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Dining and Culinary

Chef

In senior living, Chefs lead the kitchens responsible for feeding the senior living community. Chefs ensure the delivery of high-quality meals to residents and guests, often in a restaurant-like setting, and oversee the kitchen and dining room staff.

Essential Responsibilities May Include:
  • Lead menu development and the preparation, cooking, and serving of food.
  • Assure compliance of safety and sanitary regulations regarding the handling, storage, preparation, and serving of food.
  • Manage food and supplies inventory, ordering, and budgets.
  • Hire, train, and manage kitchen and dining room staff.
  • Communicate and understand residents’ concerns, wants, likes, and desires as it pertains to diet.
  • Maintain a clean working environment including all kitchen surfaces and equipment.
Sample Job Titles

Chef, Head Chef, Executive Chef

Requirements

Head chefs generally will require previous culinary training or experience. State-specific credentials or licenses, as well as professional certifications, may also be required.

Number Employed
2,807
Number of Chefs and Head Cooks in Assisted Living and Continuing Care Retirement Communities (2019)
Approximate Median Wage Per Hour
$22.38

Cook

In senior living, Cooks help to provide high-quality meals to residents and guests. Cooks help to deliver attractive and accessible meals to serve members of their senior community.

Essential Responsibilities May Include:
  • Operate a variety of food service equipment including steamers, convection ovens, slicers, blenders, and others.
  • Follow recipes to prepare and deliver meals and use knowledge of dietary restriction to make necessary modifications.
  • Ensure food is prepared and ready to serve at established mealtimes.
  • Work closely with residents and staff to understand unique food-related needs.
  • Adhere to sanitary regulations regarding the handling, storage, preparation, and serving of food.
  • Maintain a clean working environment, including all kitchen surfaces and equipment.
Sample Job Titles

Cook, Food Preparer, Sous Chef

Requirements

Senior living providers may train their cooks and food preparation workers with little prior experience. Cooks may be required to earn state-specific credentials or licenses, as well as professional certifications such as ServSafe.

Number Employed
53,753
Number of Food Preparation Workers and Cooks in Assisted Living and Continuing Care Retirement Communities (2019)
Approximate Median Wage Per Hour
$11.40 to $12.90

Food Server

In senior living, Food Servers are responsible for providing an exceptional experience to residents in the dining room. Food Servers ensure the pleasant delivery of food and provide exemplary customer service.

Essential Responsibilities May Include:
  • Perform all dining steps of service in a friendly and professional manner.
  • Greet and escort residents in all dining venues and assist as needed.
  • Maintain cleanliness in dining venues and ensure proper table setting at all times.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of daily menu and be able to assist residents with their requests by answering their questions and making recommendations as appropriate.
  • Monitor residents’ well-being and report any changes in condition to the appropriate associate immediately.
  • Serve as a liaison between guests, residents, and kitchen staff and be responsible for effective communication across areas.
Sample Job Titles

Food Server, Dining Worker, Waiter

Requirements

Senior living generally train their food servers with little prior experience. Food servers may be required to earn state-specific credentials or licenses, as well as professional certifications such as ServSafe or a food handlers card.

Number Employed
84,955
Number of Food Servers and Waiters in Assisted Living and Continuing Care Retirement Communities (2019)
Approximate Median Wage Per Hour
$10.22 to $11.20

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