Let us welcome you home to The Hamlets at Westsyde in Kamloops, BC. 

Optima Living operates Independent Living, Assisted Living, Supportive Living, Long Term Care and Memory Care communities in Alberta and British Columbia. Our communities are among the best places to live in Western Canada. 
 
Our Vision: For every person to feel at home. 
 
This is truly supported by our credo. “Let us welcome you home.” At Optima Living, we feel genuinely honoured to work with our residents and we advocate a person-centered approach where the resident is the focus of all our endeavours. 

As the Cook, you are responsible for the well-being of our residents through the preparation and delivery of quality, home-cooked meals. 

Responsibilities

• Must be able to cook for 217 + residents for each meal service
• Must be able to understand and read diet sheets
• Must have knowledge of minced, puree, gluten free, diabetic, and vegetarian diets
• Must be able to operate a Robo Coupe
• Prepares food using various methods including roasting, frying, grilling, steaming, poaching, boiling, and baking, as directed.
• Assembles and organizes ingredients and equipment for food preparation.
• Cooks and seasons assigned menu and therapeutic diet items such as soups, sauces, salads, starches, meats, fish, poultry, and vegetables as directed.
• Controls portioning of food items ensuring recipe yield meets assigned quantity servings. • Prepares food for special events, large orders and catered functions.
• Samples food items for palatability and temperature and adjusts accordingly.
• Monitors and records cooler and freezer temperatures to ensure proper food safety.
• Ensures stored food rotation is maintained and properly controlled to minimize spoilage and waste.
• Ensures Food Safety and Sanitation Plans are displayed and followed in accordance with health authority regulations.
• Tests and records the concentration of the dish machine chemicals and temperatures to ensure safety and sanitation.
• Monitors inventory and incoming deliveries of products and supplies. • Reads and understands relevant dietary, clinical and recreational communications.
• Ensures a safe and sanitary environment for team members and residents through adherence to organizational standards and protocols.
• Promptly reports unsafe conditions, incidents, or concerns to Food Manager, or General Manager or Health & Safety Committee.
• Identifies maintenance issues and reports them following established maintenance procedures.
• Responds promptly during emergency codes in alignment with organizational standards and protocols.
• Contributes to quality improvement initiatives by sharing ideas and providing feedback.
• Demonstrates knowledge of and compliance with Occupational Health and Safety regulations.

Qualifications and Experience 

• Minimum of one (1) year experience with healthcare or large camp cooking.
• Strong background in food services in a residential care setting or hotel 
• Exceptional interpersonal skills with peers, residents, visitors, and operational partners 
• Superior organizational skills with the ability to handle fast paced environment 
• Comprehensive food services knowledge, including focus on quality, production, sanitation, and presentation 
• Superior oral and written communication skills
• Demonstrate the ability to prioritize and problem solve 
• Ability to stand for extended periods of time 

Conditions of Employment 

• Food Safe Certification 
• Clear Police Information Check 
• Clear Vulnerable Sector Check