We are seeking a Lead Cook to join our team in Tysons, Virginia!
Position Summary:
Leads shift in one location preparing all types of food while always maintaining the highest quality and standards. Ensures safe handling of all food and ingredients. Ability to produce advanced soups, sauces, vinaigrettes. Supports the team by demonstrating the highest standards of culinary excellence, accountability, respect, integrity, and compassion. Performs other duties as assigned. This is a safety sensitive position.
Essential Functions:
• Assists the Sous Chef or Chef de Cuisine in leading a team of cooks and utility team members during their assigned shift.
• Prepares quality food at designated times according to regional campus recipes, working knowledge of both a la carte, banquet, batch cooking techniques, restaurant and rotational style menus, demonstrating kitchen sanitation practices according to HACCP procedures to ensure a fresh, quality product is served.
• Prepares standard portions and plate presentations with garnishment and monitors food temperatures to ensure food is presented in an elevated fashion.
• Regularly checks menu to ensure all food items are available and/or thawed in advance, notifying the Sous Chef or Chef de Cuisine of any shortages.
• Demonstrates proper use and cleaning of equipment and supplies and performs daily and weekly cleaning assignments. Helps maintain organization of coolers, freezers, storage areas, and storerooms and promptly reports equipment malfunctions or safety hazards to management.
• Minimizes waste and over production, handles leftovers according to procedures and assures that all items are labeled, dated, and properly stored.
• Follows instructions on daily production sheets and helps prepare production lists.
• Assists with receiving deliveries, puts away deliveries when necessary, and assists with the organization of dry storage, walk-ins and freezer using proper rotational practices to avoid spoilage.
• Assists Kitchen Attendant as needed / assigned with dish and ware washing, receiving, transportation of food and equipment, and cleaning duties.
• May be assigned to assist Pastry Chef with basic or fundamental tasks
Required Qualifications & Skills:
• Advanced knowledge and understanding of cooking techniques.
• Ability to communicate with supervisors, co-workers, residents, and guests and to follow standardized recipes.
• Able to operate kitchen equipment and tools found within the hospitality/health care industry and demonstrate proper use, maintenance and cleaning to others.
• Current sanitation certification
• Effective written communication skills, and the ability to read and interpret instructions.
• Reliable, predictable, and punctual attendance, to provide timely service to internal and external customers and to support uninterrupted business operations.
• Must be sensitive to the needs of older adults and enjoy working with a senior population.
• Ability to lead productively in a team environment.
• LobsterInk Level 4 completion and certification or equivalent experience.
Preferred Qualifications & Skills:
• Formal culinary training
• 3+ years of previous cooking experience
• Advanced knowledge and understanding of therapeutic diets, recipe ingredients, adherence to heart healthy guidelines and other dietary restrictions
• Shifts vary, flexibility in scheduling is preferred
• English language proficiency
Mather is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Benefits
Mather offers a competitive benefits package.*
Team members are eligible for:
- A generous paid time off (PTO) program including vacation days/personal days, sick days, and holidays. This is an “earn-as-you-go” plan that rolls over year to year, offering long- and short-term flexibility.
- A 401(k) program with per pay-period employer match and annual employer contribution (available to those age 21 or better)
- Convenient, subsidized parking (or public transportation for certain locations)
- Our SELF program, which allows for team members to be reimbursed up to $75 per year for items and experiences that support their self-care, from yoga classes to art supplies to concert tickets
Benefits-eligible team members can take advantage of:
- Medical, dental, and vision plans
- Tuition reimbursement for continuing education
- Extended illness benefits
- Employee wellness programs
- Short- and long-term disability insurance
- Life insurance - free to all team members
*Benefits are subject to change without notice. Benefits details dependent on employment status.
About The Mather:
The Mather is a Life Plan Community in Tysons, Virginia, for those 62 and better that defies expectations of what senior living is supposed to be. More than a luxury residence, The Mather is in an enviable walkable, urban neighborhood, close to the Metro and all the DC area has to offer. Opened in March 2024, The Mather includes 293 independent living apartment homes, as well as assisted living, memory support, and skilled nursing, along with multiple restaurants, a fitness center, art studio, gardens and more.
The Mather is located at 7929 Westpark Drive, Tysons.
About Mather
Based in Evanston, Illinois, Mather is a unique, non-denominational, not-for-profit organization founded in 1941. Dedicated to developing and implementing Ways to Age WellSM, we create programs, places, and residences for today’s young-at-heart older adults. Mather has received a national certification as a Great Place to Work®, and has been selected as a Nation’s Best and Brightest in Wellness Award recipient four years in a row.
Mather is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer committed to a diverse workforce. Candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.
