Cooks

The Cook prepares food in accordance with company standards and federal, state, and local standards, guidelines, and regulations to ensure that quality nutritional services are provided on a daily basis and that the culinary services are maintained in a clean, safe, and sanitary manner.

Essential Activities and Tasks

• Prepares and serves all products and meals so they are palatable and appetizing in appearance by following planned menus and using the recipe cards.
• Ensures timely and efficient meal service by preparing food in accordance with quality standards, sanitary regulations, and established policies and procedures.
• Stocks and maintains sufficient levels of food products at line stations to ensure a smooth service period.
• Refers to daily prep list and opening checklist at the start of each shift and the closing checklist for the end of each shift for assigned duties to complete.
• Portions food products prior to cooking according to standard portion sizes, recipe specifications, and portion control procedures.
• Reviews production for raw quantities to prepare and estimate required portions.
• Informs supervisor immediately of product shortages.
• Communicates inventory of leftover foods to supervisor for integrating into weekly menu.
• Handles, stores, and rotates all products properly.
• Assists in maintaining department work areas and equipment in a clean and safe manner by participating in cleaning duties, following sanitation schedule, and disposing of food and waste properly for tables, shelves, walls, grills, broilers, fryers, pasta cookers, sauté burners, convection oven, flat top range, and refrigeration equipment.
• Assists with executing catering needs and special events.
• Assists departmental leadership in development of cooking staff with training and coaching as directed.
• In the absence of supervisor, assumes the responsibility of food production operations.

  Quality, Compliance, and Risk Management

• Ensures food production of consistently high quality food, always delivering and presenting a quality plate every time.
• Ensures that the resident's individual needs are met by following special diet orders and serving food in accordance with established portion control procedures.
• Ensures that culinary services work areas and equipment are maintained in a clean and sanitary manner.
• Ensures that established quality assurance, infection control, and universal precaution practices are maintained when performing dietary procedures.
• Willingly and consistently shares observations and insights of departmental operations that may improve quality and efficiencies of department.
• Attends all-employee and departmental meetings and in-service training as scheduled or as directed.

  Customer Relations and Service Delivery

• Listens and responds to the needs of residents and staff members.
• Maintains the confidentiality of resident care information.

  Administration and Reporting

• Maintains current and accurate records through use of computers and/or other documentation in accordance with company standards and federal, state, and local standards, guidelines, and regulations.
• Maintains production orders and usage logs.

  All other duties as assigned.