Prep Cook

Prep Cook

Discovery Management Group leads one of the nation's most purpose-driven and people-centered senior living organizations, managing and enhancing senior living communities across the United States. With a focus on operational excellence, lifestyle personalization, and culture-driven leadership, we proudly serve residents and families with more than 15,000 units nationwide and growing.

As part of one of the largest senior living families in the U.S., our communities have earned Great Place to Work certifications from 20222026. At Discovery Management Group, purpose guides our work, culture fuels our success, and growth defines our future. We continually aspire and invest in learning and development opportunities that support our team members' professional growth, ensuring every team member has the tools to build a meaningful and rewarding career.

As a Prep Cook, you'll play an essential role in enriching the lives of seniors, creating meaningful connections, and making a difference every single day.

Your Role:

As a Prep Cook, you will play an important role in supporting daily meal preparation by ensuring food is prepared safely, consistently, and on time. This position helps uphold quality dining standards while supporting an organized, clean, and efficient kitchen environment.

Position Highlights:

• Status: Part-Time
• Schedule: [ENTER SCHEDULE, INCLUDING WEEKENDS IF APPLICABLE]
• Location: 800 S River Rd Des Plaines IL 60016
• Rate of Pay: [HOURLY OR SALARY RATE OF PAY]

What You'll Do:

• Prepare food items using standardized recipes in a timely manner
• Coordinate food preparation with serving hours to support smooth meal service
• Monitor food items to ensure minimum standards for temperature, taste, and quality are consistently met
• Ensure proper preparation, portioning, and presentation of menu items according to menu cycles and recipes
• Taste and evaluate food during preparation to maintain quality standards
• Maintain or exceed standards for cleanliness, hygiene, and food safety
• Practice all safety and loss prevention procedures
• Oversee proper food storage, including labeling and date checks
• Complete assigned cleaning duties for kitchen and prep areas
• Follow all local, state, and federal food handling regulations
• Maintain required food safety equipment and temperature records
• Perform other duties as assigned

Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent preferred
• One (1) year of job-related experience including food preparation, full-line menu items, and therapeutic diets
• Culinary apprenticeship or formal culinary training preferred
• Food Services Sanitation Certificate required
• Ability to follow standardized recipes and food safety guidelines
• Ability to work in a fast-paced kitchen environment
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality

Benefits You'll Enjoy:

• Competitive wages
• Early access to earned wages before payday!
• Flexible scheduling options with full-time and part-time hours
• Paid time off and Holidays (full-time)
• Comprehensive benefit package including health, dental, vision, life and disability insurances (full-time)
• 401(K) with employer match
• Paid training
• Opportunities for growth and advancement
• Company provided uniforms
• Employee Assistance Program

Why Join Us:

Discovery Senior Living earned coveted Great Place to Work Certification for 2025-2026! A large part of what makes Discovery different from other companies in this industry is our willingness to embrace change. At Discovery Senior Living, we are constantly challenging how we are doing things to ensure the lifestyle we are offering our residents is absolutely the greatest value proposition in the marketplace. It's just as important to us that the environment and culture for our team members are constantly refreshed. In addition, embracing and even encouraging change brings a never-ending supply of new energy to our business and our culture. That energy translates to other far-reaching positive impacts on our residents as well as our team members.

Our Culture & Values:

So often, what brings people together is deeply rooted in who we are and what we stand for. And at Discovery Senior Living, we're unified by certain, core values, which we call our "Pillars of Excellence." They make up the fabric of our company, and include TEAMWORK, INTEGRITY, PERFORMANCE, ACCOUNTABILITY, COMPASSION, HARD WORK and CREATIVITY.

Individually, they are our virtues, and together, they make up a roadmap which helps us foster innovation and success.

Equal Opportunity Employer:

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all team members. EOE D/V

A Note to Applicants:

This job description outlines the general nature and level of responsibilities for this role and is not an exhaustive list of all duties. Qualified individuals with disabilities, as defined by the ADA, must be able to perform the essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation, as determined on a case-by-case basis.

Agency Policy:

We do not accept unsolicited resumes from staffing agencies. Please refrain from contacting hiring managers directly.

Employment Scam Warning:

We only post jobs on our official careers site and accept applications through that platform. We do not conduct interviews via text or social media or ask for personal or banking information.

Regulatory Compliance & Background Screening:

Discovery Senior Living complies with all applicable federal, state, and local employment laws and regulatory requirements governing hiring practices, background screening, and workforce eligibility. Employment may be contingent upon successful completion of state-mandated and/or federally required background screenings, which may include criminal history checks, fingerprint-based screening, Level 2 background screening, registry verification, and other screenings required for healthcare and senior living roles with direct or indirect resident access.

Certain positions may be subject to additional requirements under federal programs, including CMS, Medicare, and Medicaid regulations, as well as state-specific licensing or regulatory agencies. Screening requirements vary by role and jurisdiction, and candidates must meet all applicable standards as a condition of employment. These measures support regulatory compliance and help maintain a safe, secure environment for residents, families, and team members.

Employment in Florida is contingent upon completion of a Level 2 background screening in accordance with Florida AHCA requirements. Applicants will be required to complete fingerprinting and background screening through the AHCA Clearinghouse. For more information, please visit: