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.
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.
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
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 sautéing, 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)
Compensation Based on Experience
Health Plan (BCBS)
Plans include access to MDLive virtual care.
Dental Plans
Vison
403(b) Retirement Plan w/matching
Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) Plan
Company Paid Life Insurance
Company Paid AD&D
Company Paid Long Term Disability
Tuition Reimbursement
Health Savings Account
Flexible Spending Account
Short Term Disability
Pet Insurance
Critical Illness
Accident Insurance
Hospital Indemnity
Company Paid Holidays
Employee Assistance Program
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.
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.
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