Culinary Specialist

Company Overview:
Forefront Healthcare & Culinary Services is dedicated to providing exceptional culinary and support services tailored to enhance the patient and resident experience across the continuum of care.

Position Overview:
We are currently seeking Full-time Culinary Specialists to enrich the dining experience for our clients. You will be an integral part of a dedicated team.

What We Offer:

• Comprehensive Dental and Vision Benefits (for Full-time employees)
• 1 week Paid Time Off, 1 week Paid Sick Leave, and 6 Paid Holidays (benefits commence the first day of the month following your start date for Full-time employees)
• Employee Assistance Program
• Flexible Work Schedule

Compensation: $17.00-$18.00 per hour

Work Schedule: 32 hours per week, with scheduled shifts including Sunday 9am-5:30pm, Monday, Thursday, and Friday shifts from 9am-5:30pm & 8am-4:30pm.

Role Summary:
The Culinary Specialist is responsible for preparing nutritious and appealing meals for residents, adhering to established recipes and complying with federal, state, and local food safety standards. This role requires the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment, working both independently and collaboratively.

Key Responsibilities:

• Prepare meals according to planned menus.
• Serve food while adhering to portion control guidelines.
• Prepare food using standardized recipes and accommodate special requests.
• Ensure food is cooked at appropriate temperatures and maintain necessary checklists and logs.
• Assist with inventory management and receiving deliveries from suppliers.
• Collaborate with the Culinary Director to coordinate menus and special requests.
• Adjust schedules as needed to address emergency situations.
• Follow safe food handling practices and policies, including proper glove usage.
• Participate in daily or scheduled cleaning tasks in accordance with established protocols.
• Comply with therapeutic and mechanically altered diet specifications.

Additional Responsibilities:
Please note that this job description is not exhaustive and may be subject to change at any time.

Qualifications:

• High School Diploma or GED.
• At least 1 year of experience in food preparation and service.
• ServSafe certification is preferred but not mandatory.
• Familiarity with food safety regulations.
• Proven integrity and reliability.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Proficient in computer usage.
• Detail-oriented with a focus on accuracy.
• Able to multitask in a high-pressure environment while working as part of a team.

Work Environment:
This position requires repetitive wrist motions and the ability to lift up to seventy-five pounds.

Physical Demands:

• Continuous standing and walking throughout the workday.
• Reaching, stooping, bending, lifting, carrying, and manipulating various food products and dietary supplies.
• Visual acuity for inspecting cooked and stored foods.
• Ability to work with cleaning agents and chemicals.
• Exposure to varying temperatures and humidity levels.
• Must be able to lift and/or carry between fifty (50lbs) and seventy-five (75lbs).

Position Type:
This is an hourly position, with expected hours including days, evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Additional Eligibility Qualifications:

• Effective verbal and written communication skills to interact with staff, residents, families, and the public.
• Numerical skills for maintaining work records and preparing recipes.
• Manual dexterity for food preparation and operating dietary equipment.
• Willingness to perform routine tasks with frequent interruptions.
• Ability to read and follow recipe directions and dietary orders.
• Flexibility to work varied hours, especially during emergencies.
• Patience and tolerance when interacting with staff, residents, and families.

Equal Opportunity Statement:
Forefront Healthcare & Culinary Services is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.