Cook

• Preparing delicious and nutritious meals for our residents, guests and team members.
• Preparing meals according to dietary restrictions and preferences while maintaining high standards of food quality, presentation, and safety in accordance with state regulation and company policies and procedures.
• Ensuring quality food service is provided at all times.
• Oversees planning, preparation and delivery of breakfast, lunch, dinner, and special event food and beverage service daily to residents, visitors and team members of the community.

• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Must pass State and Company criminal background/drug screens.
• Demonstrates effective time management skills.
• Experience and/or knowledge of special diets, meal preparation for large groups and safe food handling techniques are required.
• Ability to read and understand recipes, work in a team environment, work flexible shifts, handle multiple tasks at one time and communicate effectively verbally and/or in writing.
• Ability to perform detail work involving math calculations, problem solve, handle emergency situations, read and understand menus.
• Must demonstrate competency in the following areas:
  • Read, write, speak and understand the English language.
  • Make independent decisions when circumstances warrant such action.
  • Interpret and implement written or oral policies, procedures, and instructions.

• Plan prep and prepare daily menus that meet the nutritional needs and culinary preferences of residents, incorporating fresh, seasonal ingredients and diverse flavors and cuisines.
• Cook and assemble meals according to established recipes, portion sizes, and presentation standards, ensuring consistency and quality in taste, appearance, and texture.
• Monitor food preparation and cooking processes to maintain food safety and sanitation standards, including proper handling, storage, and temperature control of ingredients and prepared dishes.
• Collaborate with culinary staff, nutritionists, and healthcare professionals to accommodate special dietary needs, allergies, and food intolerances of residents, ensuring compliance with individualized meal plans.
• Cook, assemble and set up meal service for special events.
• Maintain a clean and organized environment, including equipment, utensils, and workstations, following sanitation guidelines and regulatory requirements.
• Order and inventory food and supplies, monitoring stock levels and rotation to minimize waste and ensure availability of necessary ingredients for meal preparation.
• Assist with menu development, recipe testing, and special event planning to enhance dining experiences and meet resident preferences and feedback.
• Train and supervise culinary staff, providing guidance, feedback, and support to promote teamwork and professional growth.
• Adhere to budgetary constraints and cost-control measures, maximizing efficiency and minimizing expenses in food purchasing, preparation, and waste management.
• Ensures all leftovers are covered, labeled, dated and stored in the proper place.
• Assists the Culinary Director in assigned responsibilities or acts as Food & Beverage Service Director as assigned.
• Check menus daily for any required advance preparation. Notes substitutions on the posted menu and maintains various recipes in absence of Food & Beverage Service Director.
• Provide exceptional customer service to residents and dining room staff, addressing concerns or special requests promptly and courteously to ensure a positive dining experience.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

• Promotes and protects residents’ rights, treats residents with dignity and respect.
• Ensure the confidentiality of all residents is respected at all times (i.e., when answering telephone and/or speaking to co-workers).
• Approach all residents in a kind, gentle and friendly manner.
• Respect for the resident’s dignity and privacy is consistently provided.
• Maintain the confidentiality of all resident information.
• Demonstrate a courteous, polite, and friendly attitude with residents, families, and visitors.
• Demonstrates active listening techniques, gains support through effective relationships, treats others with dignity and respect and seeks feedback.
• Attends in-services and educational programs and attends continuing education as required.
• Respond to the needs of residents, families and visitors by providing immediate assistance.
• Function as a member of the team, assisting and supporting co-workers as needed.
• Use personal protective equipment when at risk of exposure to blood or other potentially hazardous body fluids and all other times indicated by facility policies and procedures.
• Reports any signs of rodent or pest infestation to the supervisor immediately.
• Familiarize self with Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) and Universal Worker Precautions for all housekeeping chemicals and cleaning supplies.
• Reports injury to self and others to supervisor immediately.
• Participants in the facility’s Quality Improvement program, as directed.
• Comply with all documentation policies/procedures.
• Use proper body mechanics when bending or lifting.
• Maintain knowledge of and comply with the community’s Infection Prevention policies and procedures.
• Know the community’s disaster and fire safety policies and procedures, including the location and correct use of the fire alarm system.
• Perform all duties according to policy in a professional manner.
• Comply with community attendance policies.
• Comply with community dress code policies.
• Attend scheduled staff meetings and/or in-service programs.
• Frequently:
  • Bend, stoop, lift, stir, walk and stand for extended periods throughout the work day.
  • Lift and/or Exert 25 to 50 pounds of force frequently and/or 10 to 20 pounds of force constantly.
  • Reach, carry, finger, grasp and feel objects related to duties.
  • Must possess senses (taste, smell, sight and hearing) or use prosthetics that will enable these senses to function adequately to fully meet requirements of this position.
  • Must be in good general health and demonstrate emotional stability.
  • Must be able to cope with mental and emotional stress of the position which includes adherence to strict time constraints.
• Occasionally o Able to lift and/or exert over 50 pounds of force with assistance.

• Is subject to potential exposure to infectious waste, disease, conditions, etc., including but not limited to, TB, HIV and Hepatitis B.
• Subject to falls, cuts, burns from equipment and hot foods, odors, etc. throughout the workday.
• May be exposed to heat/cold temperatures in kitchen/storage areas (i.e. kitchen may be warm while cooking and refrigeration units cold while in the units).
• May be exposed to fumes or chemicals.
• Noise level may be above normal in the work environment.

The Five Star ExperienceOur name reflects the level of service excellence we strive to maintain every day in every one of our senior living communities across the country. With a solid expertise in both senior living and hospitality, we put people first and never stop seeking ways to improve the lives of our residents and the products and services we deliver.When it comes to senior living, there are many options to choose from and it can be quite challenging to know how to judge what’s best for you or your loved one. When you see the name Five Star, we want you to feel confident in our commitment to delivering the quality care and services you need. Always wrapped in our warm, welcoming, hospitable ways; but never in a cold, clinical, or non-engaging manner. Award-winning health and wellness programs, delicious and nutritious dining options, comfortable and stylish furnishings, and a specially trained and highly compassionate staff make for a warm, comfortable environment that meets the industry-leading high standards we set for ourselves.The Five Star ExperienceOur Pillars and Values.You can find it in our pillars, which represent our promise to excel in each of three critical areas: Health & Wellness, Warmth & Hospitality, and Dining & Nutrition. You can also find it in our values:Putting people first – we respect and empower residents, their families, and all our employees throughout every communityActing with integrity – we are trusting and trustworthy, honest and fairMinding the business – we have a solid financial base, enabling us to invest in our staff and our communitiesListening and acting decisively – we always seek to improve and we take swift action when necessaryWorking to be our best – we go the extra mile to ensure that our senior living communities offer the best, most effective services and programming, and provide a secure, comfortable home for our valued residentsThe Five Star ExperienceWhat Makes Five Star Different?There are many other providers of senior living services; one of the things that differentiates Five Star from its competitors is our commitment to delivering an exceptional product backed by great processes with highly skilled professionals who serve from the heart. Additionally, our full-service model – in which many of our communities offer multiple senior living options (including independent and assisted living, rehabilitation, and skilled nursing care) – means that seniors can access the services they need as their situation changes over time.The Five Star ExperienceWhat does “Five Star” really mean?What does “Five Star” really mean? Exceptional comfort and care for residents, peace of mind and assurance for family members, commitment and rewards for employees, and a promise that every Five Star Senior Living community will meet and exceed the high standards we set for ourselves.