Prep Cook

Eskaton Properties, Inc.; California; On-site; USD 25,003 - 30,444; Full time

Job summary

Eskaton is seeking a Prep Cook to prepare a variety of foods ensuring high quality and resident satisfaction while maintaining a clean kitchen environment. The role emphasizes adherence to recipes, menus, and dietary guidelines.

The candidate should have a high school diploma or GED, with prior food service experience and Serve Safe Certification preferred. An arbitration clause and background checks are part of the hiring process, and Eskaton is an equal opportunity employer.

Qualifications

• Must have knowledge of safe food handling and preparation.
• Must be able to present foods attractively and test quality by taste and smell.
• Broad knowledge of breakfast, lunch and dinner entree preparation; scratch soups, gravies, vegetables.

Responsibilities

• Applies sanitation and safety techniques.
• Prepares and produces ingredients and menu items as assigned.
• Cooks meals according to menus and recipes; adheres to diets.
• Measures and mixes ingredients; follows production methods and regulations.
• Practices portion control for all diets.
• Maintains kitchen and equipment; keeps logs.
• Communicates changes on menus to supervisor.
• Ensures proper labeling and rotation of foods in storage areas.
• Follows safety guidelines; aware of disaster plan.

Skills

Food safety

Taste testing

Sanitation

Education

High school diploma or GED

Serve Safe Certification

Job description

Make a Real Difference, Every Single Day

As a nonprofit leader in aging, Eskaton helps people live well, longer - with trusted guidance at every stage. We believe aging should be a vibrant, supported, and celebrated journey, not an experience to face alone. For over 55 years, Eskaton has been a cornerstone of Northern California, growing a network of 23 communities dedicated to older adults and the people who care for them. When you join us, you're not just starting a job. You're stepping into a career where your work creates a real impact on people's daily lives and strengthening the communities we call home.

We Invest in You (Because You Invest in Others)

We know that to take great care of our residents, we must take great care of you. We are genuinely committed to your health, your happiness, and your future. That's why we offer:

• Financial Security: Competitive pay and a 401K matching program to help you plan for your own future.
• Total Wellbeing: Comprehensive benefits that support your physical and mental health.
• A Place Where You Belong: We celebrate diversity and equity across the entire aging spectrum, ensuring every team member feels seen and valued.

Our DNA (Core Values)

We're looking for people who align with our mission and want to grow with us:

• Welcoming: You're a natural at creating warmth and a sense of belonging for everyone you meet.
• Bring (Y)our Best: You take pride in your work and strive for excellence in the "little things" and the "big things" alike.
• Empowerment: You don't wait for permission to do the right thing. You step up, take ownership, and lead with initiative.
• Growth: You're a lifelong learner who seeks consistent improvement and sustainable growth.

Position Summary:

The Prep Cook is responsible for the preparation of a variety of foods and ingredients to ensure the highest quality and resident satisfaction, maintaining cleanliness of food services area.

Essential Job Functions:

• Applies sanitation and safety techniques while working.
• Responsible for preparation and production of ingredients and menu items as assigned.
• Prepares, cooks meals according to menus and recipes and adheres to all diets.
• Measures and mixes food ingredients according to recipes and menus, preparing all types of food according to accepted food production methods and regulatory requirements.
• Practices and applies portion control during preparation and service of all diets.
• Performs cleaning and maintenance of kitchen facility and equipment according to schedules, and procedures, maintains logs.
• Communicates any changes or substitutions on daily menus to supervisor.
• Ensures proper labeling, dating and rotation of foods in all storage areas.
• Works in accordance with safety guidelines.
• Familiar with food service disaster plan.

The starting salary for this position ranges from $18.15 - $22.10 per hour. Factors such as scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience, education/training, job‑related skills, internal peer equity, as well as market and business considerations may influence base pay offered.

Qualifications:

Education: High school graduate or GED.

Training and Experience: Previous food service experience preferred. Serve Safe Certification.

Job Knowledge: Must have knowledge of safe food handling and preparation. Must have knowledge of good practices to avoid waste and misuse. Must have the ability to present foods in an attractive and palatable manner and to test quality of food by taste and smell. Must have a broad knowledge of breakfast, lunch and dinner entree preparation. Must have a broad knowledge of scratch soups, sauces/gravies, starches and vegetables.

Final candidate must successfully pass Eskaton's post‑offer, pre‑employment testing which includes a criminal background check, drug test, TB screen test and health screen. All new hires are required to sign an arbitration agreement as a condition of employment.

Eskaton is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation or protected veteran status.