Cook

Mather-5; Wilmette (IL); On-site; USD 30,000 - 33,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

PTO program

401(k) with employer match

Parking or transit subsidies

Wellness Spending Account

Medical, dental, and vision plans

Job summary

Mather Place is seeking a skilled Cook for a from-scratch kitchen in Wilmette, IL. This part-time role (30 hours/week) supports delivering fresh, high‑quality meals across our luxury senior living residence with a focus on creativity and teamwork.

You’ll work in an evolving kitchen, follow recipes and safety standards, and enjoy competitive hourly pay and a comprehensive benefits package. Flexibility for weeknights, weekends, and holidays is required.

Qualifications

• Knowledge and understanding of cooking techniques.
• Prior experience in a high-quality restaurant, country club, hotel, or senior living company.
• Ability to follow standardized recipes and communicate with staff and residents.
• Ability to operate kitchen equipment safely.
• Reliable, punctual attendance.

Responsibilities

• Prepare food with care, consistency, and attention to detail.
• Follow recipes and safety standards.
• Contribute to a positive, team-oriented kitchen.
• Support residents with high quality dining experiences.

Skills

Cooking techniques

Teamwork

Communication

Punctual attendance

Job description

Join a multiple‑award‑winning workplace as a skilled and adaptable Cook in a fast‑paced, from‑scratch kitchen environment where creativity, quality, and teamwork come together. Our culinary team prepares fresh, high‑quality meals daily for multiple restaurants within our luxury senior living residence—and no two days (or menus) are ever the same.

In this role, you’ll work in an ever‑evolving kitchen where menus and recipes change regularly, offering the opportunity to grow your skills, stay inspired, and be part of an innovative culinary culture. You’ll help create memorable dining experiences for residents by preparing food with care, consistency, and attention to detail—while upholding the highest standards of quality, safety, and hospitality.

We offer competitive hourly pay, full benefits, on‑the‑job perks, and paid skills‑training opportunities, all within a supportive, people‑first workplace. This is a part-time hourly position (30 hours a week). Flexibility to work weeknights, weekends, and holidays is required.

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

Required:

• Knowledge and understanding of cooking techniques.
• Prior experience within a high-quality restaurant, country club, hotel or senior living company preferred
• Ability to communicate with supervisors, co-workers, residents, and guests and to follow standardized recipes.
• Able to operate kitchen equipment and tools found within the hospitality/health care industry.
• Effective written communication skills, and the ability to read and interpret instructions.
• Reliable, predictable, and punctual attendance, to provide timely service to internal and external customers and to support uninterrupted business operations.
• Must be sensitive to the needs of older adults and enjoy working with a senior population.
• Ability to work productively in a team environment

Preferred:

• Formal culinary training.
• Prior experience within a high-quality restaurant, country club, hotel, or senior living company preferred.
• Basic knowledge of therapeutic diets, recipe ingredients, adherence to heart healthy guidelines and other dietary restrictions.
• Shifts vary, flexible in scheduling is preferred.

#INDM123

The hourly base wage range provided is a good faith estimate of what Mather reasonably expects to pay for this position at the time of the posting. The actual hourly rate offered will be determined based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to relevant skills, certifications, years of experience, geographic location, and current market conditions. At Mather, we are committed to being inclusive, resilient, bold, and impactful—and that includes offering a total rewards experience designed to support our team members. This position may be eligible to participate in Mather’s benefit plan and the Team Member Appreciation Fund, if applicable. Eligibility for benefits is dependent on employment status and hours worked per pay period. Participation in the Team member Appreciation Fund is not guaranteed and may vary based on factors such as hire date and program eligibility requirements. All benefits are subject to change without notice.

Hourly Pay Range

$21.50 - $24 USD

Mather offers a competitive benefits package.*

Team members are eligible for:

• A generous paid time off (PTO) program including vacation days/personal days, sick days, and holidays. This is an “earn-as-you-go” plan that rolls over year to year, offering long- and short-term flexibility.
• A 401(k) program with per pay-period employer match and annual employer contribution (available to those age 21 or better)
• Convenient, subsidized parking (or public transportation for certain locations)
• Wellness Spending Account: up to $300 available annually for Wellness related expenses such as gym memberships, financial planning, etc.

Benefits-eligible team members can take advantage of:

• Medical, dental, and vision plans
• Adoption Assistance Reimbursement
• Tuition reimbursement for continuing education
• Extended illness benefits
• Employee wellness programs
• Short- and long-term disability insurance
• Life insurance is available to benefit eligible team members.

*Benefits are subject to change without notice. Benefits details dependent on employment status.

About Mather Place

Mather Place is an independent living rental community for those 62 and better, located in the heart of Chicago’s North Shore in Wilmette, Illinois—a short walk from Old Orchard shopping center. Mather Place includes 179 independent living apartment homes, as well as two restaurants, a fitness center, an art studio, a library, and more.

Mather Place is located at 2801 Old Glenview Road in Wilmette.

About Mather

Based in Evanston, Illinois, Mather is a unique, non‑denominational, not‑for‑profit organization founded in 1941. Dedicated to developing and implementing Ways to Age Well SM , we create programs, places, and residences for today’s young‑at‑heart older adults. Mather has received a national certification as a Great Place to Work (R) , and has been selected as a Nation’s Best and Brightest in Wellness Award recipient four years in a row.

Mather is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer committed to an inclusive workforce. Candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.