Senior Living Café Cook: Timely, Safe Meals

Lakewood Retirement Community-LifeSpire; Richmond (VA); On-site; USD 29,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

Lakewood, a LifeSpire of Virginia community in Richmond, VA, seeks a dependable Cook to join our dining services team. You will prepare meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, ensure safe handling and serving, and maintain a clean, organized kitchen aligned with healthcare standards.

The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, reliable, and able to follow production sheets and meal tickets, while collaborating with staff to deliver timely, high-quality meals to residents.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED preferred.
• Previous food service, dietary, or healthcare experience preferred but not required.
• Basic knowledge of food safety and sanitation practices.
• Ability to read production sheets, meal tickets, and follow written and verbal instructions.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Reliable attendance and punctuality required.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and organize the serving line for breakfast, lunch, and dinner using production sheets and meal tickets.
• Organize meal tickets and ensure all special diet items and meal modifications are prepared correctly before service.
• Prepare and maintain the steam table, ensuring proper water levels and temperatures.
• Ensure hot boxes are plugged in, preheated, and ready for service.
• Check and document refrigerator temperatures after each meal service in accordance with food safety and healthcare regulations.
• Check food temperatures, expiration dates, and product quality throughout each shift.
• Rotate inventory using FIFO (First In, First Out) practices.
• Maintain appropriate par levels of chicken salad, tuna salad, sliced deli meats, snacks, supplies, and serving utensils.
• Restock the kitchen and serving areas after each meal to ensure the department is prepared for the next service.
• Clean and sanitize the serving line, equipment, and workstation after each meal.
• Wipe down hot boxes after lunch and dinner service.
• Return dishes to the kitchen after breakfast and lunch and wash dinner service dishes as assigned.
• Report equipment issues, food shortages, safety concerns, or other problems to the appropriate manager or supervisor.
• Follow all food safety, sanitation, infection control, and healthcare dietary policies and procedures.
• Work collaboratively with the dining services team to ensure meals are served accurately, efficiently, and on time.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Skills

Attention to detail

Organizational skills

Time management

Teamwork

Punctuality

Food safety basics

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

Lakewood, a LifeSpire of Virginia community in Richmond, VA, seeks a dependable Cook to join our dining services team. You will prepare meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, ensure safe handling and serving, and maintain a clean, organized kitchen aligned with healthcare standards.

The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, reliable, and able to follow production sheets and meal tickets, while collaborating with staff to deliver timely, high-quality meals to residents.