Kitchen Aide

Paycom - ATS; San Antonio (TX); On-site; USD 23,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

Wholehearted Senior Living – Oakwell in San Antonio, TX is seeking a dependable Kitchen Aide to support food preparation and dining service for residents in our assisted living and memory care community. You will work with the Kitchen Lead to prepare meals, serve residents, and maintain a clean kitchen while following each resident’s dietary instructions.

This role emphasizes safe food handling, punctual meal service, and respectful, patient interaction with residents.

Qualifications

• Kitchen, food service, senior living, healthcare, or hospitality experience preferred.
• Ability to read and follow menus, recipes, labels, cleaning instructions, and resident dietary guidance.
• Basic understanding of safe food handling practices.
• Food Handler certification, or ability to obtain it as required.
• Strong attention to detail, especially when preparing meals for residents with dietary restrictions.
• Ability to work cooperatively with the Kitchen Lead, caregivers, med techs, and community leadership.
• Reliable attendance and ability to manage several tasks during meal service.

Responsibilities

• Assist the Kitchen Lead with meal preparation and service.
• Follow approved recipes, portion sizes, and plating to ensure consistency.
• Review dietary instructions before serving and confirm any unclear items.
• Serve meals on schedule and communicate delays or issues.
• Prepare and deliver meals for residents eating in their rooms.
• Maintain cleanliness of kitchen, counters, equipment, and dining surfaces.
• Assist with inventory, receiving deliveries, and restocking as needed.

Skills

Kitchen experience

Food safety

Meal service

Teamwork

Attention to detail

Reliability

Reading menus

Job description

Kitchen AideLocation: Wholehearted Senior Living – Oakwell, San Antonio, TXPosition type: Full-time or part-timeReports to: Kitchen Lead and Community LeadershipSchedule: Assigned shifts may include mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidaysPosition SummaryWholehearted Senior Living is seeking a dependable Kitchen Aide to support food preparation and dining service for residents in our assisted living and memory care community. The Kitchen Aide works closely with the Kitchen Lead to prepare meals, serve residents, maintain a clean kitchen, and follow each resident’s dietary instructions.Meals are an important part of our residents’ daily routines. We are looking for someone who takes pride in serving food that is safe, appealing, and on time, and who treats residents with patience and respect.Essential ResponsibilitiesMeal Preparation and ServiceAssist the Kitchen Lead with preparing breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, and beverages according to the daily menu.Complete assigned preparation tasks, such as washing produce, measuring ingredients, assembling plates, and setting up serving areas.Follow approved recipes, portion sizes, and plating instructions to provide consistent meals.Review dietary instructions before preparing or serving food, including allergies, restrictions, and modified food textures.Confirm any unclear dietary instruction with the Kitchen Lead or appropriate supervisor before serving a resident.Serve meals at the scheduled times and communicate promptly if a delay or supply issue may affect service.Prepare and deliver meals for residents who eat in their rooms according to community procedures.Assist with dining room setup before meals and cleanup afterward.Respond courteously to reasonable resident requests and share feedback about food preferences with the Kitchen Lead.Food Safety and SanitationFollow food safety procedures for handwashing, glove use, preventing cross-contamination, and handling ready-to-eat food.Check and record food temperatures as directed.Store hot and cold food at appropriate temperatures during preparation and service.Label, date, rotate, and store food and ingredients according to community procedures.Wash dishes, utensils, cookware, and serving equipment after use.Clean and sanitize counters, preparation areas, equipment, carts, and dining surfaces.Complete assigned daily, weekly, and closing cleaning tasks.Report broken equipment, pest concerns, food quality issues, or unsafe conditions promptly.Kitchen Organization and TeamworkHelp receive food and supply deliveries and put items away promptly and correctly.Check inventory as assigned and notify the Kitchen Lead when food, beverages, or supplies are running low.Keep refrigerators, freezers, dry storage areas, and workstations neat and organized.Follow the Kitchen Lead’s direction while managing assigned tasks independently.Communicate with caregivers and med techs when meal service needs coordination, while keeping resident information private.Assist other team members during busy meal periods and help prepare the kitchen for the next shift.Participate in training and follow updated menus, recipes, and community procedures.Resident Care and Professional ExpectationsTreat every resident with dignity, patience, and kindness.Use a calm, respectful approach when serving residents living with dementia.Respect residents’ preferences while following their documented dietary instructions.Report concerns about a resident’s meal or food intake to the appropriate care team member; do not change a resident’s diet independently.Protect resident privacy and discuss resident information only with staff who need it to perform their work.Arrive on time, follow the assigned schedule, and communicate attendance concerns as early as possible.Maintain a clean, professional appearance and follow community policies.QualificationsKitchen, food service, senior living, healthcare, or hospitality experience preferred.Ability to read and follow menus, recipes, labels, cleaning instructions, and resident dietary guidance.Basic understanding of safe food handling practices.Food Handler certification, or ability to obtain it as required.Strong attention to detail, especially when preparing meals for residents with dietary restrictions.Ability to work cooperatively with the Kitchen Lead, caregivers, med techs, and community leadership.Reliable attendance and ability to manage several tasks during meal service.Physical RequirementsThis position involves standing and walking for much of the shift; bending, reaching, and carrying supplies; and working around kitchen equipment and temperature changes. The Kitchen Aide must be able to perform the essential duties of the role, with reasonable accommodation when applicable.What Success Looks LikeA successful Kitchen Aide helps meals run smoothly and on schedule. Resident meals match their dietary instructions, food and dining areas are clean, supplies are organized, and concerns are communicated early. Above all, residents experience mealtimes as a comfortable and enjoyable part of their day.