Cook - FT
Company: Simpson
Location: Downingtown
Posted on: October 23, 2024
|
|
|
Job Description:
Job DetailsLevel ExperiencedJob Location Simpson Meadows -
Downingtown, PAPosition Type Full TimeEducation Level High School
-Travel Percentage NoneJob Shift DayJob Category Restaurant - Food
Service Description For more than 150 years, Simpson has met the
changing needs and desires of Philadelphia area seniors from
diverse backgrounds. A not-for-profit family of services, Simpson
House, Simpson Meadows, Jenner's Pond, Simpson Gardens I & II, and
Simpson Midtown, as well as Simpson Home Care. Our loyal and
long-term staff is full of caring professionals who truly love what
they do.
Simpson provides residents with a lifestyle that includes on-campus
conveniences, services, and amenities such as casual and fine
dining venues, beauty salons, fitness centers, security,
healthcare, activity programs, and much more. Our employees are
inspired by a culture of Loving-Kindness, and we are fully
committed to appreciating the array of backgrounds and talents
demonstrated by our employees.
Simpson is looking for a Cook to join our dynamic and seasoned
team. If you are looking for a challenging opportunity to showcase
your unique skills in the Personal Care industry, get in touch with
us to discuss how you can join our team. Take a look at the details
below for the position.
Position Summary: As a Cook in a Senior Living facility, your
primary responsibility will be to prepare and serve nutritious
meals to the residents while ensuring a pleasant dining experience.
You will work closely with the culinary team to create menus that
cater to the dietary needs and preferences of Simpson Residents
independent living, assisted living, personal care and
residents.
Essential Duties
Menu Planning: Collaborate with the culinary team to develop menus
that meet the nutritional requirements and special dietary needs of
the senior residents. Consider factors such as allergies,
restrictions, and personal preferences while planning meals.
Food Preparation: Prepare meals according to the established
recipes and portion sizes, ensuring that the food is cooked to the
appropriate temperature and consistency. Pay attention to food
presentation to enhance the overall dining experience.
Dietary Accommodations: Modify recipes and meal plans to
accommodate residents' dietary restrictions, such as low-sodium,
diabetic-friendly, or pureed diets. Maintain accurate records of
special dietary requests and ensure proper communication with the
kitchen staff.
Kitchen Management: Manage the kitchen operations efficiently,
including inventory control, ordering supplies, and monitoring food
storage to maintain freshness and minimize waste. Follow proper
food safety and sanitation practices to ensure compliance with
health regulations.
Resident Interaction: Foster positive relationships with the senior
residents by engaging with them during meal service and
accommodating their individual needs. Address any concerns or
complaints promptly and courteously, striving to create a warm and
welcoming dining environment.
Team Collaboration: Work collaboratively with other kitchen staff
members, such as sous chefs, line cooks, and food servers, to
ensure smooth operations and timely meal service. Assist in
training new kitchen staff and provide guidance when needed.
Menu Feedback and Improvement: Gather feedback from residents
regarding the meals and dining experience. Use this information to
continuously improve the menu offerings, taking into account
residents' preferences, cultural diversity, and evolving dietary
guidelines.
Safety and Cleanliness: Maintain a clean and organized kitchen
environment, adhering to safety standards and proper handling of
kitchen equipment. Monitor and document temperature logs, equipment
maintenance, and cleaning schedules to ensure compliance with
health regulations.
Knife Skills: Utilize proper knife skills for slicing, chopping,
and dicing of food to ensure safety at all times.
Other duties as assigned.
Core Competencies of a Cook in Senior Living:
Culinary Skills: Possess a strong foundation in culinary
techniques, including food preparation, cooking methods, and recipe
execution. Have the ability to create flavorful and visually
appealing dishes that meet the dietary requirements and preferences
of senior residents.
Knowledge of Senior Nutrition: Understand the nutritional needs of
the elderly population, including dietary restrictions, allergies,
and health conditions. Be familiar with special diets such as
low-sodium, diabetic-friendly, and pureed diets, and be able to
modify recipes accordingly.
Menu Planning and Adaptation: Demonstrate the ability to plan menus
that are balanced, nutritious, and enjoyable for senior residents.
Have the skills to adapt menus based on feedback, dietary
restrictions, and changing guidelines or resident preferences.
Food Safety and Sanitation: Adhere to strict food safety and
sanitation practices to ensure the health and well-being of senior
residents. Understand proper handling, storage, and temperature
control of food items, as well as cleanliness and maintenance of
the kitchen environment.
Communication and Interpersonal Skills: Possess excellent
communication skills to effectively interact with senior residents,
kitchen staff, and other team members. Be able to understand and
fulfill individual dietary requests and address any concerns or
feedback in a courteous and empathetic manner.
Time Management and Efficiency: Work efficiently in a fast-paced
environment, managing multiple tasks and ensuring timely meal
service. Have the ability to prioritize tasks, coordinate with
other kitchen staff, and maintain productivity without compromising
food quality.
Flexibility and Adaptability: Adapt to changes in menus, dietary
needs, and resident preferences. Demonstrate flexibility in
accommodating individual requests and adjusting recipes or meal
plans accordingly.
Attention to Detail: Pay close attention to detail in food
preparation, portioning, and presentation to ensure consistent
quality and an aesthetically pleasing dining experience. Have a
keen eye for quality control and strive for excellence in all
aspects of meal preparation.
Teamwork and Collaboration: Work effectively as part of a culinary
team, collaborating with sous chefs, line cooks, and food servers.
Foster a positive and supportive work environment, assisting team
members when needed and contributing to a smooth and efficient
operation.
Empathy and Compassion: Show empathy and compassion towards senior
residents, understanding their unique needs and challenges. Foster
a warm and welcoming dining atmosphere that promotes a sense of
community and enhances the overall well-being of the residents.
These core competencies are essential for a Cook in Senior Living
to excel in their role and provide high-quality meals that meet the
nutritional needs and preferences of the elderly population.
Qualifications Work Environment:
Retirement community providing service to senior adults in
independent, assisted and skilled nursing community.
Working Industrial kitchen environment with confined spaces such as
freezers and storage areas.
Working at ovens, stoves and industrial dish washing machines
resulting in a hot environments (above 82 degrees Fahrenheit).
Occasionally uses possibly hazardous cleaning chemical such as but
not limited to industrial degreasers and cleansers.
High level of stress due to strict deadlines or other scheduling
related occupational requirements
Other possible exposures to hazard: Cuts and/or burns
Physical Requirements:
The role of a Cook in Senior Living involves physical activity,
including standing for extended periods, lifting heavy pots and
pans, cases of frozen food, industrial size food cans, cases of and
working in a hot and humid kitchen environment. Ability to lift 50
lbs. Good physical stamina and the ability to handle the physical
demands of the job are important.
Equipment/tools/machines used in performance of this job:
As a cook in Senior Living, you will utilize a variety of equipment
and tools to prepare meals efficiently and safely. Some common
equipment used in this role includes:
Commercial Range: A commercial range with multiple burners and
ovens is essential for cooking a variety of dishes simultaneously.
It allows for precise temperature control and accommodates
different cooking methods such as sauteing, boiling, simmering, and
baking.
Grills and Griddles: Grills and griddles are often used to prepare
grilled meats, sandwiches, pancakes, and other items that require
direct heat. They provide a consistent and even cooking surface,
allowing for the perfect sear and grill marks.
Convection Ovens: Convection ovens are equipped with fans that
circulate hot air, resulting in faster and more even cooking. These
ovens are used for baking, roasting, and broiling a wide range of
dishes, including baked goods, casseroles, and roasted meats.
Steamers: Steamers are commonly used in Senior Living kitchens to
cook vegetables, seafood, and rice while preserving their nutrients
and flavors. They provide a gentle and healthy cooking method by
utilizing steam to cook food items.
Mixers and Food Processors: Mixers and food processors are used for
various tasks such as mixing dough, whipping cream, and preparing
sauces. These appliances help save time and ensure consistent
results in large-scale food preparation.
Slicers and Mandolins: Slicers and mandolins are used for precision
slicing and cutting of fruits, vegetables, and meats. They help
achieve uniform thickness and save time when preparing ingredients
for salads, stir-fries, and other dishes.
Blenders and Immersion Blenders: Blenders and immersion blenders
are used to puree soups, sauces, and smoothies. They help achieve
smooth and velvety textures and are especially useful when catering
to residents with specific dietary needs.
Food Processors: Food processors are versatile tools that can chop,
dice, shred, and puree ingredients. They are helpful for preparing
large quantities of ingredients, such as chopping onions, shredding
cheese, or making pesto.
Mixing Bowls, Utensils, and Knives: Cooks rely on a variety of
mixing bowls, spatulas, tongs, ladles, whisks, and knives to
prepare and handle ingredients efficiently. High-quality knives are
essential for precise cutting and chopping tasks.
Pots, Pans, and Baking Sheets: Cooks use a range of pots, pans, and
baking sheets in different sizes to cook and bake a variety of
dishes. These utensils are made of materials such as stainless
steel, cast iron, or non-stick materials for efficient cooking and
easy cleaning.
Food Storage Containers: Proper storage containers, such as
food-grade plastic containers or stainless-steel pans with lids,
are used to store prepared ingredients, leftovers, and prepped
items for future use while maintaining freshness and preventing
cross-contamination.
Safety Equipment: In addition to cooking equipment, safety
equipment like fire extinguishers, gloves, aprons, and non-slip
mats are crucial to maintain a safe work environment and prevent
accidents.
Deep Fryer - Cooks use a deep fryer for creating meats and
vegetables with crispy outer layer such as french fries, wings,
potato chips. Care must be exercised when using the fryer to avoid
burns and other accidents
These are some of the commonly used equipment and tools in a Senior
Living kitchen. The specific equipment may vary depending on the
size of the Kitchen, the type of cuisine served, and the culinary
preferences of the residents.
Education or Degree Required: HS Diploma. 3 years of cooking
experience in a similar environment. A.A.S. or Certificate in
Culinary Arts or Food Service Management preferred.
Licenses, Certifications, Registrations: SERV Safe required
Related Skills and Experience:
Previous experience as a cook or chef in a similar setting,
preferably in senior living or healthcare.
Knowledge of nutrition and special dietary requirements for
seniors.
Familiarity with food safety and sanitation regulations.
Ability to work well in a fast-paced environment and handle
multiple tasks simultaneously.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills to interact
effectively with senior residents and staff members.
Attention to detail in food preparation, portioning, and
presentation.
Flexibility to adapt to changing menus and dietary needs.
Physical stamina to stand for extended periods and lift heavy
objects.
Simpson Benefits (FT employees, Part-Time are eligible for some
benefits)
Simpson is proud to be an EOE employer M/F/D/V. We maintain a
drug-free workplace. We do not discriminate in services or
employment based on race, color, religion, ancestry, national
origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability,
past or present receipt of disability-related services or supports,
marital status, veteran status, or any other class of persons
protected by federal, state, or local law.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Simpson
We have an unwavering commitment to diversity with the aim that
every one of our people has a full sense of belonging within our
organization.
As a business imperative, every person at Simpson has the
responsibility to create and sustain an inclusive environment.
Inclusion and diversity are fundamental to our culture and core
values.
Our rich diversity makes us more innovative and more creative,
which helps us better serve our residents and our communities.
COVID-19 and Influenza considerations:
Simpson is a Mandatory Influenza Vaccination Employer if you are
offered employment proof of influenza vaccine is required
(October-March) unless you request and receive an approved medical
or religious exemption from Simpson. COVID-19 Vaccinations are
suggested but not required at this time.
#INDLP2
Keywords: Simpson, Philadelphia , Cook - FT, Hospitality & Tourism , Downingtown, Pennsylvania
|
Click
here to apply!
|
