Culinary Cook | Culinary Chef | Senior Living Cook

Heritage Senior Living•Oshkosh, WI

3d•Onsite

About The Position

Aspire Senior Living is hiring a Cook to prepare and serve appealing meals for residents and guests. Reporting to the Executive Chef and working closely with the culinary team, the Cook supports food preparation and meal service, follows dietary instructions, maintains food safety and sanitation, and contributes to a positive dining experience. The role involves preparing meals according to menus, recipes, production standards, resident preferences, and special dietary needs; monitoring food quality and temperatures; and assisting with food preparation for special events and resident activities. The Cook provides friendly service, interacts with residents during meals, responds professionally to requests, and communicates concerns to appropriate team members. Kitchen duties include maintaining clean and organized work areas, following cleaning and infection-control procedures, labeling and rotating food, monitoring inventory and supplies, reporting equipment or safety concerns, assisting with dishwasher checks, and completing required department documentation. The ideal candidate takes pride in cooking and service, is dependable and organized, can manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced kitchen, and enjoys working with older adults. The position requires extended periods of standing and walking, physical kitchen work, handling food and equipment safely, and a flexible schedule based on resident and community needs, including weekends, holidays, and additional hours as needed. Reasonable accommodations may be provided as required by applicable law.

Requirements

Previous food preparation or cooking experience required.
Ability to read and follow recipes, menus, food labels, dietary instructions, safety information, and required documentation.
Strong organizational and time-management skills.
Good judgment, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.
Strong communication and customer-service skills.
Understanding of, or willingness to learn, sanitation and infection-control practices.
Ability to work collaboratively with coworkers and community team members.
Ability to meet applicable pre-employment, training, and regulatory requirements.
Ability to communicate effectively with residents, guests, and team members.
Ability to stand and walk for extended periods throughout the workday.
Ability to bend, reach, stoop, kneel, push, pull, and perform movements necessary for food preparation and kitchen duties.
Ability to regularly lift, carry, and move items weighing up to 50 pounds.
Ability to safely handle food, cookware, utensils, kitchen equipment, and cleaning supplies.
Ability to work safely around heat, steam, hot surfaces, sharp utensils, cleaning products, wet surfaces, and temperature changes.
Ability to work a flexible schedule, including weekends, holidays, and additional hours as needed.

Nice To Haves

High school diploma or equivalent preferred.
Food-service or culinary certification is a plus.
Senior living, healthcare, institutional food service, hospitality, or restaurant experience preferred.

Responsibilities

Prepare and cook meals according to established menus, recipes, and production standards.
Follow proper portioning, presentation, and serving methods.
Prepare meals according to resident preferences, special dietary needs, and dietary instructions.
Ensure food is prepared and served safely, accurately, and on time.
Monitor food quality, temperatures, appearance, and presentation during preparation and service.
Follow direction from the Executive Chef and Sous Chef regarding daily production and culinary operations.
Assist with food preparation for special events, celebrations, and resident activities.
Provide friendly and attentive service to residents and guests.
Interact with residents during meal service, monitor dining satisfaction, respond professionally to requests, and communicate concerns to appropriate team members.
Collaborate with the culinary team and other departments to support a positive resident experience.
Follow food-safety, sanitation, infection-control, and applicable state and local food-service requirements.
Maintain clean, sanitary, and organized food-preparation and kitchen areas; follow cleaning schedules and procedures.
Label, date, rotate, and store food products properly to maintain quality and reduce waste.
Monitor inventory and communicate food and supply needs to the Executive Chef.
Monitor kitchen equipment and promptly report maintenance or safety concerns.
Assist with monitoring dishwasher temperatures and chemical levels as needed.
Complete or assist with food-safety, temperature, cleaning, and other department documentation.
Maintain regular and reliable attendance and safely perform food preparation, cooking, portioning, plating, and meal service.