Head Cook

Location 2990 S Peoria St,Aurora, CO, 80014,United States Base Pay $22.00 - $25.00 / Hour Employee Type W2 Contact information Phone View phone number on click.appcast.io Description aa Prepare fresh Afghan and Persian meals and snacks according to approved menus and participant needs. Develop or support rotating menus that provide variety while reflecting participants’ cultural preferences and familiar foods. Prepare traditional dishes in quantities appropriate for a large group while maintaining consistent taste, quality, and portion size. Modify recipes as directed for low-sodium, diabetic-friendly, heart-healthy, vegetarian, allergy-restricted, soft, chopped, minced, or pureed diets. Follow each participant’s documented dietary restrictions, food allergies, and texture requirements; ensure the correct meal reaches the correct participant. Use appropriate cooking, cooling, holding, reheating, and serving procedures and maintain required food temperature logs. Prevent cross-contamination and follow hand hygiene, sanitation, and infection-control practices. Receive, label, date, store, rotate, and monitor food supplies using FIFO (first in, first out) practices. Maintain a clean, organized, and sanitary kitchen, including equipment, food-contact surfaces, storage areas, and floors. Monitor inventory, expiration dates, portioning, and food waste; assist with ordering while staying within the established food budget. Coordinate with caregivers, nursing staff, and management regarding participant dietary needs or concerns. Report concerns when a participant repeatedly refuses meals, has difficulty eating, or appears to have a change in appetite or swallowing ability. Prepare meals and snacks on schedule so service is timely and consistent with the adult day care program’s daily routine. Follow all organizational policies and applicable food-service, health department, and adult day care requirements. Requirements Demonstrated ability to prepare authentic or culturally familiar Afghan and Persian dishes suitable for older adults. Ability to reduce sodium, sugar, oil, or spice when needed without unnecessarily removing familiar flavor and cultural appeal. Willingness to listen to participant feedback and adjust menus appropriately while continuing to meet nutrition and safety requirements. Preferred Qualifications Must be bi-lingual in both English and Arabic Previous professional cooking experience; experience in adult day care, senior living, healthcare, assisted living, school food service, or other high-volume settings is preferred. Must have Food Handler or food safety certification Experience preparing Afghan and Persian cuisine; strong experience in at least one cuisine with willingness to learn the other may be considered. Knowledge of senior nutrition, food allergies, special diets, and texture-modified foods. Food-handler or food-safety certification as required; ServSafe certification is preferred where applicable. Ability to prepare food for large groups while maintaining consistency, quality, and safe food-handling practices. Dependable, organized, able to work independently, and comfortable coordinating with a multidisciplinary care team. #J-18808-Ljbffr