Dietary Cook

At Aspire Senior Living
, our mission is to transform lives through Accountability, Service, Purpose, Integrity, Responsibility, and Excellence
. With an unwavering commitment to our residents and an employee-focused approach, we create a brighter future for our communities and empower our team to deliver exceptional care and support.

Aspire Senior Living Oak Grove seeking a dependable and experienced Dietary Cook to join our Dietary team.

The Dietary Cook is responsible for preparing nutritious, appetizing, and resident-centered meals while following menus, recipes, therapeutic diet requirements, food-safety standards, and sanitation guidelines.

In senior living, a great meal is about more than what's on the plate. Our Dietary Cooks help create an enjoyable dining experience while supporting each resident's individual nutritional needs, preferences, and quality of life.

Meal Preparation & Cooking

• Prepare and cook breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, and other menu items according to established recipes and production schedules.

• Follow standardized recipes, menus, portion guidelines, and resident dietary requirements.

• Prepare meals that are flavorful, appealing, and appropriately presented.

• Ensure meals are prepared and served according to established meal schedules.

• Coordinate with Dietary Aides and other team members to support efficient meal production and service.

• Monitor portions and production levels to help maintain consistency and reduce unnecessary food waste.

Therapeutic & Modified Diets

• Review resident dietary information and follow applicable diet orders and meal instructions.

• Prepare texture-modified and therapeutic diets, which may include pureed, mechanical/modified-texture, low-sodium, diabetic/consistent-carbohydrate, and other prescribed diets.

• Follow established procedures for allergies, dietary restrictions, substitutions, and special meal requirements.

• Ensure resident meals and trays are prepared accurately according to dietary instructions.

• Communicate questions or discrepancies regarding resident diets to the Dietary Manager, Nursing, or other appropriate team member.

Food Safety & Sanitation

• Follow proper food-handling, storage, sanitation, and infection-prevention procedures.

• Monitor and document food temperatures throughout preparation, holding, and service.

• Complete refrigerator/freezer temperature logs, sanitation records, and other required documentation.

• Properly label, date, store, and rotate food products according to established procedures.

• Follow FIFO (First In, First Out) practices.

• Maintain clean and sanitary food preparation areas, equipment, utensils, and storage areas.

• Follow applicable food-safety regulations and facility policies.

Resident Dining Experience

• Help create meals residents can look forward to each day.

• Interact with residents professionally, respectfully, and compassionately.

• Listen to resident preferences and feedback regarding meals and dining services.

• Communicate appropriate resident requests and concerns to Dietary leadership.

• Support resident choice whenever possible while following prescribed dietary requirements.

• Work collaboratively with Dietary and Nursing staff to help address resident dining concerns.

Menu & Production Support

• Assist the Dietary Manager, Chef, or other designated leadership with menu preparation and meal-production planning as needed.

• Provide ideas for menu variety, seasonal meals, special events, and resident favorites.

• Assist with special meals, holiday celebrations, and community events.

• Follow established production schedules and adjust quantities appropriately based on resident census and meal needs.

• Help monitor food and kitchen supplies and communicate shortages as needed.

Teamwork & Continuous Improvement

• Work collaboratively with Dietary Aides, Dietary leadership, Nursing, and other community team members.

• Participate in required training, in-services, and food-safety education.

• Maintain professional standards and a positive, team-oriented attitude.

• Support quality-improvement efforts related to dining services and resident satisfaction.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

• High school diploma or equivalent preferred or required based on applicable facility/state requirements.

• Previous experience as a Dietary Cook, Cook, Line Cook, or food-service professional preferred.

• Experience in long-term care, skilled nursing, senior living, healthcare, hospital, school, or institutional food…