Cook - Weekend Only!
About The Position
Messiah Lifeways is hiring a part-time Cook for its Dining Services team in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. The Cook prepares nutritious, appealing, high-quality meals for residents, guests, and team members, while following food safety, sanitation, infection-control, dietary, and service standards. The role supports older adults by preparing meals with attention to individual dietary requirements, preferences, prescribed modifications, dignity, and dining experience. The position is weekend-only, with a 10:00 AM–6:30 PM schedule. Holidays may be required based on department scheduling. Previous cooking experience in senior living, healthcare, restaurants, hotels, schools, or other institutional kitchens is preferred but not required. Qualifications specify graduation from culinary school or 1–2 years of cooking experience in a healthcare setting, restaurant, or dining facility. Messiah Lifeways describes its dining team as contributing to its mission to enhance the lives of older adults through hospitality, service, nutrition, and compassionate care. It offers paid training, opportunities to grow skills, career growth opportunities, supportive teammates and leaders, and a workplace centered on kindness, teamwork, and connection. Comprehensive benefits are available to eligible full-time employees.
Requirements
- Graduate of culinary school or have 1 to 2 years of cooking experience in a healthcare setting, restaurant, or dining facility.
- Genuine passion for cooking and preparing quality meals.
- Understand the importance of nutrition, food safety, and sanitation.
- Take pride in food quality, presentation, and consistency.
- Enjoy serving and interacting with older adults.
- Be patient, compassionate, and respectful.
- Work well as part of a team.
- Stay organized and efficient during busy meal periods.
- Pay close attention to recipes, dietary requirements, and details.
- Be dependable and flexible, and be willing to work in a variety of kitchen settings.
Nice To Haves
- Previous cooking experience in senior living, healthcare, restaurants, hotels, schools, or other institutional kitchens is preferred.
Responsibilities
- Prepare breakfast, lunch, and dinner for residents, guests, and team members.
- Follow standardized recipes and established menus to maintain consistency and quality.
- Prepare meals according to residents’ dietary needs, preferences, and prescribed modifications.
- Prepare ingredients and organize the workstation before meal periods.
- Cook and portion food according to established quality and nutritional standards.
- Monitor food texture, temperature, presentation, and portion sizes.
- Prepare food in ways that support older adults’ dignity and dining preferences.
- Label, date, rotate, and store food products properly.
- Follow food safety, sanitation, and infection-control procedures.
- Safely operate commercial kitchen equipment.
- Monitor food quality and report concerns to the Chef on Duty.
- Communicate inventory and product needs.
- Maintain a clean, organized, and safe kitchen.
- Complete cleaning and closing duties.
- Work with dining, nursing, and other team members to help ensure residents receive needed meals and service.
Benefits
- Paid training and opportunities to grow skills.
- Career growth opportunities within the organization.
- Supportive teammates and leaders.
- Comprehensive benefits available for eligible full-time employees.
- Workplace built on kindness, teamwork, and connection.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Part-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
No Education Listed
