Cook

Department: Food Services and Chef

Reports To: Food Service Director 

Status: Non-exempt

Job Summary:

Responsible for the preparation and cooking of food in the community. Ensure that all meals are prepared and presented according to HallKeen Assisted Living Communities standards.

Duties and Responsibilities:

The following essential functions are the fundamental job duties of the position to be completed with or without appropriate reasonable accommodation.

• Provide a high level of customer service and promote a restaurant style dining atmosphere.
• Work closely with the food service director to keep residents satisfied with food and dining programs.
• Maintain kitchen and food storage and preparation areas in a clean, safe, and sanitary condition at all times.
• Responsible for the opening and/or closing of the kitchen. 
• Adhere to cleaning schedules as assigned.
• Ensures that all food is received, stored, and prepared according to company standards.
• Estimate daily or weekly needs of food and supplies and communicates needs to food service director.
• Participate in preparing and cooking meals according to established recipes and approved menus.
• Document temperatures of food prior to service, refrigeration and freezer temperatures.
• Keep kitchen floors clean (sweeps and mops) and trash emptied.
• Assist with the transportation and storage of food and supplies.
• Adhere to standard food safety practices.
• Assist with preparation and execution of special events, banquets, and theme meals.
• May perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• High School Diploma or general education degree (GED)
• Minimum of 1-3 years experience as a cook in a hospitality or healthcare environment.
• Serve Safe Certification
• Able to read and follow recipes and printed production guides, cleaning schedules, and logs.
• Must have submitted and completed a Criminal Background check for unlicensed employees in compliance with state regulation.
• Must provide a medical certification from a licensed healthcare provider confirming that the employee is free from communicable disease including TB in compliance with state regulation at hire and annually thereafter.

Required Behavior:

• Ability to build positive and strong relationships with employees, coworkers and residents.
• Focused and dedicated to provide excellent customer service.
• Ability to handle multiple jobs and priorities.
• Accept direction from superiors or other experienced staff.
• Shares job knowledge or resident information with others as needed.
• Give and welcome feedback.
• Operate and Maintain kitchen equipment in a clean and sanitary manner.
• Knowledge of food handling, preparation, cooking and service.

Physical Demands:

• Physically able to move at least 50 lbs. without assistance.
• Physically able to bend, reach, and work in small areas.
• Physically able to push and pull equipment and furnishings.
• Physically able to stand for long periods of time.