Cook - Lead Cook

Otterbein SeniorLife • Pemberville, OH

5d

About The Position

Otterbein is seeking a Lead Cook to prepare attractive, flavorful meals for residents in a not-for-profit retirement community offering restaurant-style dining in a comfortable, home-like atmosphere. The role supports person-centered care in a faith-based environment and contributes to residents’ quality of life.

The Lead Cook assists the Executive Chef with menu development, staffing, and specials; manages food purchasing and cost control for an assigned area; and oversees food preparation, cooking, plating, kitchen equipment use, and production records. The position also helps control labor through work schedules, supports culinary staff hiring and performance evaluations, and assumes responsibility for kitchen operations when the Executive Chef is absent.

The Lead Cook ensures food production meets deadlines and prescribed standards, resolves work problems, and helps motivate team members. The role requires maintaining food safety and sanitation, including HACCP standards, proper food handling, portion control, presentation, serving temperatures, and cleanliness of work areas and equipment. This is a full-time position on first and second shifts; shifts are completed as assigned, with assistance provided for other functions as needed.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED.
• ServSafe certification.
• Ability to complete assigned shifts and assist with other functions as needed.

Nice To Haves

• Culinary degree.

Responsibilities

• Assist the Executive Chef with menu development, staffing, specials, and other needs.
• Take reservations and prepare hibachi meals in the main restaurant.
• Manage food purchases for the assigned area and determine the quantities needed for daily menu rotations.
• Control food costs through waste reduction, stock rotation, menu planning, recipes, and related techniques.
• Control labor through accurate work schedules and estimates of worker-hour requirements.
• Supervise food preparation, cooking, and plating methods and techniques for recipes.
• Supervise the correct use of kitchen equipment.
• Complete production records, including used and unused portions and product shortages.
• Assist with interviewing, hiring, and evaluating culinary staff performance.
• Oversee overall kitchen operations in the Executive Chef’s absence.
• Ensure food production deadlines based on production orders are met.
• Analyze and resolve work problems or assist workers in resolving them.
• Maintain a clean, well-groomed, professional appearance.
• Suggest plans and follow up to motivate partners.
• Follow company policies and procedures and complete assigned shifts.
• Assist with other functions as needed.
• Ensure proper food presentation, portion control, and serving temperatures while following HACCP standards.
• Maintain sanitation and orderliness of equipment, supplies, and utensils in the work area.
• Ensure food items are handled appropriately during preparation and prepared using approved recipes and prescribed production standards.
• Keep display equipment clean and free of debris during meal service.
• Clean assigned equipment in a timely manner and thoroughly clean workstations before leaving the area.

Benefits

• Medical insurance with free virtual doctor visits
• Vision insurance
• Dental insurance
• Pet insurance
• Life insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• 401(k) retirement savings plan with company match
• Paid time off that accrues beginning on day one
• Paid holidays
• DailyPay access to earned wages
• Tuition reimbursement up to $5,250 per year for any field of study
• Tuition discounts through partnerships with the University of Cincinnati, University of Toledo, and Hondros College
• Employee-sponsored crisis fund
• Legal and identity theft protection
• Partner discounts through Access Perks
• Personal and professional development materials through RightNow Media @ Work

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED