Lead Cook (Full Time)

Job Opportunity

Make a Real Difference, Every Single Day

As a nonprofit leader in aging, Eskaton helps people live well, longer — with trusted guidance at every stage. We believe aging should be a vibrant, supported, and celebrated journey, not an experience to face alone. For over 55 years, Eskaton has been a cornerstone of Northern California, growing a network of 23 communities dedicated to older adults and the people who care for them. When you join us, you're not just starting a job. You're stepping into a career where your work creates a real impact on people's daily lives and strengthening the communities we call home.

We Invest in You (Because You Invest in Others)

We know that to take great care of our residents, we must take great care of you. We are genuinely committed to your health, your happiness, and your future. That's why we offer:

• Financial Security: Competitive pay and a 401K matching program to help you plan for your own future.
• Total Wellbeing: Comprehensive benefits that support your physical and mental health.
• A Place Where You Belong: We celebrate diversity and equity across the entire aging spectrum, ensuring every team member feels seen and valued.

Our DNA (Core Values)

We're looking for people who align with our mission and want to grow with us:

• Welcoming: You're a natural at creating warmth and a sense of belonging for everyone you meet.
• Bring (Y)our Best: You take pride in your work and strive for excellence in the "little things" and the "big things" alike.
• Empowerment: You don't wait for permission to do the right thing. You step up, take ownership, and lead with initiative.
• Growth: You're a lifelong learner who seeks consistent improvement and sustainable growth.

Essential Job Functions

• Applies sanitation and safety techniques while working and supervising.
• Is responsible for all kitchen activities in the absence of Manager/Director.
• Assists in training of food service personnel as directed.
• Assists in the scheduling, cleaning and maintaining of kitchen facility and equipment according to schedules, and procedures. Routinely checks and maintains temperature logs for completion.
• Prepares and cooks meals according to recipes and menus, food production methods, regulatory requirements and therapeutic diet orders, ensuring palatability and quality.
• Practices and applies portion control of all diets during preparation and service while supervising kitchen staff during meal service.
• Makes appropriate notations of food substitutions on daily menus and communicates to Manager/Manager on Duty.
• Assists in inventory, ordering, rotation and maintaining of foods in all storage areas.
• Familiar with food service disaster plan.

Other Job Functions

• Models and embodies Eskaton's core values, including:
• Creating a sense of warmth, welcoming and belonging for all
• Fostering excellence in everything we do
• Seeking consistent improvement, learning and sustainable growth
• Stepping up, taking ownership and leading with initiative
• Fully complies with all provisions in Eskaton's Corporate Compliance Policy and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
• Maintains attendance as outlined in Eskaton policy.
• Follows required dress code and Eskaton's Community Appearance Standards. Maintains a professional image to the public and residents.
• Works in accordance with established safety guidelines; uses proper body mechanics; follows safe work practices; wears appropriate safety gear.

Starting pay ranges from $21.65 per hour - $ 26.00 per hour. Factors such as scope, responsibilities, experience, education, job-related skills, internal equity, and market considerations may influence base pay.

Qualifications

Education: High school graduate or GED.

Training and Experience: Previous Food Service Experience Preferred. Serve Safe Certification

Knowledge and Abilities:

Must have knowledge of safe food handling and preparation. Must have knowledge of good practices to avoid waste and misuse. Must have the ability to present foods in an attractive and palatable manner and to test quality of food by taste and smell. Must have a broad knowledge of breakfast, lunch and dinner entree preparation. Must have a broad knowledge of scratch soups, sauces/gravies, starches and vegetables.

Work Conditions & Physical Requirements

Requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. Notify the Human Resources team to request any accommodation(s) to perform any of the essential functions of this position.

X - Medium Work - Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

The final candidate must successfully pass Eskaton's post offer, pre-employment testing which includes a criminal background check, drug test, TB screen test and health screen. All new hires are required to sign an arbitration agreement as a condition of employment.

Eskaton is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation or protected veteran status.

Equal Opportunity Employer This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.