Lead Cook (Assisted Living)

Job Description

Job Description

LEAD COOK CRANE HOUSE

GENERAL PURPOSE:

The Assisted Living Lead Cook is responsible for overseeing the daily operation of the assisted living dining program while actively participating in food preparation and service. This position ensures that residents receive safe, nutritious, appealing, and timely meals that meet individual dietary needs, preferences, restrictions, and requests.

The Dietary Supervisor/Cook provides day-to-day leadership to dietary staff, maintains compliance with applicable Ohio Department of Health (ODH) requirements and organizational policies, and promotes a positive dining experience consistent with Judson’s “Comfort Matters” philosophy.

This position requires a strong working knowledge of food safety, sanitation, therapeutic and modified diets, menu planning, production, documentation, staff supervision, and the unique dining needs of an aging population.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities :

• Prepares and serves high quality, attractive and tasty food items at the correct temperature and portion size 
• Follows the 6 week rotating meal menus and provides accurate and timely feedback to manager
• Takes orders and serves members and guests in an efficient, friendly manner following established steps of service
• Knowledge and ability to prepare, finish and serve special diets and proper consistencies such as pureed, mechanical soft, nectar thick, honey thick, and other specific requests
• Ensures service kitchens are stocked and ready for service at meal start times
• Works with CH Manager, Associates, Care Partners, Nurses and Director of Crane House to create a positive, pleasant and efficient dining experience with compassion and care towards the members, guests and fellow associates
• Maintains and monitors daily temperature log record-keeping of food, dishwasher and refrigeration according to ODH requirements
• Accurately tracks member and guests meals in the Full Count register system after each meal
• Controls organization and inventory of Crane House food, equipment and supplies
• Maintains awareness of member’s special diets, portion sizes and requests and communicates with nursing daily about any changes in member diets or status
• Communicates stock needs, diet changes, important member information or activity to fellow Crane associates and manager in a timely manner
• Cleans and sanitizes dishware, kitchen and pantry after preparation and service, maintaining high standards of cleanliness
• Maintains clean refrigerators, stove, storage areas and equipment, and deposits garbage, linen, pots and pans, etc. to proper areas after service
• Properly stores or disposes of food, in accordance with safe food-handling procedures, label and date containers as required by ODH 
• Leads by example through professionalism, dependability, teamwork, and positive attitude.
• Reinforces organizational policies, procedures, standards and expectations
• Maintains a professional work environment, ss passionate about guest service and holds an appealing environment for healthy dining.

Judson Core Values:

This position requires incumbents to exhibit the skills necessary to represent and support Judson’s Core Values: Accountability; Belonging; Collaboration; Communication; Innovation; Integrity. 

Minimum Qualifications, Education and Certifications :

• High school diploma or GED. 
• ServSafe food handler, training will be provided if needed
• Ability to read, write, and follow written and oral instructions. 
• Comply with health and sanitation guidelines, aware of State and County expectations and actively work on being “State Ready”
• Aware of open kitchen surroundings. Clean uniform, apron, hat/beard net and gloves, name tag are expectations. No personal cell phone use in restaurants and common public areas
• 2 year full time or equivalent part-time experience using basic standard cooking techniques for the preparation and cooking of food in a fine dining restaurant, casual dining cafeteria, hospital, or assisted living &/or a Diploma or certificate from a recognized trade, technical or vocational school at high school or college such as Tri- C with a major in culinary arts 
• Experience in food preparation for special dietary needs or ability and willingness to learn basic preparation methods to serve our members 
• Culinary training and dietary/retirement community experience preferred. 
• Physical demands may include kneeling, climbing ladders, reaching, pushing, manipulating, talking, hearing, standing for extended periods, crouching, stooping, walking, lifting up to 40 pounds, and repetitive motion. 
• South Franklin Circle serves breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Working variable weekends, holidays.

Compliance Statement

All responsibilities must be performed in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations, including applicable Ohio Department of Health requirements , food-safety regulations, licensing requirements, and Judson Senior Living policies and procedures. Duties may be modified or expanded as regulatory requirements, resident needs, and organizational operations change.

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees in this position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications.