Cook - The Laurels of Coldwater

About the role

The Cook is responsible for preparing high-quality, nutritious meals for residents in accordance with prescribed menus, dietary restrictions, and sanitation standards. This role ensures a positive dining experience for residents by following safe food-handling practices, maintaining a clean work environment, and collaborating closely with dietary staff to support resident health, satisfaction, and regulatory compliance.

Responsibilities

• Prepares delicious, nourishing, and well-balanced meals to meet the daily nutritional and special dietary needs of each resident.
• In the absence of the Chef and/or Certified Dietary Manager, supervises the culinary center’s employees.
• Handles and stores all food according to facility procedures, safe food handling guidelines, state and federal requirements.
• Follows standardized recipes and prepares foods that correspond to the menu cycles developed by Registered Dietitians.
• Cooks or prepares palatable, attractive, and nutritionally adequate meals in quantities served at the proper temperatures and within appropriate time frames.
• Uses food supplies and equipment in an efficient and economic manner to prevent waste.
• Prepares and maintains a supply of food alternates to accommodate resident choices and refusals of food served.
• Supervises culinary staff regarding food storage, food preparation, tray assembly, and cleaning.
• Operates institutional food preparation equipment according to manufacturer and supervisory direction.
• Follows proper cleaning and preventative maintenance schedules.
• Inspects trays following meal service to monitor resident acceptance of menu items and reports findings to Certified Dietary Manager.
• Handles, stores, and disposes of raw and prepared food items in accordance with company and facility procedures and in compliance with state and federal regulations.

Requirements

• High School diploma or equivalent preferred.
• One year of experience as a cook in an institutional food service setting preferred or acceptable exemption required.
• Knowledge of safe food handling, sanitation, and infection control practices.

Benefits

• Competitive pay plus State of Michigan Direct Care Worker (DCW) Premium pay of $.85 per hour.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• 401K with matching funds.
• Life Insurance.
• Employee discounts.
• Tuition Reimbursement.
• Student Loan Reimbursement.