Cook

Description Meadowcrest at Middletown SUMMARY: This position is responsible for preparing food that meets or exceeds hospitality and service standards of the community; preparing all foods to meet quantity and deadline requirements.


DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Prepares food items using standardized recipes in a timely manner. Determines food and supplies needed and coordinates meal production with serving hours. Monitors all food items to see that at least the minimum guidelines for temperature, taste, and quality are upheld at all times. Ensures the proper preparation, portioning, and serving of foods as indicated on the menu cycle and standardized recipes; tastes and prepares food to determine quality. Maintains or exceeds standards of appearance, cleanliness, hygiene, and health standards. Practices all safety and loss prevention procedures. Oversees food storage; checks labels and dates. Completes cleaning duties. Follows all local, state, and federal policies regarding food handling. Assists with proper documentation of temperature logs and cleaning schedules. Maintains food safety equipment records and food safety temperature records. Performs other related duties as assigned by management.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: This job has no supervisory responsibilities.
QUALIFICATIONS: High school diploma or general education degree (GED), or one to three months related experience and/or training, or equivalent combination of education and experience. Certificates, licenses and registrations required: Food Services Sanitation Certificate Other skills required: One (1) year job related experience including food preparation, full-line menu items and therapeutic diets. Culinary apprenticeship or training preferred. Ability to communicate effectively speaking the primary language of the residents. Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form, ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations. Must demonstrate an interest in working with a senior population. Interacts with guests, residents and staff in a courteous and friendly manner. Ability to respond promptly to resident needs. Supports organization's goals and values. Balances team and individual responsibilities. Ability to work flexible hours as needed. Ability to handle multiple priorities. Must demonstrate good judgment, problem solving and decision-making skills. Competent in organizational, time management skills. COMPETENCIES: Diversity - Demonstrates knowledge of EEO policy; Shows respect and sensitivity for cultural differences; Educates others on the value of diversity; Promotes a harassment-free environment; Builds a diverse workforce. Ethics - Treats people with respect; Keeps commitments; Inspires the trust of others; Works with integrity and ethically; Upholds organizational values. Adaptability - Adapts to changes in the work environment; Manages competing demands; Changes approach or method to best fit the situation; Able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events. Analytical - Synthesizes complex or diverse information; Collects and researches data; Uses intuition and experience to complement data; Designs work flows and procedures. Attendance/Punctuality - Is consistently at work and on time; Ensures work responsibilities are covered when absent; Arrives at meetings and appointments on time. Cost Consciousness - Works within approved budget; Develops and implements cost saving measures; Contributes to profits and revenue; Conserves organizational resources. Customer Service - Manages difficult or emotional customer situations; Responds promptly to customer needs; Solicits customer feedback to improve service; Responds to requests for service and assistance; Meets commitments. Dependability - Follows instructions, responds to management direction; Takes responsibility for own actions; Keeps commitments; Commits to long hours of work when necessary to reach goals; Completes tasks on time or notifies appropriate person with an alternate plan. Design - Generates creative solutions; Translates concepts and information into images; Uses feedback to modify designs; Applies design principles; Demonstrates attention to detail. Initiative - Volunteers readily; Undertakes self-development activities; Seeks increased responsibilities; Takes independent actions and calculated risks; Looks for and takes advantage of opportunities; Asks for and offers help when needed. Innovation - Displays original thinking and creativity; Meets challenges with resourcefulness; Generates suggestions for improving work; Develops innovative approaches and ideas; Presents ideas and information in a manner that gets others' attention. Interpersonal Skills - Focuses on solving conflict, not blaming; Maintains confidentiality; Listens to others without interrupting; Keeps emotions under control; Remains open to others' ideas and tries new things. Judgement - Displays willingness to make decisions; Exhibits sound and accurate judgment; Supports and explains reasoning for decisions; Includes appropriate people in decision-making process; Makes timely decisions. Leadership - Exhibits confidence in self and others; Inspires and motivates others to perform well; Effectively influences actions and opinions of others; Accepts feedback from others; Gives appropriate recognition to others. Motivation - Sets and achieves challenging goals; Demonstrates persistence and overcomes obstacles; Measures self against standard of excellence; Takes calculated risks to accomplish goals. Oral Communication - Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; Listens and gets clarification; Responds well to questions; Demonstrates group presentation skills; Participates in meetings. Organizational Support - Follows policies and procedures; Completes administrative tasks correctly and on time; Supports organization's goals and values; Benefits organization through outside activities; Supports affirmative action and respects diversity. Planning/Organizing - Prioritizes and plans work activities; Uses time efficiently; Plans for additional resources; Sets goals and objectives; Organizes or schedules other people and their tasks; Develops realistic action plans. Problem Solving - Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; Gathers and analyzes information skillfully; Develops alternative solutions; Works well in group problem solving situations; Uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics. Professionalism - Approaches others in a tactful manner; Reacts well under pressure; Treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; Accepts responsibility for own actions; Follows through on commitments. Quality - Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; Looks for ways to improve and promote quality; Applies feedback to improve performance; Monitors own work to ensure quality. Quality Management - Looks for ways to improve and promote quality; Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness. Quantity - Meets productivity standards; Completes work in timely manner; Strives to increase productivity; Works quickly. Safety and Security - Observes safety and security procedures; Determines appropriate action beyond guidelines; Reports potentially unsafe conditions; Uses equipment and materials properly. Teamwork - Balances team and individual responsibilities; Exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views; Gives and welcomes feedback; Contributes to building a positive team spirit; Puts success of team above own interests; Able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives; Supports everyone's efforts to succeed. Technical Skills - Assesses own strengths and weaknesses; Pursues training and development opportunities; Strives to continuously build knowledge and skills; Shares expertise with others. Visionary Leadership - Displays passion and optimism; Inspires respect and trust; Mobilizes others to fulfill the vision; Provides vision and inspiration to peers and subordinates. Written Communication - Writes clearly and informatively; Edits work for spelling and grammar; Varies writing style to meet needs; Presents numerical data effectively; Able to read and interpret written information.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT: Continually required to stand. Continually required to walk. Continually required to utilize hand and finger dexterity. Occasionally required to climb, balance, bend, stoop, kneel or crawl. Continually required to talk or hear. Continually required to taste or smell.
Occasionally works around fumes, airborne particles, or toxic chemicals.
Occasionally exposed to extreme heat or cold (non-weather). The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds / continually lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include: Close Vision Additional remarks regarding work environment: Works primarily indoors. #MSL