Lead Cook (Full Time)

Eskaton Careers•Carmichael, CA

16d

About The Position

Eskaton is a nonprofit aging-services organization operating 23 communities in Northern California. The Lead Cook prepares meals according to recipes, menus, production methods, regulatory requirements, and therapeutic diet orders, while ensuring food quality, palatability, and portion control. The role 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 and equipment upkeep, temperature-log completion, food inventory and ordering, and compliance with food-safety and sanitation practices. The position is full-time, with a starting pay range of $21.65 to $26.00 per hour. Pay may vary based on scope, responsibilities, experience, education, job-related skills, internal equity, and market considerations. The position requires a high school diploma or GED and knowledge of safe food handling and preparation. Previous food-service experience is preferred, and Serve Safe certification is listed. The work involves exerting up to 50 pounds occasionally, 20 pounds frequently, and 10 pounds constantly to move objects. The final candidate must pass post-offer, pre-employment screening, including a criminal background check, drug test, TB screen, and health screen. New hires must sign an arbitration agreement as a condition of employment. Eskaton is an equal opportunity employer.

Requirements

High school graduate or GED.
Knowledge of safe food handling and preparation.
Knowledge of practices that prevent 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.
Must successfully pass Eskaton’s post-offer pre-employment testing, including a criminal background check, drug test, TB screen, and health screen.
New hires are required to sign an arbitration agreement as a condition of employment.

Nice To Haves

Previous food-service experience is preferred.
Serve Safe certification.

Responsibilities

Apply sanitation and safety techniques while working and supervising.
Take responsibility for kitchen activities in the absence of the Manager or Director.
Assist with training food-service personnel as directed.
Assist with scheduling, cleaning, and maintaining the kitchen facility and equipment according to schedules and procedures.
Routinely check temperature logs and maintain them 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 to all diets during preparation and service, and supervise kitchen staff during meal service.
Record 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 and comply with its Corporate Compliance Policy and HIPAA.
Maintain attendance in accordance with Eskaton policy and follow the required dress code and Community Appearance Standards.
Maintain a professional image with the public and residents.
Follow established safety guidelines, use proper body mechanics and safe work practices, and wear appropriate safety gear.