Cook - LaSalle County Nursing Home

Whitsons Culinary Group•Ottawa, IL

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Cook prepares fresh meals for patients and residents in a healthcare food service setting, following dietary guidelines, patient menus, recipes, and food safety requirements. The role supports residents’ nutrition and wellbeing by preparing meals that meet nutritional and medical needs, including special diets, allergies, and food restrictions. The Cook maintains a clean, sanitized, organized, and properly stocked kitchen and service station; follows HACCP, ServSafe, and applicable sanitation standards; and accurately completes temperature logs and production records. The position requires coordinating cooking timelines and meal service deadlines, maintaining portioning and presentation standards, and working collaboratively with the Chef Manager, dietary and clinical staff, and other food service workers. This is a full-time, non-exempt, primarily site-based position in a kitchen and food production environment. The schedule aligns with the food service schedule and includes weekend shifts; occasional extended hours may be required for special events or operational needs. Occasional travel to other district locations may be required for substitute coverage or operational support. The job involves standing for most of the workday, frequent movement and handling of food, tools, and equipment, lifting or moving up to 50 pounds, and exposure to hot and cold temperatures. The work environment is moderately to loudly noisy during meal service periods.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Minimum of 1 year of professional culinary or food service experience.
ServSafe certification, or the ability to obtain it within a defined timeframe upon hire.
Local food safety certification required in the jurisdiction of employment.
Proficiency in recipe procedures and cooking techniques, including batch cooking and recipe execution.
Ability to speak and read English sufficiently to understand and perform job assignments, follow recipes, and comply with safety requirements.
Commitment to food safety and sanitation.
Ability to work effectively as part of a food service team in a fast-paced kitchen environment.
Dependable, caring, and professional attitude; good communication skills and genuine interest in resident nutrition and wellbeing.
Ability to stand for most of the workday; frequently walk, talk, hear, handle food, tools, and equipment, and reach with hands and arms.
Ability to lift and/or move up to 50 pounds, including while turning side to side.
Ability to work around hot and cold temperatures and move in and out of storerooms and near ovens and freezers.
Close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

Nice To Haves

Residential, correctional, or institutional food service experience.

Responsibilities

Prepare and cook meals according to healthcare dietary guidelines, patient menus, recipes, and nutritional requirements.
Prepare food safely and attractively, meeting portioning, presentation, and nutritional compliance standards.
Follow procedures for special diets, allergies, and food restrictions.
Maintain a clean, sanitized, organized, stocked, and properly maintained kitchen and service station.
Follow HACCP, ServSafe, and applicable food safety and sanitation standards.
Complete temperature logs and production records accurately and on time.
Manage cooking timelines and sequencing to meet meal service deadlines.
Collaborate with dietary and clinical staff to meet patients’ nutritional and medical needs.
Work cooperatively with the Chef Manager and other food service workers to support daily service goals.
Travel occasionally to other district locations for substitute coverage or operational support.