Cook - Weekend Only!

Messiah Lifeways•Mechanicsburg, PA

About The Position

Messiah Lifeways is seeking a part-time, weekend-only Cook for its Dining Services team. The Cook prepares nutritious, appealing, high-quality meals for residents, guests, and team members while meeting food-safety, sanitation, infection-control, nutritional, and service standards. The schedule is 10:00 AM to 6:30 PM on weekends, with holidays as needed based on department scheduling. This role contributes to older adults’ comfort and dining experience by preparing food that accommodates dietary needs, preferences, and prescribed modifications. The Cook works with dining, nursing, and other team members to help ensure residents receive appropriate meals and service. Previous cooking experience in senior living, healthcare, restaurants, hotels, schools, or other institutional kitchens is preferred but not required; the qualifications section also lists culinary school graduation or 1 to 2 years of cooking experience in a healthcare setting, restaurant, or dining facility. Messiah Lifeways describes its dining team as part of its mission to enhance the lives of older adults through hospitality, service, nutrition, and compassionate care. The posting mentions paid training, opportunities to grow skills, career growth opportunities, and comprehensive benefits for eligible full-time employees.

Requirements

Genuine passion for cooking and preparing quality meals.
Understanding of nutrition, food safety, and sanitation.
Pride in food quality, presentation, and consistency.
Enjoyment of serving and interacting with older adults.
Patience, compassion, and respect.
Ability to work as part of a team.
Ability to stay organized and efficient during busy meal periods.
Attention to recipes, dietary requirements, and details.
Dependability and flexibility, including willingness to work in a variety of kitchen settings.
Graduate of culinary school or 1 to 2 years of cooking experience in a healthcare setting, restaurant, or dining facility.

Nice To Haves

Previous cooking experience in senior living, healthcare, restaurants, hotels, schools, or other institutional kitchens is preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

Prepare breakfast, lunch, and dinner for residents, guests, and team members.
Follow standardized recipes and established menus.
Prepare meals according to residents’ dietary needs, preferences, and prescribed modifications.
Prepare ingredients and organize the workstation before each meal period.
Cook and portion food according to established quality and nutritional standards.
Attend to food texture, temperature, presentation, and portion sizes.
Prepare food in a way that supports 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 the meals and service they need.