Line Cook

Sunnyside Communities; Waynesboro (VA); On-site; USD 21,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

Sunnyside Communities in Waynesboro, VA is hiring a full-time Cook/Line Cook to join our dining team. Choose either day shift 5:30am-2:00pm or evening shift 10:30am-7:00pm, with rotating weekends.

In this hands-on role you will prepare meals according to menus, assist with plating, maintain a clean kitchen, and follow food safety standards. Join a supportive team dedicated to serving residents with dignity.

Qualifications

• Experience in cooking, healthcare or senior living settings preferred but not required.
• Ability to read recipes and portion accurately.
• Flexibility to work day or evening shifts and weekends.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and cook meals per established menus and recipes.
• Assist with plating and service to residents.
• Maintain a clean, organized kitchen and proper sanitation.
• Follow HACCP standards and monitor food temperatures.
• Operate kitchen equipment and maintain inventory and prep sheets.
• Communicate effectively with team and support onboarding.

Skills

Team player

Food safety knowledge

Time management

Communication skills

Customer service oriented

Tools

Slicers & ovens

Food prep equipment

Job description

Description

Anticipated Schedule: Day Shift (5:30am-2:00pm) OR Evening Shift (10:30am-7:00pm) Opportunity Available. Rotating Weekends Required. *Both Shifts are Full Time, Hourly Positions.

The Cook/Line Cook is a full-time, hourly position, scheduled for approximately 40 hours per week. Rotating weekend and holiday coverage is required. We're looking for someone who is dependable, flexible, and ready to jump in as part of a team.

Job Summary: If you take pride in the food you prepare, and like knowing your work makes a difference in someone's day, this may be the role for you! Our Cook/Line Cook plays an important part in creating an enjoyable dining experience for the residents we serve each day. In this hands-on role, you'll prepare and cook meals according to established menus and recipes, assist with plating and service, maintain a clean and organized kitchen, and follow food safety and sanitation standards. You'll work alongside a supportive Dining Services team to ensure meals are prepared safely, accurately, and timely.

Food Preparation & Cooking

• Prepare and cook food in accordance with established policies, menus, and recipes, maintaining high quality and consistency.
• Utilize appropriate cooking methods including baking, roasting, frying, stewing, and steaming.
• Prepare food using proper techniques such as washing, cutting, boning, trimming, and portioning according to serving sizes while using required safety gear.
• Adjust recipes and quantities as needed while maintaining quality standards.
• Taste food prior to service to ensure quality, flavor, and consistency.
• Ensure food presentation meets high standards, including proper garnishing that complements menu items.

Planning, Documentation, & Inventory

• Pre-plan food preparation to ensure all ingredients are available and substitutions are documented appropriately.
• Complete all required pre-prep and production sheet documentation by the end of each shift.
• Read, interpret, and utilize menus, recipes, invoices, labels, cooking instructions, production sheets, weights, and measurements to support daily operations.
• Assist with receiving and properly storing food deliveries.

Food Safety, Sanitation & Quality Control

• Maintain required food preparation and service timeframes and accurately record food temperatures on designated logs.
• Ensure food is stored, cooled, labeled, and dated properly in accordance with HACCP standards.
• Verify appropriate food temperatures prior to service and document results.
• Maintain clean and sanitary food preparation, cooking, and storage areas within required timeframes.
• Clean and sanitize all cooking equipment before and after use in accordance with approved procedures.
• Ensure dishes, utensils, and silverware are properly handled and sanitized using approved methods to prevent cross-contamination.

Dishwashing & Equipment Maintenance

• Operate and maintain the dishwasher, including changing water, monitoring and replacing chemicals, cleaning components and surrounding areas, and de-liming equipment.
• Safely operate kitchen equipment including slicers, ovens, grills, fryers, mixers, food processors, thermometers, dishwashers, and related tools.

Safety & Compliance

• Follow all safety guidelines, chemical handling procedures, and good housekeeping practices.
• Maintain the kitchen in survey-ready condition at all times.
• Adhere to all company policies, procedures, and applicable federal and state regulations.
• Attend required in-services, training sessions, and meetings.

Communication, Training & Professional Conduct

• Communicate effectively with coworkers to ensure food is prepared and served accurately.
• Assist with training new cooks and dining services assistants to support successful onboarding within their first 90 days.
• Demonstrate dependability, reliability, and punctuality by reporting to work as scheduled and prepared to work.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Preferred Qualifications:

• Previous cooking experience (healthcare or senior living a plus, but not required—we're willing to train the right candidate!)
• A team player who can adapt to different dietary needs and kitchen environments.
• Knowledge of food safety and sanitation procedures.
• Passion for serving older adults with dignity and respect.
• Ability to read and interpret recipes, double/triple for quantity needed.
• Time management skills; ability to meet deadlines.
• Multi-tasking skills; ability to handle prep work, various timelines, recipes, delivery schedules, etc.
• Strong verbal communication skills; ability to speak with appropriate grammar.
• Strong customer service skills; maintain a hospitality approach to engaging with all individuals.

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 operation of kitchen equipment as well as exposure to sanitizing and cleaning chemicals and wet floor surfaces which require slip-resistant shoes. Minimal hazards if universal precautions are followed.

Hourly Wage Range: $15.00/hr - $20.36/hr