Cook

Description **Summary:**

The Cook is responsible for preparing food for our residents that meets or exceeds the hospitality and service standards of Avanti. The Cook will ensure that all foods prepared meet the necessary quality, quantity, and deadline requirements, as well as, ensuring a clean and safe kitchen/workstation. This position is responsible for staying up to date on all federal and state health department standards and codes for proper food storage, handling, and preparation.

**Essential Duties & Responsibilities:**

* Prepare food items using standardized recipes and fresh ingredients (not frozen, pre-made, pre-breaded)

* Prepare all special dietary needs as directed by the Resident Menus.

* Monitor all food items to see that at least the minimum guidelines for temperature, taste, and quality are always upheld.

* Maintain or exceed standards of appearance, cleanliness, hygiene, and health standards.

* Practice all safety and loss prevention procedures.

* Responsible for following all local, state, and federal policies regarding food handling.

* Assist in resetting and vacuuming dining room as needed.

* Assist with state required documentation including but not limited to: temperature logs, taste panel forms, and cleaning schedules.

* Responsible for placing food orders and coming up with meal plans if Culinary Director is absent

* Must Sharpen knives and make sure all equipment is up to standards

* Responsible for washing dishes used in cooking

* Attend mandatory monthly in-service and safety meetings.

* Promote the Vision, Values, and Mission of Avanti Senior Living.

* Other duties as assigned or may be necessary in an organization having overlapping roles and responsibilities.

Requirements Health & Safety Responsibilities

* Responsible for following and advocating all government and state health and safety policy regulations.

* Perform job duties in compliance with company policy and procedures and state licensing regulations.

* Adhere to confidentiality policy regarding information concerning residents and employees, HIPPA.

* Be familiar with Standard Precautions, Exposure Control Plan, Fire Drill and Evacuation Procedures and know how to use the information.

* If certified and/or trained per state guidelines, provide residents with services in accordance with physician orders in assisting with administration of treatment and medications.

* Be observant and aware of any situations or occurrence in the community that may pose a safety hazard to residents or staff. Report such observation immediately to the Wellness Director

Avanti Culture

* Ensure all residents are treated as unique individuals with individualized needs and are treated with dignity and respect at all times.

* Always treat family members and colleagues with kindness, respect, and dignity in line with Avanti Core Values.

* Must exhibit and promote a high level of customer service, hospitality, courtesy and friendliness towards all prospects, residents, visitors, employees and the overall community.

**Additional Responsibilities:**

* Attend all required meetings and in-services.

* Be observant and aware of any situations or occurrence in the community that may pose a safety hazard to residents or staff. Report such observation immediately to the Wellness Director.

* Must remain on duty and provide essential functions for residents until shift replacement arrives.

* Adhere to company policy for time and attendance.

**Physical/Environmental Demands:**

* Moving about on foot to accomplish tasks and support residents, particularly for long distances.

* Standing, particularly for sustained periods of time.

* Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally to push, lift, carry, pull, or otherwise move objects.

* Must have clear and color vision and the ability to adjust focus when necessary

* Must meet the general health requirements set forth by the communities, which may include a medical and physical examination.

* Must be able to assist in the evacuation of residents & exchange accurate information in these situations.

* Must have the ability to hear and react to Exit Door Alarms and Emergency phone rings.

* Must pass physical requirement, TB test, background check, drug test and maintain required immunizations.

**Desired Skills and Experience:**

* High School Diploma or equivalent is required

* Minimum of one-year experience as cook preparing full line of menu items.

* Must hold a Food Handlers license or must have the ability to obtain it shortly after hire

* Ability to successfully work and thrive in a fast-paced, restaurant style environment

* Good knife skills and familiar with all cooking methods.

* Able to prepare therapeutic/modified diets.

* Able to prepare fresh food (not frozen or pre-made) in a senior housing environment, which meets or exceeds hospitality and service standards.

* Basic personal computer skills including electronic mail, word processing, spreadsheet, internet etc.

* Proficient in written and verbal English.

* Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work with staff and external constituents.

* Demonstration of ability to establish long-term relationships.

* Must exhibit and promote a high level of customer service, hospitality, courtesy and friendliness towards all prospects, residents, visitors, employees and the overall community.

* Must have compassion for and a desire to work with the older adult population.

* Able to work on all Holidays, and for pre-planned special events.

* Able to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization.

* Able to communicate effectively in writing and orally, speaking the primary language of the residents.

* Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.

* Able to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.

* Able to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.

* Able to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

* Ability to easily learn, understand, and adapt to new or unfamiliar technology.

**Environmental Adaptability:**

* Works primarily indoor in a climate-controlled setting

* Possible exposure to unpleasant odors

* Possible exposure to chemicals as identified in the MSDS Manual

* Possible exposure to verbal aggression from vendors, guests, residents and/or family members.

* Continuous exposure to clients and/or family members who may be under stress

**Working Hours**

* Must be available to work weekends, extended shift hours, holidays, on short notice, and when required by management.

* Must be Flexible with work schedule and related job assignments