Cook - Highlands Dining

Sunnyside Communities; Harrisonburg (VA); On-site; USD 32,000 - 44,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid time off

Retirement plan

Job summary

Located on Sunnyside’s 150+ scenic acres in Harrisonburg, Sunnyside Communities seeks a dedicated Cook for our on-site restaurant. You will prepare nourishing meals, follow recipes, and collaborate with a kitchen team to ensure quality dining experiences for residents.

Responsibilities include cooking, plating, safe food handling, and assisting in kitchen tasks. A reliable, customer-focused attitude and willingness to work evenings/rotating weekends are key.

Qualifications

• Prior cooking experience in a restaurant or dining services is preferred.
• Serve Safe Certification (or ability to obtain).
• Ability to read, scale, and follow recipes accurately.
• Excellent time management and multitasking skills.
• Comfortable with varying volumes of service and timelines.
• Strong communication skills and team collaboration.
• A positive, service-oriented attitude toward residents and coworkers.
• Willingness to maintain a clean, safe kitchen environment at all times.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and cook a variety of foods using established recipes and portion standards.
• Ensure food is served at the proper temperature and plated attractively.
• Follow safe food handling practices, sanitation procedures, and kitchen protocols.
• Set up and stock stations as needed for service.
• Perform food prep tasks (e.g., chopping, portioning, sauces, soups, etc.).
• Assist in dishwashing and kitchen cleanup as needed.
• Label, date, and rotate food items using FIFO.
• Monitor inventory and stock deliveries as assigned.
• Report directly to and take direction from the Sous Chef and/or Executive Chef.
• Work special events or functions as needed.
• Support and help train new team members.
• Commitment to cleanliness, consistency, and safety.
• Maintain a positive, resident-focused attitude at all times.

Skills

Sanitation

Time management

Teamwork

Communication

Serve Safe

Recipe following

Food prep

Job description

Description

Location: 3935 Sunnyside Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22801
Schedule: Full-Time| Evening Shift | 10 am-7 pm | Monday-Friday | Rotating Weekends + Shift Differential!

Enjoy a supportive team, a consistent schedule, and the chance to serve delicious meals with purpose!

Position Overview & General Responsibilities

We’re looking for passionate, reliable team members who love to cook and care about the people they serve. As a Cook at Sunnyside’s on-site restaurant, you’ll prepare high-quality, nourishing meals. Our residents look forward to mealtimes, and you’ll play a key role in making each dining experience special. Whether you're sautéing, baking, prepping, or plating, you’ll be part of a collaborative kitchen team dedicated to great food, excellent service, and meaningful daily interactions.

• Prepare and cook a variety of foods using established recipes and portion standards
• Ensure food is served at the proper temperature and plated attractively
• Follow safe food handling practices, sanitation procedures, and kitchen protocols
• Set up and stock stations as needed for service
• Perform food prep tasks (e.g., chopping, portioning, sauces, soups, etc.)
• Assist in dishwashing and kitchen cleanup as needed
• Label, date, and rotate food items using FIFO (First In, First Out)
• Monitor inventory and stock deliveries as assigned
• Report directly to and take direction from the Sous Chef and/or Executive Chef
• Work special events or functions as needed
• Support and help train new team members
• Commitment to cleanliness, consistency, and safety
• Maintain a positive, respectful, resident-focused attitude at all times

Requirements

• Prior cooking experience in a restaurant or dining services is preferred
• Serve Safe Certification (or ability to obtain)
• Ability to read, scale, and follow recipes accurately
• Excellent time management and multitasking skills
• Comfortable with varying volumes of service and timelines
• Strong communication skills and team collaboration
• A positive, service-oriented attitude toward residents and coworkers
• Willingness to maintain a clean, safe kitchen environment at all times

In addition to a rewarding career opportunity, we offer an excellent benefits package, including:

• Personal Leave
• Paid Sick Leave
• Paid Vacation Leave
• Paid Holidays
• Choice of 3 Medical Plans, Including an HSA Option
• Prescription Drug Coverage
• Dental Coverage
• Vision Coverage
• Company Paid Life Insurance
• Company Paid Short-term Disability Insurance
• Company Paid Long-term Disability Insurance
• Flexible Spending Account
• 401(k) Plan with Company Match
• Supplemental Life, Accident & Cancer Insurance
• Tuition Assistance
• Uniform Reimbursement
• License Reimbursement
• MD Ortho – Free Telemedicine & Direct Orthopedic Services
• Garner Health – Expert Doctor Matching & Healthcare Savings
• Free membership to our on-site wellness center
• On-Site Credit Union
• On-Site Hair Salon
• On-Site Massage Therapy & Esthetician Services
• Discounted Movie Tickets
• Employee Emergency Relief Fund
• Employee Assistance Program

Ready to Love Where You Work?

Located on 150+ scenic acres in the Shenandoah Valley, Sunnyside is more than a workplace—it’s a warm, welcoming community where you can grow, thrive, and make a difference every day.

Physical & Environmental Considerations

This job operates indoors in a general kitchen and dining room environment with varying floor surfaces.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. The employee is frequently required to routinely sit, stand, reach, lift, bend, kneel, stoop, climb, push, and pull items weighing 30 lbs or less and occasionally more than 40 lbs. The position requires manual dexterity, auditory and visual skills, and the ability to follow written and oral instructions and procedures. General hazards related to the operation of kitchen equipment, as well as exposure to sanitizing and cleaning chemicals and wet floor surfaces, require slip-resistant shoes. Minimal hazards if universal precautions are followed.