How to become a cook at a senior living community

Are you craving something new? With food prep and serving jobs expected to grow 11% from 2021 to 2031, there couldn’t be a better time to be on the look out for a dining and food service role. If you have a taste for cooking and you're looking for a rewarding and fulfilling career, consider becoming a cook at a senior living community. Working in retirement communities comes with many benefits that go beyond just a paycheck. 

If you’re wondering if senior living is right for you, take a look at what makes senior living so fulfilling. 

How to become a chef

If you have a passion for food, then why not build your experience by enrolling in a culinary school or pursuing relevant degree/certification programs, hone your culinary techniques and time management skills?

If you want to standout in your application for senior living communities roles, you might consider specializing in senior nutrition through courses or workshops. It’s been shown that dietary needs change with aging, and understanding the dietary needs of older adults will help you to create well-balanced meals. So get some certifications under your belt, such as food handling or safety, to make sure your food safety and sanitation are to the highest of standards.

And if you’re looking to gain practical experience but you’re new to the food services profession, don’t worry. Within the senior living industry, there is a wide range of career paths in food service that newcomers can explore, allowing you to enter at various levels and progress over time. 

Here are a few key roles to consider to help you get your foot in the door at a food service job:

Dishwasher

Working as a dishwasher provides an essential foundation in kitchen operations. This position allows you to observe and learn from experienced culinary professionals, understand the flow of the kitchen, and develop strong organizational skills. Take the initiative to learn about different culinary techniques and express your interest in advancing to a cooking role.

Server

As a server, you have direct interaction with residents, providing a personalized dining experience, and focus on delivering exceptional customer service. In a server role, you can familiarize yourself with the dietary preferences and restrictions of seniors, and demonstrate your ability to accommodate their needs. This role can provide valuable insights into the preferences of residents and their dining experience, which can be beneficial if you aspire to move into a culinary role. 

Cook or Kitchen Assistant

If you're passionate about cooking and want to start your journey in the senior living industry, consider starting as a cook or a kitchen assistant. Look for entry-level cook jobs in senior living communities or assisted living facilities. 

Gain experience in meal preparation, adhering to dietary requirements, and maintaining a clean and organized kitchen. Showcase your dedication, attention to detail, and willingness to learn, which can open doors for growth opportunities.

Sous Chef

To progress into a sous chef role, start by gaining experience as a kitchen assistant. Focus on refining your culinary skills, expanding your knowledge of senior nutrition, and demonstrating your ability to work efficiently in a team. Take the initiative to learn from the executive chef and other experienced professionals. Actively contribute ideas, show your creativity, and exhibit leadership potential. This can help you gain the necessary experience and expertise to step into a sous chef position.

Executive Chef

Becoming an executive chef requires a combination of culinary expertise, leadership skills, and experience in managing a kitchen. Continuously improve your culinary knowledge and skills, gain experience in menu planning and development, and show your ability to adapt to dietary needs and restrictions. Seek opportunities for additional training and certifications in culinary management or senior nutrition. Consider taking on supervisory or leadership roles within the kitchen to demonstrate your managerial capabilities.

Kickstart your culinary career in senior living

Are you hungry for a career in food? Find a community with exceptional standards, where your knowledge, skills and can-do attitude will be appreciated. If you value excellence, integrity, compassion, and teamwork like we do at SRG Senior Living, then working at one of our retirement communities could be the perfect fit.

As the senior living provider of choice, with 35 years of experience delivering excellent service, we have a wealth of experience for you to learn and grow from. With dedication and perseverance, you can forge a successful and rewarding career, progressing from an entry-level position to an influential role in the kitchen that positively impacts the lives of older adults. Discover opportunities in dining and food services at SRG today.