Cook Per Diem

Maplewood Senior Living•Darien, CT

About The Position

The Cook prepares and serves meals for the dietary department in a safe manner and in compliance with dietary standards, policies, and procedures, consistent with Maplewood Senior Living’s philosophy. The role includes preparing food for residents, maintaining kitchen and dining areas, supporting inventory control, and ensuring residents’ diets are followed. The Cook may supervise servers when the Culinary Services Director is absent and must be able to work with little or no supervision while maintaining a professional demeanor and safe, clean work environment. The position requires knowledge of kitchen equipment and food preparation, including cooking large quantities of food. The Cook communicates with the Culinary Services Director and other staff about departmental concerns, supply or equipment loss, and changes in residents’ physical or mental health. The role also includes following emergency and safety procedures, reporting workplace injuries, maintaining attendance in accordance with personnel policies, and performing other duties assigned by management. This is a per diem position in Darien, Connecticut. Weekend and holiday work may be assigned, shifts may differ from the shift for which the employee was hired, and extended hours of up to 16 hours per day may be required. The work involves standing for extended periods, bending and reaching, lifting or pushing and pulling up to 40–50 pounds at times, and working in hot or humid conditions. Potential hazards include burns, knife cuts, and falls on slippery floors.

Requirements

ServSafe certification is required.
Working knowledge of rules and regulations related to health and safety in food preparation.
Knowledge of cooking times and temperatures in accordance with state guidelines.
Knowledge of various cuts of meat and seasonings.
Demonstrated ability in a wide range of food preparation skills.
Experience dealing with seniors and their dietary needs.
Ability to read, write, and speak English.
Ability to work with little or no supervision and maintain a professional demeanor under stress.
Ability to recognize needs and help others without prompting, and to relate well to employees and residents.
Ability to bend and reach; push, pull, and lift up to 40–50 pounds at times; and stand for extended periods.
Ability to work for extended periods in a hot or humid environment.
Ability to taste and smell food to determine quality and palatability.

Responsibilities

Assist with or prepare food items and serve meals to residents within scheduled time frames.
Clean and maintain food service areas, including the kitchen and dining room.
Assist the Culinary Services Director with inventory control.
Supervise servers when the Culinary Services Director is absent.
Maintain a clean, neat, and safe work environment and current cleaning lists.
Use kitchen equipment, including ovens, slicers, mixers, steam tables, steamers, toasters, coffee pots, refrigerators, and freezers.
Ensure residents’ diets are followed and employee and resident guest meals are accounted for daily.
Report loss, breakage, or waste of supplies and equipment to the Culinary Services Director.
Observe and communicate problems or potential problems in the dietary department to the Culinary Services Director.
Cook large quantities of food and guide or instruct others in food preparation and service.
Respect residents’ rights and adhere to community policies on resident care.
Follow emergency procedures and report on-the-job injuries to the supervisor before the end of the shift on the day they occur.
Communicate effectively with the supervisor and other staff, and immediately advise the supervisor and appropriate manager of changes in a resident’s physical or mental health.
Maintain acceptable attendance, notify the supervisor if late or unable to work in accordance with personnel policies, and follow the work schedule.
Work weekends and holidays as assigned; work shifts other than the one for which hired and extended hours when required.
Perform other duties assigned by management.