Cook

Why The Kensington Bethesda? Because Our Promise is to love and care for your family as we do our own…and this extends to our team members too!

Become part of a community that’s driven by its unique core values: a Love for Seniors, Respect for Each Other, Passion for Excellence, and a Spirit to Serve.

Partner with us to find your path, grow your purpose, and expect the unexpected: deeper connections, better opportunities, and a stronger sense of belonging.

Salary: $23.75 - $27.75

Schedule: Full-Time Availability

Summary:

The Cook prepares appealing, nutritious, and properly portioned meals for Residents, guests, and Team Members in accordance with production sheets, standardized recipes, modified diet requirements, portion control guidelines, time schedules, sanitary standards, and serving procedures.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Attend daily production meetings, tastings, and menu classes to understand upcoming meal - period needs and preparation expectations.
• Prepare hot and cold food items according to daily menus, production sheets, standardized recipes, portion guidelines, and modif ied diet requirements.
• Prepare texture-modif ied and mechanically altered diet items for Residents in Assisted Living, Connections and Haven Memory Care in accordance with physician orders, diet specif ications, and applicable food safety standards.
• Prepare, package, and transport food f rom production areas to dining areas using safe food handling practices.
• Guide servers on proper food handling, storage, portioning, plating, and serving procedures to support safe and consistent meal service.
• Label, date, and store bulk deliveries, ready-to-eat foods, and prepared foods in accordance with safe food handling and HACCP requirements.
• Assist with regular inventories of food and supplies.
• Maintain work areas and equipment in a clean, orderly condition throughout the shift and complete assigned closing, periodic cleaning, and utility-related tasks as directed.
• Attend required training and in-service programs to stay current on nutrition and dietary needs, safe food handling, culinary procedures, and equipment operation.

Knowledge, Skills & Qualifications:

• At least one year of experience in a similar culinary or food service role; experience in retirement

  living, senior living, or home care is preferred.

• High school diploma or equivalent is strongly preferred.

• Maintain required safe food handling certif ication or permits required by applicable law or Community policy. and follow all applicable food safety standards.

• Operate kitchen equipment, tools, and utensils safely and ef fectively.

• Follow menus, standardized recipes, diet instructions, seasoning requirements, and quantity preparation guidelines.

• Remain focused and organized in a busy kitchen environment with noise, interruptions, distractions, and competing priorities.

• Perform assigned tasks safely while maintaining awareness of potential kitchen hazards.

• Work ef fectively in a team-based environment while maintaining a positive and professional attitude.

• Communicate clearly and respectfully with Residents, guests, and Team Members.

• Ability to read and understand English suf f iciently to safely perform job duties, follow verbal and written instructions, and communicate ef fectively.

• Maintain a clean, well-groomed appearance and follow the dress code outlined in the employee handbook.

• Work a f lexible schedule, including weekends, evenings, rotating shif ts, and occasional overtime.

• Stand, walk, bend, twist, reach, lif t, and carry as needed for extended periods during the shift.