Searidge Foundation is a residential addiction treatment facility committed to providing clients with a safe, supportive, and structured environment throughout their recovery. The cook position is responsible for preparing and serving nutritious, balanced, and appealing meals for clients while maintaining high standards of food safety, cleanliness, and organization within the kitchen.
The cook position plays an important role in the overall client experience at Searidge Foundation. In addition to meal preparation, the position requires flexibility, reliability, organization, and the ability to work respectfully within a residential treatment environment. At Searidge you will be preparing lunch and dinner for a maximum of 15 clients. This intimate environment allows professionals to practice creativity, balance, and technique with a small self-directed menu.
Key Responsibilities:
Meal Preparation and Service
- Prepare and serve scheduled meals according to established menus and meal times.
- Ensure meals are nutritious, appropriately portioned, and presented appealingly.
- Modify meals when reasonably required to accommodate documented allergies, dietary restrictions, medical needs, or other approved dietary requirements.
- Prepare ingredients and complete necessary food preparation in advance to support efficient meal service.
- Ensure food is prepared, cooked, stored, and served in accordance with applicable food safety standards.
- Maintain consistency in food quality and portion sizes.
- Assist with planning meals and identifying opportunities to improve menu variety and client satisfaction.
Kitchen Operations
- Maintain a clean, sanitary, and organized kitchen, food preparation area, storage area, refrigerators, freezers, and related equipment.
- Complete regular cleaning duties, including dishes, counters, cooking surfaces, equipment, floors, and food storage areas.
- Properly label, date, rotate, and store food products.
- Monitor refrigerator and freezer temperatures and report concerns when necessary.
- Follow appropriate procedures for preventing cross-contamination and managing food allergens.
- Ensure kitchen equipment is used safely and report damaged or malfunctioning equipment.
- Follow established procedures for waste disposal, recycling, and food waste reduction.
Inventory and Supplies
- Monitor food inventory and identify items requiring replenishment.
- Prepare grocery and supply lists based on menu requirements and current inventory.
- Receive and appropriately store food and kitchen supplies.
- Assist in controlling food costs by minimizing unnecessary waste and using supplies efficiently.
- Communicate shortages, supply concerns, or anticipated purchasing needs to management.
- Participate in maintaining appropriate stock levels for regular operations and unexpected circumstances.
Residential Treatment Environment
- Interact with clients in a respectful, professional, and supportive manner.
- Maintain appropriate professional boundaries with clients at all times.
- Respect client privacy and confidentiality and refrain from discussing client information unless required as part of the employee's responsibilities.
- Communicate dietary concerns, client requests, or relevant operational issues to the appropriate staff member.
- Work collaboratively with counsellors, support workers, medical staff, management, and other members of the Searidge Foundation team.
- Contribute to maintaining a calm, respectful, and recovery-supportive environment.
Qualifications:
- Experience preparing meals in a commercial, institutional, residential, or similar kitchen environment is preferred.
- Knowledge of safe food handling, sanitation, and kitchen safety practices.
- Ability to independently prepare meals for groups.
- Strong organizational and time-management skills.
- Ability to follow menus, recipes, dietary instructions, and established procedures.
- Ability to work independently while also functioning effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team.
- Dependable attendance and ability to consistently meet scheduled meal-service requirements.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to interact professionally and respectfully with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
Assets:
- Food Handler Certification or equivalent food safety training.
- Previous experience in healthcare, residential care, mental health, addictions treatment, long-term care, hospitality, or institutional food services.
- Experience preparing meals for individuals with allergies or specialized dietary requirements.
- First Aid and CPR certification.
Physical Requirements
The position may require:
- Standing and walking for extended periods.
- Frequent bending, reaching, and repetitive movements associated with food preparation.
- Safely lifting and carrying food products, cookware, supplies, and kitchen equipment.
- Working around hot surfaces, ovens, sharp utensils, refrigeration equipment, and other standard commercial kitchen equipment.
Successful candidates may be required to provide or maintain:
- A satisfactory criminal record check and, where applicable, a vulnerable sector check.
- Current food safety certification or willingness to obtain required training.
- Any additional certifications or training required by Searidge Foundation for employees working within a residential treatment environment.
Job Types: Full-time, Part-time, Permanent
Pay: $18.00-$22.00 per hour
Licence/Certification:
- Food Handler Certification (preferred)
