Culinary Head Cook
About The Position
The Culinary Head Cook works alongside the Director of Culinary Operations to oversee daily kitchen operations, ensuring delicious meals, efficient workflows, and the highest standards of food safety. This role involves leading and supporting the culinary team, ensuring high-quality meal preparation, service, and sanitation. The Head Cook will supervise, train, and mentor cooks, promote safe food handling and quality presentation, and partner with the Director on menu planning, inventory, purchasing, and special events. Ensuring compliance with food safety regulations, sanitation standards, and equipment maintenance is also a key part of the role. The position requires monitoring resident satisfaction, supporting continuous quality improvement, and assisting with staff education and performance evaluations. The Head Cook may also cover cook shifts as needed and perform other duties to support efficient culinary operations.
Requirements
- Experience in food preparation, meal planning, food safety, and kitchen operations.
- Previous leadership or supervisory experience in a culinary or food service setting.
- Knowledge of food safety, infection control, OSHA guidelines, and state and federal long-term care regulations.
- Proficient with computers.
- Strong leadership, communication, problem-solving, organization, and time management skills.
- Ability to work collaboratively, adapt to changing priorities, and provide excellent customer service to residents, families, and team members.
- Current Food Manager Certification or ability to obtain certification within six months of hire.
Nice To Haves
- Long-term care experience preferred.
- Experience with IDDSI standards and MealTracker preferred.
Responsibilities
- Lead and support the daily operations of the culinary team, ensuring high-quality meal preparation, service, and sanitation.
- Supervise, train, mentor, and schedule cooks while promoting safe food handling, IDDSI standards, and quality food presentation.
- Partner with the Director of Culinary Operations on menu planning, special diets, inventory, purchasing, budgeting, and special events.
- Ensure compliance with food safety regulations, sanitation standards, temperature monitoring, equipment maintenance, and quality assurance.
- Maintain adequate food, beverage, and supply inventory using proper storage and FIFO practices.
- Monitor resident satisfaction, support continuous quality improvement, and assist with staff education, performance evaluations, and department meetings.
- Cover cook shifts as needed and perform other duties to support efficient culinary operations.
Benefits
- Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
- Paid Time Off and Earned Sick and Safe Time (ESST)
- FSA/HSA with employer contribution
- Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (DCFSA)
- Life Insurance
- Long-Term Disability Insurance
- Voluntary pre-tax benefits, including Accident Insurance, Cancer Insurance, and Hospital Confinement Insurance
- Voluntary after-tax benefits, including Short-Term Disability Insurance, Critical Illness Insurance, Term Life Insurance, and Whole Life Insurance
- 401(k) program with an employer match of up to 4%
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Longevity bonuses
- Year-end appreciation gifts and routine wage increases
- Annual Staff Appreciation Week featuring large prizes, a grand celebration, and more
- Consistent recognition efforts throughout the year
- Excellent advancement opportunities across more than 20 unique departments
- Corporate Perks Program with discounts on shopping, restaurants, gym memberships, haircuts, and more.
- 15% off tuition through partnership with Rasmussen University
- Access to nationwide discounts on attractions, memberships, travel, and more through TicketsAtWork.
Stand Out From the Crowd
Upload your resume and get instant feedback on how well it matches this job.
What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
Education Level
No Education Listed
