Culinary Cook | Culinary Chef | Senior Living Cook

Heritage Senior Living•New Berlin, WI

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Cook prepares and serves appealing meals for residents and guests at Heritage at Deer Creek Senior Living. Reporting to the Executive Chef and working closely with the culinary team, the Cook handles food preparation, meal service, dietary compliance, sanitation, and other tasks that support a positive dining experience. The role includes preparing meals according to menus, recipes, production standards, resident preferences, and dietary instructions; monitoring food quality and temperatures; and assisting with 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. The role also involves following food-safety, sanitation, and infection-control practices; keeping kitchen and preparation areas clean and organized; labeling, dating, rotating, and storing food; monitoring inventory and equipment; assisting with dishwasher checks; and completing or assisting with department documentation. The position requires regular hands-on cooking and meal service in a fast-paced kitchen. The Cook must be able to stand and walk for extended periods, perform movements needed for kitchen duties, and regularly lift, carry, and move items weighing up to 50 pounds. The schedule is flexible based on resident and community needs and may include weekends, holidays, and additional hours as needed. Reasonable accommodations may be provided as required by law.

Requirements

Previous food-preparation or cooking experience is 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.
Ability to understand 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 and 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 perform hands-on food preparation, cooking, portioning, plating, and meal service.
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 applicable 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, and help monitor dining satisfaction.
Respond professionally to resident requests and communicate concerns to the appropriate team member.
Collaborate with the culinary team and other departments to support an exceptional resident experience.
Follow food-safety, sanitation, infection-control, and applicable state and local food-service and health department requirements.
Maintain clean, sanitary, and organized kitchen and food-preparation areas and follow cleaning schedules and infection-control procedures.
Label, date, rotate, and store food products appropriately 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 required food-safety, temperature, cleaning, and other department documentation.
Maintain regular and reliable attendance and work a flexible schedule based on resident and community needs, including weekends, holidays, and additional hours as needed.