Cook

For more than 50 years, Active Generations has been a trusted leader in supporting adults through wellness programs, essential services, and meaningful community connections. With a growing team across multiple locations, we continue to evolve and expand our impact while staying grounded in our mission.

Our work centers on creating environments where people can thrivephysically, socially, and emotionally. Through wellness and nutrition programs, caregiving services, and opportunities for connection, our team works together to promote active lifestyles and overall well-being. We’re guided by teamwork, compassion, and adaptability, and we’re looking for individuals who want their work to have genuine purpose and lasting impact.

SUMMARY:

As a Cook, you’ll support the preparation, cooking, and service of high-quality meals for Active Generations programs, members, guests, and events. This position works across kitchen operations, including ingredient preparation, cooking, portioning, plating, food storage, and cleanup. You’ll work collaboratively with the culinary team to ensure meals are prepared safely, efficiently, and consistently while adapting to daily production and service needs.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Prepare ingredients by washing, peeling, chopping, slicing, dicing, measuring, and portioning.

• Prepare and cook menu items according to established recipes, production needs, and quality standards.

• Prepare sauces, marinades, dressings, sides, and other meal components as needed.

• Set up and maintain assigned preparation, cooking, and service stations.

• Cook, finish, portion, plate, package, and prepare food for meal service and distribution.

• Follow recipes, portion guidelines, and production quantities to ensure consistency and minimize food waste.

• Monitor food quality, appearance, temperature, and portion sizes throughout preparation and service.

• Assist with food preparation and production for daily meals, catering, special events, and other food service needs.

• Coordinate with kitchen team members to ensure meals are prepared accurately and within established service timelines.

• Maintain an organized workstation with necessary ingredients, tools, and supplies readily available.

• Stock and restock food, utensils, equipment, and kitchen supplies as needed.

• Properly label, date, store, rotate, and handle food products.

• Inspect ingredients and prepared foods for freshness and quality and communicate shortages or concerns to kitchen leadership.

• Follow established procedures for food allergies, special diets, and other dietary requirements when applicable.

• Follow food safety and sanitation guidelines to prevent cross-contamination and ensure safe food handling.

• Maintain appropriate food temperatures and follow established procedures for cooking, cooling, reheating, holding, and storing food.

• Clean and sanitize kitchen equipment, work surfaces, utensils, and food preparation areas.

• Assist with dishes, trash removal, sweeping, mopping, and general kitchen cleanup as needed.

• Safely operate commercial kitchen equipment and immediately report equipment, maintenance, or safety concerns.

• Assist with receiving, organizing, rotating, and storing food and kitchen supplies.

• Collaborate with the culinary team and assist in other areas of kitchen operations based on daily staffing, production, and service needs.

• Provide courteous and professional service when interacting with Active Generations members, participants, guests, volunteers, and team members.

• Perform additional duties as assigned by kitchen management.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

• High School Diploma or GED preferred.

• ServSafe Certification preferred or willingness to obtain.

• Minimum one year of kitchen, food preparation, cooking, restaurant, institutional food service, or similar experience preferred.

• Catering experience is a plus.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

Knowledge of basic food preparation, cooking methods, food safety practices, and commercial kitchen operations. Ability to follow recipes, production instructions, portion guidelines, and established procedures. Detail-oriented with strong communication, organization, and time-management skills. Collaborative and team-focused with the ability to work independently when needed. Willing to learn, take initiative, adapt to changing priorities, and assist throughout kitchen operations. Comfortable receiving feedback and adjusting work as needed. Ability to work efficiently while maintaining standards for food quality, safety, and cleanliness.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS & WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Stand and move continuously for up to 8 hours or more.

• Frequently walk, bend, kneel, reach, push, pull, and twist throughout the shift.

• Lift and carry items weighing up to 50 pounds.

• Use hands and fingers to safely handle knives, kitchen tools, cookware, and equipment.

• Perform repetitive tasks such as chopping, slicing, stirring, mixing, portioning, and plating.

• Safely move food products, supplies, cookware, and kitchen equipment.

• Assess food quality and presentation using sight, hearing, smell, and taste.

• Work around hot surfaces, ovens, grills, stovetops, sharp utensils, and wet or slippery surfaces.

• Work in environments with varying noise levels, temperatures, and humidity.

• Adapt to a dynamic kitchen environment and changing production and service needs.

This position is in person and takes place in a commercial kitchen setting. Regular exposure to heat and varying temperatures is expected; appropriate training and personal protective equipment (PPE) are provided. This is a fast-paced, team-oriented environment requiring attention to food safety, quality, and safe working conditions, with moderate noise and frequent interruptions. Work assignments and schedules may be adjusted based on meal production, catering, special events, staffing, and program needs.

LEADERSHIP & MANAGEMENT:

Reports to: Kitchen Coordinator or Sr. Dining Operations Manager.

Direct reports: None.

ACCOMMODATION:

Active Generations is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position. Applicants or employees who require accommodation during the application or employment process should contact Human Resources.