Aurora
Job DescriptionDescription: The Lead Cook position plays a crucial role in preparing and serving nutritious and appetizing meals for our guests, ensuring they receive high-quality dining experiences that meet their dietary needs and preferences. Schedule: Part-Time, Weekends, 6AM - 2PM Primary Responsibilities and Duties: • Plan, prepare, and cook meals according to approved menus, standardized recipes, and dietary guidelines, ensuring adherence to portion sizes, food safety standards, and nutritional requirements., • Coordinate meal preparation schedules, ingredient preparation, cooking, and serving, to ensure timely delivery of meals to residents., • Monitor inventory levels of food supplies, ingredients, and kitchen equipment, and place orders as assigned to maintain adequate stock and minimize waste., • Follow standardized recipes and portion control guidelines, monitor and record temperatures to reduce waste., • Prepare meals according to residents' individual food restrictions, preferences, therapeutic and texture altered dietary needs as well as plate presentation, including garnishing, to standard., • Ensure food is prepared, cooked, stored, and served at appropriate temperatures to prevent foodborne illness and maintain food quality and safety standards., • Maintain cleanliness and sanitation of kitchen areas, including food preparation surfaces, equipment, utensils, and storage areas, in compliance with food code and local health department regulations., • Collaborate with dietary staff, including supervisor, diet aides, dishwashers and Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN), to coordinate meal service, report resident concerns, and promote resident satisfaction., • Understand and adhere to all facility policies and procedures, including infection control protocols, safety regulations, and quality assurance measures, related to food service operations., • Participate regularly in servicing, training programs and educational opportunities to enhance culinary skills, food safety knowledge, and professional development as assigned., • Assists in the training of diet aides and cooks as assigned by the supervisor., • Assists the supervisor in obtaining initial food preferences and updating tray cards., • High school diploma or equivalent., • Servsafe preferred., • 1-5 years experience in a skilled nursing care facility or other medical facility preferred., • Knowledge of food safety regulations, sanitation practices, and dietary guidelines., • Ability to follow recipes, measure ingredients accurately, and execute cooking techniques with precision and consistency., • Strong organizational and time management skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks and work efficiently in a fast-paced environment., • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to interact professionally with residents, staff, and visitors., • Commitment to providing high-quality dining experiences and excellent customer service to residents and their families., • Ability to maintain composure and manage stress in the workplace., • Work performed in a medical setting due to the need to prepare food onsite for residents., • Must be able to sit, stand, bend, reach, talk, hear, stoop, kneel, crouch, stretch, and twist., • While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be exposed to hazardous chemicals, infectious waste, blood and body fluid, diseases, and conditions prevalent at the time., • Required vision includes close, vision, distance, peripheral, and the ability to adjust focus., • Stamina to stand for extended periods while cooking, plating, and serving meals in the kitchen., • Capability to lift and carry heavy pots, pans, trays, and food containers weighing up to 20lbs, as needed during meal preparation and service., • Proficiency in performing tasks that require manual dexterity such as chipping, slicing, and handling kitchen utensils and equipment., • Knowledge of and adherence to safety protocols to prevent burns, cuts, slips, and other kitchen accidents, including proper handling of knives, hot surfaces, and kitchen equipment., • Maintain regular attendance and timeliness as set forth within the work schedule designated by the department supervisor/manager., • The job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations.