Traveling Cook

Job Description

Job Description

Come see why Distinctive Living has been awarded a Great Place to Work for 4 years running! Join Distinctive Living as a Full-Time Traveling Cook and transform your culinary passion into an exciting career! Imagine exploring beautiful locations while delivering outstanding dining experiences to our senior residents across the country. This position offers a unique opportunity to showcase your creativity in the kitchen while providing delicious, nutritious meals tailored to our clients' needs.

With an hourly pay range of $25 - $30, you’ll enjoy the thrill of culinary innovation without sacrificing work-life balance. Engage with diverse cultures, share recipes, and create lasting memories as you bring joy to our community through food. You’ll be part of a fun and flexible team that values customer-centric excellence and promotes professional growth.

If you are a problem solver ready to embark on an exciting culinary adventure, apply today! As a team member you'll be able to enjoy benefits such as Medical, Dental, Vision, 401(k), Life Insurance, Competitive Salary, and Paid Time Off. Join us in making a difference - your next delicious chapter awaits!

Distinctive Living is a senior housing operator specializing in Independent Living, Assisted Living and Memory Care. We bring our core values into every aspect of our business. We strive for growth and authenticity and want our passion for excellence to shine through in everything we do. We are a 2025 Great Place to Work, and are proud of the culture we are creating as we move ahead.

As a Full-Time Traveling Cook at Distinctive Living, you'll play a vital role in enriching the lives of our residents by ensuring that every meal meets the highest standards of nutrition and taste. Your responsibilities will include following recipes meticulously according to dietician and menu guidelines, as well as managing food prep, cooking on the line, and cleaning up after service ends. You’ll be the superhero our communities rely on to fill unexpected vacancies due to turnover or illness, bringing your culinary expertise wherever you go.

This dynamic role not only allows you to showcase your cooking skills but also lets you make a meaningful impact on the well-being of our senior residents, all while being part of a supportive and high-performing team.

To thrive as a Full-Time Traveling Cook at Distinctive Living, candidates must possess a diverse set of skills and a commitment to excellence in all culinary operations. Strong organizational skills are essential for effectively supporting the Director, Restaurant and Hospitality in planning and executing a successful Food Service Department. A deep understanding of nutrition and dietary requirements will enable you to follow the Menu Program accurately and respond to resident preferences, ensuring high satisfaction levels. Proficiency in food safety standards is crucial; you'll need to maintain proper food temperatures, adhere to safe handling practices, and keep a pristine kitchen environment.

Teamwork and communication skills are vital, as you'll collaborate with other staff members, train new hires, and provide constructive feedback to ensure smooth operations. Your willingness to travel where community needs arise complements your problem-solving abilities, ensuring that you effectively meet the culinary demands across different locations.

Knowledge and skills required for the position are:

1. Supports the Director, Restaurant and Hospitality with planning, directing, controlling, communicating and coaching in the Food Service Department.

2. Follows the Menu Program that meets nutritional requirements as directed by the Director, Restaurant and Hospitality. If assisting with food purchasing then follows buying practices approved by the management company. Conforms to policy and procedures for all special diets offered.

3. Responds to resident likes and dislikes maintaining high resident satisfaction. Ensures that all foods are prepared to satisfaction of residents and in accordance with safe food handling practices.

4. Maintains food temperatures and time controls during storage, production, and serving according to required food safety standards. Correctly uses equipment that meets all health department standards. Stores and dates all food items appropriately and properly.

5. Ensures that staff provides service to maintain good resident experiences during mealtimes. Circulates in the dining room to ascertain resident preferences and satisfaction with meals.

6. Provides input and support to the Director, Restaurant and Hospitality on new hires and training staff in the dietary department. Provides input to the Director on evaluations as needed with all staff to ensure that all work done in the dietary department is done appropriately. Brings all performance issues to the Director, Restaurant and Hospitality.

7. Maintains a clean kitchen. This includes all equipment, walls, dry storage, cold storage, cooking and preparation surfaces and dish storage areas.

8. Ensures they and any employees reporting to them work in a safe manner and that potentially hazardous conditions are managed. Compliant with safety standards.

9. Fosters teamwork with co-workers, shows initiative in overcoming obstacles, takes actions to assist others beyond job responsibilities, and has a positive impact on co-workers, residents, and visitors.

This position requires the candidate to travel where community needs require it.

If you have these qualities and meet the basic job requirements, we'd love to have you on our team. Apply now using our online application!