Cook | Full Time | 11a- 7p

Harmony Senior Services•Chesapeake, VA

23h•Onsite

About The Position

The Cook prepares meals according to approved menus and standard recipes while accounting for residents’ special dietary needs, requests, likes, and dislikes. The role includes monitoring for changes in residents’ dietary needs and making approved menu substitutions when items are unavailable. The Cook maintains a clean, orderly, and safe kitchen; monitors food and equipment conditions; and ensures food is properly prepared, portioned, cooled, stored, identified, and dated. When the Dining Services Director and Dining Services Supervisor are absent, the Cook supervises dietary staff and assigned duties to ensure the kitchen is ready for meal service. The Cook also assists with training new dietary employees and conducts training or in-services as directed. For evening shifts, the Cook leaves the kitchen clean and ready for the next day’s operation. The position is based at 301 Clearfield Avenue, Chesapeake, Virginia 23320, and is listed as full-time, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. The posted pay range is $19.00–$22.00.

Requirements

Experience in dining services.
Serv-Safe certification, or willingness to complete certification within 60 days of hire.
Basic understanding of food service operations, including familiarity with duties of other dietary positions.
Ability to read, write, and make simple calculations; learn quickly and apply learned principles; and follow oral and written directions.
Experience in food preparation and cooking, including estimating food quantities.
Knowledge of sanitation and safety principles and requirements for handling food and equipment.
Ability to stand for long periods and withstand temperature extremes, wet and/or humid conditions, and noise.
Ability to lift 50 pounds regularly or at least eight times per shift, and carry heavy objects for 20 feet.
Ability to pull, push, grasp, and reach adequately to perform cooking activities.
Organization and ability to work well with people as part of a team.
Wear the designated uniform, including slip-resistant footwear, during working hours and maintain good personal hygiene.
Willingness to work a flexible schedule that includes evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Responsibilities

Prepare and present menu items according to standard recipes and residents’ special dietary needs.
Maintain a clean, orderly, and safe work area, including floors, and participate in weekly cleaning routines.
Report faulty equipment and broken or chipped tableware and food trays; remove damaged items from meal service.
Report incorrect refrigerator and freezer temperatures immediately and record temperatures twice per day.
Take and record food temperatures three times daily.
Ensure leftover food is properly cooled, stored, identified, and dated.
Observe good safety practices and monitor and control portion sizes to minimize food waste.
Remove frozen food for the next day or meal and begin preparation for the next day’s meal.
Make menu substitutions when food items are unavailable, only with the Dining Services Director’s approval.
Supervise assigned duties to ensure the kitchen is ready to provide meal service.
When working the evening shift, ensure the kitchen is clean and ready for next-day operations.
Become familiar with residents’ specific requests and diets, and remain alert to changes in dietary needs, likes, and dislikes.
Treat residents, visitors, and staff courteously and politely; follow confidentiality policies regarding resident information.
Supervise dietary staff in the absence of the Dining Services Director and Dining Services Supervisor.
Assist in training new dietary employees and conduct in-services and training as directed by the Dining Services Director.
Attend required in-services and staff meetings.