days

Paid holidays

Employee Referral Program

Company-paid life insurance

Pet insurance available

Company-matching 401(k)

Daily pay / available pay advance

Job summary

Aviva Senior Living in West Hartford, CT is seeking a Cook to join our Dining Services team, preparing breakfast, lunch, and dinner for residents with quality and care.

You’ll follow menus, accommodate dietary needs, work in a team, maintain safety standards, and contribute to a welcoming dining experience for residents and families.

Qualifications

• 1–2 years of cooking/kitchen experience preferred.
• Experience in senior living, healthcare, or hospitality is a plus.
• ServSafe certification preferred or willingness to obtain.
• Ability to follow recipes and dietary requirements.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and cook breakfast, lunch, and dinner per planned menus.
• Maintain food safety standards and proper storage.
• Assist with inventory, deliveries, and waste tracking.
• Provide friendly, resident-centered service.
• Ensure meals are plated attractively.
• Coordinate with Dining Services Director as needed.
• Maintain clean and organized kitchen and stations.
• Assist with special events and dining occasions.
• Follow recipes and dietary requirements.
• Communicate with kitchen staff and servers.

Skills

Cooking experience

Food safety

Communication

Teamwork

Adaptability

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

ServSafe

Job description

COOK - SENIOR LIVING

Aviva Senior Living is hiring a Cook to join our Dining Services team! If you have experience as a Cook, Line Cook, Prep Cook, Kitchen Cook, Restaurant Cook, Dietary Cook, or Senior Living Cook and enjoy preparing great food in a welcoming environment, we want to meet you.

At Aviva Senior Living, dining is one of the highlights of our residents' day. Our Cooks play an important role in creating an exceptional dining experience by preparing fresh, delicious meals while providing friendly, dependable service to our residents.

Our senior living communities offer resort-style amenities, engaging social activities, and high-quality dining for residents in independent living, assisted living, and memory care.

If you are passionate about cooking, food preparation, hospitality, and serving seniors, this is an opportunity to put your culinary skills to work while making a difference every day.

SHIFT DETAILS

We are currently hiring a Cook to support various shifts in our community's kitchen and dining operation.

This position reports to the Dining Services Director. Depending on experience, the Cook may also assist with coordinating kitchen responsibilities and overseeing departmental work when the Dining Services Director is unavailable.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Prepare and cook breakfast, lunch, and dinner according to planned menus and recipes.

• Prepare high-quality meals in a senior living dining environment.

• Prepare meals for residents with special diets and dietary requirements.

• Perform food preparation and prep work for upcoming meals, special events, and dining services.

• Ensure meals are prepared, plated, and presented in an attractive and consistent manner.

• Follow proper food handling, food safety, sanitation, and kitchen procedures.

• Monitor food temperatures for hot and cold foods to ensure safe food service.

• Properly store, label, date, and rotate food according to food safety standards.

• Maintain clean and organized refrigerators, freezers, food storage areas, and kitchen workstations.

• Assist with food inventory, deliveries, and tracking food usage.

• Maintain a clean, safe, and sanitary kitchen environment.

• Follow proper procedures when using cleaning products and other potentially hazardous materials.

• Provide excellent customer service to residents, families, guests, and team members.

• Build positive relationships with residents and contribute to an enjoyable dining experience.

• Communicate effectively with other cooks, kitchen staff, servers, dining associates, and community leadership.

• Assist the Dining Services Director and culinary team with additional kitchen and dining responsibilities as needed.

QUALIFICATIONS

• High school diploma or GED preferred.

• 1-2 years of cooking, kitchen, restaurant, food service, or culinary experience preferred.

• Experience as a Cook, Line Cook, Prep Cook, Kitchen Cook, Restaurant Cook, Dietary Cook, or similar food service position preferred.

• Senior living, assisted living, healthcare, hospitality, restaurant, or commercial kitchen experience is a plus.

• ServSafe certification preferred, or willingness and ability to obtain certification.

• Knowledge of food preparation, food safety, sanitation, and proper food storage procedures.

• Ability to follow recipes, menus, dietary requirements, and written instructions.

• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced kitchen environment.

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

• Dependable and team-oriented.

• Ability to interact with seniors in a courteous, friendly, and respectful manner.

• Ability to safely prepare and handle food in accordance with company policies and applicable state and federal requirements.

WHY WORK AT AVIVA SENIOR LIVING?

Working in a senior living kitchen offers something different from many traditional restaurant Cook positions. You will have the opportunity to get to know the people you are cooking for and see firsthand how great food contributes to their quality of life.

You will join a team focused on creating an exceptional dining experience while working in a professional, resident-centered environment.

BENEFITS FOR FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES

• Medical and prescription insurance

• Dental insurance

• Vision insurance

• Paid time off accrued up to 15 days per year

• Paid holidays

• Employee Referral Program

• Company-paid life insurance

• Pet insurance available

• Company-matching 401(k)

• Daily pay / available pay advance

Aviva Senior Living has achieved designation as a Great Place to Work and is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a Drug-Free Workplace.

The final pay offered to a successful candidate will depend on several factors, which may include relevant experience, industry experience, education, qualifications, and other job-related considerations.