Cook - Arete Desert Sage Retirement ALF

Avamere Skilled Advisors, LLC d/b/a Avamere Living in; Bend (OR); On-site; USD 36,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

401(k) Retirement Plan

PTO & Holidays

EAP Canopy

HSA/FSA options

Voluntary Insurance

Job summary

Avamere Skilled Advisors, LLC d/b/a Avamere Living is seeking a Cook for Arete Desert Sage Retirement in Bend, OR. The cook will prepare nutritious meals for residents across care levels, ensure dietary restrictions are met, and uphold sanitation and safety standards.

The role requires ServSafe and food handler certification, 2–3 years of kitchen experience, and the ability to adapt menus for memory care. It offers full-time hours with a daytime schedule and weekend availability.

Qualifications

• 2-3 years of Cook experience; Hospital or Healthcare facility experience preferred.
• Current ServSafe Manager certification (or willingness to obtain within 30 days of hire).
• Ability to read, write, and follow directions and to follow recipes and production sheets.
• Requires a current Food Handler's card issued by local Health Department.
• Knowledge of high standards of food preparation, sanitation, and safe storage with on-the-job training.
• Demonstrates initiative and sound judgment in planning meals and using leftovers.

Responsibilities

• Execute daily menus for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, ensuring food is visually appealing, properly seasoned, and served at the correct temperature.
• Prepare alternative menu options and snacks for residents with changing appetites.
• Adapt recipes to meet dietary needs (low-sodium, diabetic-friendly, vegetarian, texture-modified).
• Maintain a calm, inviting dining environment to encourage socialization and appetite.

Skills

Cook experience

Attention to detail

Sanitation standards

Team collaboration

Job description

Avamere Skilled Advisors, LLC d/b/a Avamere Living

Cook - Arete Desert Sage Retirement ALF (Finance)

Description:

Cook

Status: Full-Time

Schedule: 9 am - 6:30 pm Various schedule, Weekend availability needed

Location: Arete at Desert Sage Retirement - 1010 NE Purcell Blvd, Bend, OR 97701

Job Summary

The Cook will be responsible for preparing nutritious, flavorful meals for residents across varying levels of care. You will ensure compliance with dietary restrictions, maintain impeccable sanitation standards, and create a warm, dignified dining experience that feels like home.

Essential Duties and Job Responsibilities

• Execute daily menus for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, ensuring food is visually appealing, properly seasoned, and served at the correct temperature.
• Prepare alternative menu options and snacks as needed for residents with changing appetites.
• Adapt recipes to meet specific dietary needs (e.g., low-sodium, diabetic-friendly, vegetarian, and texture-modified diets like puréed or mechanical soft).
• Understand and accommodate the unique dining challenges of memory care residents (e.g., finger foods, enhanced flavors, and flexible dining times).
• Create a calm, structured, and inviting dining environment that encourages socialization and appetite stimulation.
• Adhere to strict food safety, handling, and storage regulations (ServSafe guidelines).
• Ensure the kitchen, prep areas, and dishwashing stations are cleaned and sanitized at the end of every shift.
• Monitor and log food and refrigerator temperatures daily to guarantee quality control.
• Maintain a resident-first approach, actively seeking feedback and building relationships to understand individual preferences.
• Collaborate with the Dietary/Dining Services Director and nursing staff to ensure care plans align with resident diets.
• Maintain the highest standards of kitchen cleanliness, food storage, and equipment maintenance in accordance with ServSafe and local health department codes.
• Perform all other duties as assigned.

Requirements and Qualifications

• 2-3 years of Cook experience: Hospital or Healthcare facility experience preferred.
• Current ServSafe Manager certification (or willingness to obtain within 30 days of hire).
• Ability to read, write, and follow oral and written directions and pay close attention to details in order to follow and calculate recipes and production sheets, and to pay constant attention to cooking and the timing of foods.
• Requires a current Food Handlers card issued by local Health Department
• Demonstrated knowledge of high standards of food preparation, sanitation, hygienic methods of food preparation and storage, and safety with formal on-the-job training, and approximately one year of experience in quantity food preparation in order to have the necessary technical skills to maintain high standards of food preparation.
• Demonstrates initiative and sound judgment in setting up meals and utilizing leftovers.
• Demonstrates competency in operating kitchen equipment.
• Interpersonal skills are necessary to establish effective relationships with department workers, supervisors, and with other departments.
• Maintain confidentiality of all resident care information.
• A genuine desire to improve the quality of life for seniors.
• Create and uphold an atmosphere of warmth, patience, enthusiasm, and a calm and cheerful environment.

Benefits

We believe caring for others starts with caring for our own teams. Our benefits are designed to support your well-being, growth, and peace of mind-so you can focus on making a difference every day.

• Health Insurance: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans. Low individual and family deductible. - Benefits eligible at 30+ hours/week.
• 401(k) Retirement Plan with discretionary employer match
• Paid Time Off (PTO) and Premium Pay for Holidays worked, conditions apply
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Canopy: Free, confidential support for mental health, stress, family needs & work/life balance
• Health Savings Account (HSA), Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) options and CERA (Commuter Expense Reimbursement Account)
• Voluntary & Supplemental Insurance Options: Voluntary Life and AD&D, Short- and Long-Term Disability, plus Whole Life, Accident, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity, and Legal Services.

Avamere is an Equal Opportunity Employer and participates in E-Verify.