Lead Cook - Assisted Living - Full time

Senior Living Management Careers; Orange City (FL); On-site; USD 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Paid time off

401(k) retirement plan

Job summary

A specialized dining service company is looking for a Lead Cook in Orange City, Florida. The position requires expertise in high-quality meal service for residents, leadership in kitchen operations, and adherence to dietary needs. Candidates should possess a culinary degree or relevant certifications and have two to three years of food preparation experience. Responsibilities include menu planning, inventory management, and supervising staff. The role supports both part-time and full-time associates with health benefits and retirement plans.

Qualifications

• Two to three years of commercial food preparation experience is required.
• Experience in assisted living or skilled nursing setting is necessary.
• Ability to cook large quantities and follow standard recipes.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-quality meal service and plan weekly menus.
• Supervise, train, and schedule kitchen staff.
• Manage inventory and minimize waste.

Skills

Leadership

Cooking techniques

Inventory management

Communication

Communication

Education

Degree from culinary institute

Food handling/sanitation certifications

Tools

Common kitchen equipment

Job description

The Lead Cook provides prompt, high-quality meal service to residents ensuring an exceptional and satisfactory dining experience while adhering to residents’ dietary needs and preferences, including special diets and allergies. This role plans weekly menus in accordance with Registered Dietician guidelines and company policies, directs daily kitchen and dining operations, and maintains quality assurance through regular inspection of food quality, temperature, and presentation. The Lead Cook manages inventory and supply orders, minimizes waste through proper storage and rotation, and ensures timely repairs or replacements of equipment. They coordinate and execute catering for special events, maintain departmental records and reports—including food costs and staffing—and oversee the department’s budget and performance.

Demonstrating strong leadership and coordination skills, the Lead Cook supervises, trains, and schedules staff, promotes positive resident and employee relations, resolves conflicts, and ensures compliance with safety, sanitation, and regulatory standards. This position is ideal for a culinary professional with proven leadership, organizational, and communication abilities, dedicated to delivering excellence in food service and team management.

• Inventory management.
• Maintains confidentiality regarding residents’ personal and health information and respects residents’ privacy. Adheres to the resident bill of rights as defined by State law.

Qualifications

• Two to three years of commercial level food preparation experience.
• Experience in assisted living/skilled nursing setting and comprehensive of restrictive diets.
• Working knowledge of basic nutrition, cooking techniques, portion control and serving.
• Ability to properly operate common kitchen equipment such as mixer, meat slicer, oven, grill, deep fryer, stove, steamer, chopper, dishwasher, microwave.
• Ability to cook a variety of foods in large quantities and familiarity with seasoning requiring and cooking time involved.
• Ability to follow standard recipes and independently prepare multi-course meals.
• Basic computer skills desirable.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

• Degree and/or certification from culinary institute preferred.
• Holds/obtains applicable local, state, otherwise required food handling/sanitation licenses and/or certifications.

Benefits for full-time associates: health benefits, paid time off.

Benefits for part-time associates: employer-matched 401(k) retirement plan.

Equal Opportunity Employer. This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.