Cook (Senior Living Community)

Suite Living Senior Care•Lakeville, MN

3d•$23 - $25•Onsite

About The Position

Suite Living Senior Care is seeking a Cook to join its dietary team at its Lakeville, Minnesota senior living community. This temporary, full-time role is responsible for preparing meals according to the menu using batch cooking methods, ensuring meals are presented and served to residents in accordance with customer service standards, and keeping the dining room clean and presentable. The temporary role may be extended. The Cook supports residents’ dietary needs and requests, coordinates with care and leadership staff, and helps plan private gatherings and special events. The role also includes ordering food and supplies, maintaining inventory within budget, preparing food ahead for weekend and evening meals, documenting temperatures as required, and following food safety, sanitation, and licensing requirements. The Cook is expected to interact respectfully and cheerfully with residents, families, coworkers, vendors, and other staff.

Requirements

Minimum of a high school diploma.
Related experience as a Cook, Chef, Dietary Aide, or Server is highly preferred.
Experience in a senior living community is highly preferred.
Knowledge of nutrition, recipes, and special dietary needs.
Ability to safely operate kitchen equipment and follow food safety and sanitation practices.
Computer literacy and ability to order food and supplies and maintain inventory.
Ability to work within a budget while maintaining menu integrity.
Good communication, organization, judgment, and adaptability.
Dependable, reliable, detail-oriented, and able to work independently with little direction.
Passion for the well-being of older adults.

Nice To Haves

Related experience as a Cook, Chef, Dietary Aide, or Server.
Experience in a senior living community.

Responsibilities

Prepare meals according to menus using batch cooking methods and ensure meals are presented and served to residents in keeping with customer service standards.
Maintain a clean, presentable dining room and clean kitchen and kitchen equipment.
Apply knowledge of nutrition, recipes, and special dietary needs, including appropriate substitutions; coordinate with the Clinical Nurse Manager to accommodate residents on special diets within program limits.
Operate kitchen equipment properly and safely and follow safety, sanitation, and cleaning-product procedures.
Order food and supplies, maintain inventory, label, date, and rotate stock, and make sound inventory recommendations while working within budget and maintaining menu integrity.
Communicate with vendors and consult with a supervisor when meal-planning problems arise, such as missing ordered food.
Plan and organize work, check menus and food availability before starting, adapt to schedule changes, and prepare for special events and activities.
Work with the Assisted Living Director, residents, and families to plan private gatherings; help with special events and cover for others during emergencies as needed.
Prepare food ahead for weekend and evening meals and leave clear instructions for weekend staff when needed.
Follow menus and provide snacks appropriate for the senior population.
Respect residents, initiate friendly conversations, listen to their concerns, respond appropriately to requests, and refer problems to the Assisted Living Director as appropriate.
Maintain cooperative relationships with coworkers, answer calls pleasantly, and promptly bring legitimate complaints and problems to the Assisted Living Director.
Protect building property and supplies, prevent waste, and offer suggestions for improvements.
Recognize and complete needed tasks independently and manage work priorities to meet scheduled service times, with contingency plans when necessary.
Report accidents and injuries immediately to the Assisted Living Director and report resident changes to staff on duty.
Document required information, including temperatures.
Abide by Food and Beverage License requirements.
Recognize the building as a 24-hour resident environment and contribute to making it a desirable place to live.