Head Cook

aa Essential Duties & Responsibilities Prepare fresh Afghan and Persian meals and snacks according to approved menus and participant needs. Develop or support rotating menus that provide variety while reflecting participants cultural preferences and familiar foods. Prepare traditional dishes in quantities appropriate for a large group while maintaining consistent taste, quality, and portion size. Modify recipes as directed for low-sodium, diabetic-friendly, heart-healthy, vegetarian, allergy-restricted, soft, chopped, minced, or pureed diets. Follow each participants documented dietary restrictions, food allergies, and texture requirements; ensure the correct meal reaches the correct participant. Use appropriate cooking, cooling, holding, reheating, and serving procedures and maintain required food temperature logs. Prevent cross-contamination and follow hand hygiene, sanitation, and infection-control practices. Receive, label, date, store, rotate, and monitor food supplies using FIFO (first in, first out) practices. Maintain a clean, organized, and sanitary kitchen, including equipment, food-contact surfaces, storage areas, and floors. Monitor inventory, expiration dates, portioning, and food waste; assist with ordering while staying within the established food budget. Coordinate with caregivers, nursing staff, and management regarding participant dietary needs or concerns. Report concerns when a participant repeatedly refuses meals, has difficulty eating, or appears to have a change in appetite or swallowing ability. Prepare meals and snacks on schedule so service is timely and consistent with the adult day care programs daily routine. Follow all organizational policies and applicable food-service, health department, and adult day care requirements.