Cook - Temporary

Highgate Senior Living; Yakima (WA); On-site; USD 26,174 - 31,684; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible compensation package

Opportunities for internal promotions

Team-oriented work environment

Job summary

Join Highgate Senior Living in Yakima, WA as a Cook! This full-time position promotes a positive culinary experience for seniors and allows you to work with a supportive team. You'll create engaging meals in a joyful environment.

Ideal candidates will possess culinary skills, a passion for food, and the ability to adapt to seniors' needs. We offer competitive hourly wages and a supportive work culture.

Qualifications

• At least 21 years of age required.
• Combination of education and experience in culinary arts.
• Current negative TB test needed.
• Ability to pass background checks.
• Willingness to work in a healthcare environment.

Responsibilities

• Implement food and beverage program for residents.
• Create culinary experiences that engage all five senses.
• Work closely with the chef to enhance cooking skills.
• Promote a positive environment and community.

Skills

Confidence with seniors

Culinary innovation

Safety awareness

Food safety knowledge

Varied cooking techniques

Team player

Adaptability

Understanding of dementia

Education

Culinary arts education or experience

Job description

LOVE YOUR WORK. JOIN OUR TEAM.

A community, not a facility. As thought leaders in the industry, we take a positive, holistic approach to senior care and encourage independence, as people are happiest when they can make their own choices. We provide opportunities for physical activity, social engagement, intellectual stimulation, spiritual involvement, and fun. We treat our residents and our team members like family. This opportunity will allow you to positively impact the quality of life for over 700 seniors and their families.

COOK

Are you passionate about food? Looking for the next step in your culinary career? Up for a change of pace and fun work environment? If so, maybe this is an opportunity for you. We are looking for the right person to work with our culinarians to implement the food and beverage program for our residents. We specialize in assisted living and memory care. Highgate Senior Living's mission is to devote ourselves to help each resident live a life of purpose and each of us plays a crucial role in doing so. We operate communities in the western U.S. and are seeking the right Cook to join our team. Come help us create an environment that promotes a sense of well‑being and the feeling of true community in a gracious, homelike setting. This position is full‑time and is responsible for helping provide a culinary experience for our residents that engages all five senses in the most pleasant ways to nourish both the body and the soul.

The successful candidate will be motivated by service, an organized and detail‑oriented individual with a positive and self‑motivated attitude. You must have good communication skills and be willing to work hard. This can be a great opportunity for those individuals that have a passion for food creation and are looking for a new industry with an exciting career path. If you are tired of long nights, spending all weekend at work, and a high‑stress work environment, this may be just the change you need. Our industry needs heart‑driven, committed professionals that enjoy working in service to others while sharpening their skills and knowledge necessary for a long‑term, deeply satisfying profession. This is a great opportunity to train for the next step in your culinary career, as you’ll work side by side with the chef and learn new things in a positive environment. We support internal promotions for our team members. We also evaluate a person’s unique skill sets and recognize different levels of professional experience when considering candidates for the role.

Skills Needed

• Confidence to engage with seniors, individually and in groups, with different physical and cognitive ability levels
• Culinary skills that demonstrate innovation, creativity, and thoughtfulness
• Solid safety awareness in work habits and the ability to promote a safe work environment in the kitchen
• Awareness of food safety, infection control, and cleanliness standards
• Skilled in varied cooking techniques and the desire to teach and train others these skills
• Team player with ability to develop strong working relationships along with customer service focus
• Ability to adapt/respond quickly to the needs and preferences of our residents
• An understanding or the willingness to gain an understanding of the various forms of dementia and how to help residents with dementia still live with purpose

Relatable Experience

• Experiences where you have been involved in the production and delivery of a culinary program
• Past culinary roles where you have been asked to deliver highest quality service
• Culinary opportunities you had that include serving seniors or other vulnerable populations
• Previous culinary service‑based positions in healthcare, hospitality, or hotels
• Prior volunteer work or other work with vulnerable groups of people
• Internships and special programs or assignments that have honed your culinary skill set

Qualifications

1. At least 21 years of age
2. A combination of education and experience in the culinary arts
3. Current negative TB test
4. Knowledgeable in, or can quickly learn, various regulatory standards for the kitchen
5. Willingness to learn how to work in a healthcare/assisted living environment
6. Ability to pass criminal record/background check
7. Good time management skills
8. Must be able to work well independently with little oversight

As an organization we offer our team members a good benefits package, the ability to be heard, have their opinions count and the opportunity to innovate. Our compensation package will be flexible for this role based on the credentialing, tenure and skill sets each candidate brings for consideration. The starting hourly wage range for this position is $19.00 to $23.00 per hour. A passion for your work and a commitment to serving others are essential job qualifications. This is an opportunity to work in a booming industry that is constantly evolving and is making a positive impact for seniors every day. We are a healthcare company and being vaccinated against COVID‑19 is preferred. If you want to learn more about this opportunity, please reach out to connect with us.