A professionally managed retirement residence in Hamilton is seeking a qualified and experienced Cook to independently oversee daily meal preparation and ensure the kitchen operates efficiently, safely and consistently.
The successful candidate must be capable of preparing complete, nutritious meals from start to finish, following established menus, accommodating residents’ dietary requirements and maintaining a clean, organized and inspection-ready kitchen.
This position requires formal culinary training and previous professional experience as a Cook in a retirement residence, long-term-care home, institutional kitchen, restaurant or comparable setting. Experience limited primarily to a line-cook, prep-cook or single-station position will not meet the requirements of this role.
Responsibilities
- Independently prepare and cook complete meals according to approved menus, recipes and production schedules
- Ensure meals are prepared on time and served at the proper temperatures
- Follow residents’ dietary restrictions, food allergies, and individual requirements
- Maintain consistent food quality, presentation and portion control
- Organize daily food preparation to ensure efficient kitchen operations
- Coordinate effectively with dietary aides and other residence staff
- Maintain a clean, sanitary, organized and inspection-ready kitchen
- Complete required temperature logs, cleaning records and food-safety documentation
- Monitor inventory and promptly report food and supply requirements
- Receive, label, date, rotate and properly store food and kitchen supplies
- Minimize food waste through proper planning, storage and portion management
- Follow all public-health, food-safety, sanitation and workplace-safety requirements
- Communicate professionally and respectfully with residents, staff and management
Mandatory Qualifications
- Recognized culinary certificate, culinary diploma, apprenticeship or Cook trade certification
- Previous professional experience as a Cook with responsibility for preparing complete meals
- Demonstrated ability to operate a kitchen and complete meal service independently
- Strong knowledge of food safety, sanitation and proper food-storage practices
- Ability to follow established menus and recipes accurately and consistently
- Valid Food Handler Certificate
- Ability to communicate, read and write proficiently in English
- Ability to obtain a satisfactory Vulnerable Sector Check
- CPR and First Aid certification, or willingness to obtain it before commencing employment
- Reliable attendance, punctuality and professional conduct
Preferred Qualifications
- Retirement-home, long-term-care or institutional food-service experience
- Knowledge of seniors’ nutritional needs
- Experience preparing texture-modified or therapeutic diets
- Experience coordinating kitchen workflow with dietary aides
- ORCA training is an asset; required training will be provided
Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate is dependable, organized and comfortable taking ownership of the kitchen during their shift. They must be able to plan ahead, manage several meal components simultaneously and consistently deliver complete meals on schedule without constant supervision.
Applicants may be required to provide proof of culinary certification and participate in a practical cooking assessment.
Pay: $21.50-$24.95 per hour
Benefits:
Work Location: In person
