Lead Cook (Full Time)

Eskaton•Carmichael, CA

4h•$22 - $26

About The Position

Eskaton is a nonprofit organization serving older adults through a network of 23 communities in Northern California. The Lead Cook prepares and cooks meals according to recipes, menus, production methods, regulatory requirements, and therapeutic diet orders, while maintaining food quality and presentation. The role applies sanitation and safety practices, supervises kitchen staff during meal service, and is responsible for kitchen activities when the Manager or Director is absent. It also supports staff training, kitchen scheduling and upkeep, inventory and ordering, and compliance with established procedures and policies. The position requires a high school diploma or GED and Serve Safe Certification. Previous food service experience is preferred. Starting pay is $21.65–$26.00 per hour; base pay may vary based on factors including responsibilities, experience, education, job-related skills, internal equity, and market considerations. The role involves medium physical work, including exerting up to 50 pounds occasionally, 20 pounds frequently, and 10 pounds constantly to move objects. Final candidates must pass post-offer pre-employment checks, including criminal background, drug, TB, and health screening. New hires must sign an arbitration agreement.

Requirements

High school graduate or GED.
Serve Safe Certification.
Knowledge of safe food handling and preparation.
Knowledge of practices that avoid waste and misuse.
Ability to present food attractively and palatably and assess food quality by taste and smell.
Broad knowledge of breakfast, lunch, and dinner entrée preparation.
Broad knowledge of scratch soups, sauces and gravies, starches, and vegetables.
Ability to meet the physical demands of medium work: exert up to 50 pounds occasionally, 20 pounds frequently, and 10 pounds constantly to move objects.
Successful completion of post-offer pre-employment criminal background, drug, TB, and health screening.
Sign an arbitration agreement as a condition of employment.

Nice To Haves

Previous food service experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

Apply sanitation and safety techniques while working and supervising.
Take responsibility for all kitchen activities in the absence of the Manager or Director.
Assist in training food service personnel as directed.
Assist with scheduling, cleaning, and maintaining the kitchen facility and equipment according to schedules and procedures.
Routinely check and maintain temperature logs for completion.
Prepare and cook meals according to recipes, menus, food production methods, regulatory requirements, and therapeutic diet orders, ensuring palatability and quality.
Apply portion control for all diets during preparation and service and supervise kitchen staff during meal service.
Note food substitutions on daily menus and communicate them to the Manager or Manager on Duty.
Assist with inventory, ordering, rotation, and maintenance of food in storage areas.
Be familiar with the food service disaster plan.
Model Eskaton’s core values, including warmth and belonging, excellence, continuous improvement, learning, growth, ownership, and initiative.
Comply with Eskaton’s Corporate Compliance Policy and HIPAA.
Maintain attendance as outlined in Eskaton policy.
Follow the required dress code and Community Appearance Standards and maintain a professional image to the public and residents.
Follow established safety guidelines, use proper body mechanics and safe work practices, and wear appropriate safety gear.