Cook at Luxury Senior Living Community

Job Description

Job Description

Description:

Great meals begin with quality ingredients, thoughtful preparation, and a team that takes pride in what they serve.

We’re seeking a skilled and dependable Cook to join our Dining Services team. This is a hands-on role responsible for preparing high-quality meals while maintaining the cleanliness, organization, and safety standards of the kitchen.

The ideal candidate takes pride in their work, understands the importance of consistency and presentation, and enjoys creating meals that residents look forward to.

About the Variel

We believe the later chapters of life deserve to be lived with purpose, comfort, and connection. The Variel is a modern senior living community in the heart of Woodland Hills, built on a simple conviction: exceptional senior living should offer the same warmth, quality, and attention to detail found in a luxury hotel. 

Our residents are more than customers, they are our neighbors, friends, and community. Every interaction, experience, and detail matters, from the care we provide to the way we welcome residents and their families each day.

At The Variel, we value genuine hospitality, teamwork, compassion, and accountability. We treat each other the way we wish to be treated in return, and we are committed to creating an environment where our residents and our team members can thrive.

About the location

Set at 6233 Variel Avenue in the Warner Center district of Woodland Hills, The Variel offers a vibrant setting surrounded by shopping, dining, entertainment, and the best of the West San Fernando Valley. With Westfield Topanga, local farmers markets, parks, and everyday conveniences just minutes away, our community provides residents with a comfortable and connected lifestyle. Designed with modern living in mind, The Variel combines thoughtful amenities, inviting spaces, and exceptional service to create an environment that feels welcoming, sophisticated, and distinctly like home.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Cook is responsible for hands-on food preparation and production within the Dining Services Department. This position prepares and serves meals according to established menus, recipes, dietary requirements, and quality standards while maintaining proper food safety and sanitation practices.

The Cook works closely with the culinary and dining teams to ensure meals are prepared accurately, efficiently, and on schedule. This position may also assist with meal service, ware washing, and other kitchen operations as needed.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES

• Maintain high standards of cleanliness, sanitation, organization, and safety throughout the kitchen.
• Prepare and serve meals according to established menus, recipes, quality standards, and production schedules.
• Prepare meals that meet required nutritional and dietary guidelines and follow established procedures for special diets and resident dietary needs.
• Ensure food meets standards for quality, appearance, presentation, portioning, and temperature.
• Demonstrate speed, accuracy, efficiency, and consistency in food preparation and production.
• Properly store, label, rotate, and handle food in accordance with food safety standards.
• Assist with meal service and ware washing as needed.
• Interact with residents and gather feedback regarding food quality, quantity, temperature, and presentation.
• Identify opportunities to improve food preparation, service, and kitchen procedures.
• Maintain confidentiality regarding resident dietary restrictions, preferences, and other personal information.
• Follow HIPAA requirements and company policies related to resident information.
• Properly use and care for knives, mixers, ovens, steam tables, steamers, slicers, ranges, grills, griddles, and other kitchen equipment.
• Complete assigned tasks in a timely and efficient manner.
• Attend required in-service training and participate in community or interdisciplinary meetings as assigned.
• Follow applicable Health Department, OSHA, food safety, and other regulatory requirements.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

• High school diploma or equivalent preferred.
• Minimum of 1 year of restaurant, senior living, institutional, or equivalent cooking experience.
• Current state-required food safety/sanitation certification or license, as applicable.
• Knowledge of food preparation, production, menu presentation, and food delivery systems.
• Knowledge of special diets and nutritional requirements preferred.
• Understanding of applicable Health Department, OSHA, and other regulatory requirements related to culinary services.
• Ability to speak, read, and comprehend English and communicate effectively.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to work cooperatively with residents, guests, coworkers, and other departments.
• Dependable, organized, and able to complete assignments efficiently.
• Basic computer skills, including familiarity with Microsoft Office, preferred.
• Ability to respond to community needs and emergencies as required.

Physical Requirements/Working Conditions 

• Ability to sit, stand, and walk frequently throughout the workday.
• Ability to climb, reach, bend, stoop, and twist occasionally and move safely throughout the kitchen.
• Medium work: Ability to exert up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, up to 20 pounds frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds constantly to move objects.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds with assistance occasionally.
• Ability to push and pull up to 50 pounds with assistance occasionally.
• Ability to safely operate kitchen equipment, including mixers, knives, ovens, steam tables, steamers, slicers, ranges, grills, and griddles.
• Ability to recognize auditory signals, including kitchen timers and verbal communication in a busy kitchen environment.
• Ability to distinguish odors associated with food preparation, food storage, cleanliness, and sanitation.
• May be exposed to heat, steam, cold temperatures, cleaning chemicals, and other typical kitchen conditions.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Variel of Woodland Hills is an equal employment opportunity employer. We do not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age (40 and over), disability, military status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws, and we prohibit harassment of applicants or employees based on any of these protected categories. We comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, including but not to limited, respecting consideration of unemployment status in making hiring decisions. Completing an application does not guarantee that you will be offered a position. We review all applications and strive to hire the candidates who are the most qualified to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodations.