Cook

Job Summary

Reporting to the Production Kitchen Supervisor, Nutrition Services, the Cook maintains a sanitary kitchen and prepares food according to standards set out by Public Health and the Ministry of Long-Term Care. 

Duties & Responsibilities

• Completes food purchasing for the production kitchen with emphasis on budget, food quality, safety and waste.
• Prepares and handles food according to standardized recipes, ensuring food quality, safety and quantity.
• Safely and efficiently chills cooked chilled product so that production is completed in a timely manner. 
• Maintains a clean and safe environment to ensure fellow employees, residents and outside clients stay healthy and injury free.
• Checks ingredient quality throughout the receiving and the production of food.
• Follows best practices for receiving goods, food storage and food safety.
• Documents all information required to assess food temperature chill time and food quality.
• Ensures that all products are labeled with appropriate expiry date.
• Prioritizes and co-ordinates duties with other team members to ensure that all product is produced and chilled as per chill schedule.
• Reports to the team and Supervisor any quality issues or perceived quality issues in a timely manner, ensure resolution and appropriate follow-up.
• Completes inventory. Keeps stock to a minimum and implements stock rotation.
• Organizes deliveries and follows through with product issues that arise with suppliers.
• Weighs up standardized recipe items.
• Participates with the team in development of new recipes and products.
• Demonstrates respect for clients and fellow employees in all matters.
• Promotes teamwork by providing input to the decision-making process governing day-to-day operations, thus preventing delays in providing quality service and products to Villages of Halton residents and off-site clients.
• Acts in the role of lead hand during Supervisor’s absence.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
   

Skills & Qualifications

Essential

• Chef training or culinary management diploma or certificate granted by a recognized college and a certificate of qualification as Cook or a post-secondary diploma in food and nutrition management or a post-secondary degree in Food and Nutrition
• Current Food Handler Certification.
• Minimum of two years’ experience in quantity food preparation.  
• Ability to operate quantity food production equipment, organize and maintain all food production records and procedures.
• Strong teamwork, organizational, and customer service skills.  
• An understanding of the Residents’ Bill of Rights and Compliance Standards as set out by the Ministry of Long Term Care.
• Have the ability to maintain all food production and purchasing records and demonstrated ability to use MS Office software applications.

Preferred

• Knowledge of cook chill food production and experience working with nutritional management software and CBORD Food Service Suite software

Working/ Employment Conditions

Working Conditions 

• The incumbent must be able to perform all the necessary physical tasks associated with the position including lifting approximately 50 lbs., pushing, pulling, and moving heavy materials, equipment and boxes.

Employment Conditions 

• The successful candidate will be made an offer of employment on condition that the Regional Municipality of Halton receives a current (obtained within the past six (6) months), original and acceptable Criminal Records Check, including Vulnerable Sector Screening by the first day of employment.
• You will also be required to provide a current two-step tuberculosis test (obtained within the past six (6) months) by the first day of employment.