Cook
Company : Post Acute Partners
Location : Lancaster, NY, 14086
Job Type : Part Time
Date Posted : 4 January 2026
Salary
$18.50 - $23.07 / HourlyOverview
Become a COOK at Elderwood!
Are you a passionate Cook looking to make a difference in the lives of others?
Join our dedicated and close-knit team at Elderwood where you can bring comfort and care through nutritious and delicious meals for our residents. We’re seeking a compassionate and reliable Cook to help create a welcoming environment for our valued residents.
Position Overview:
- Meal times are highlights of daily life, and excellent nutrition and appetite appeal are central to the well-being of residents and patients. Our chefs, wait staff and kitchen staff prepare and serve delicious, wholesome menus.
- Cook for our residents with weekly rotating menus. Work from our recipes.
Elderwood Benefits:
- Full Benefits Package - Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, HRA, FSA, PTO
- Employee referral program
Responsibilities
Cook Responsibilities:
- Review menus and production sheets to determine food quantities needed for regular, mechanically altered and other special diet needs.
- Prepare specified food items, as assigned.
- Prepare specified food items, as assigned.
- Test cooked foods by tasting and smelling samples.
- Ensure that sanitation and safety standards are met in the preparation, cooking and production line stages of food production.
- Maintain cleanliness and upkeep of specified equipment and the general kitchen work area.
- Supervise food being cooked; ensures that food is held and served at correct temperature.
- Assist with preparation of and distribution of foodstuffs.
From
Up to
Qualifications
Cook Qualifications:
- Minimum 18 yrs. age required. High school diploma or equivalent preferred.
- Previous food preparation experience required.
- Ability to understand and organize food preparation activities required.
- Ability to carry out cooking tasks at a safe and efficient level of performance required.
- Knowledge of food preparation and production process necessary.
- Pride in quality of food and service necessary.
- High degree of personal cleanliness and good hygiene; health status suitable for service of food required.
- Respect for residents’ privacy and rights; respectful and dignified treatment of residents required.
- This position requires regular interaction with residents, coworkers, visitors, and/or supervisors. In order to ensure a safe work environment for residents, coworkers, visitors, and/or supervisors of the Company, and to permit unfettered communication between the employee and those residents, coworkers, visitors, and supervisors, this position requires that the employee be able to read, write, speak, and understand the English language at an intermediate or more advanced level.
EOE Statement
WE ARE AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. Applicants and employees are considered for positions and are evaluated without regard to mental or physical disability, race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, genetic information, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, marital status or any other protected Federal, State/Province or Local status unrelated to the performance of the work involved.Top trending job titles hiring now
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Frequently asked questions
In Lancaster, NY, cooks typically earn between $18.50 and $23.07 hourly, which aligns well with regional standards. This pay scale reflects local cost of living and demand, offering competitive compensation compared to neighboring communities in Western New York.
Lancaster's food service sector shows steady growth, boosting opportunities for cooks. Given the elderly care industry's expansion, cooks skilled in dietary and special meal preparation find the local market favorable, with consistent openings and a welcoming work environment.
Mastery of food safety, nutrition-focused meal preparation, and adapting recipes for special diets is crucial. Cooks must also excel in multitasking and maintaining high hygiene standards to ensure residents enjoy safe, appetizing meals daily.
Starting as a cook opens doors to roles like kitchen supervisor, dietary manager, or specialized chef positions. In eldercare, advancing may involve nutrition coordination or culinary program development, especially for those committed to resident wellness.
While a high school diploma is preferred, hands-on food prep experience and the ability to follow detailed recipes are highly valued. Demonstrating reliability and understanding of sanitation protocols can compensate for formal culinary education.
Post Acute Partners offers a supportive team atmosphere focused on resident care, comprehensive benefits like medical and PTO, and an employee referral program. The role emphasizes meaningful impact by enhancing residents' daily nutrition and comfort.
Yes, cooks also ensure kitchen cleanliness, supervise food safety during service, and assist in distributing meals. Engaging respectfully with residents and maintaining a hygienic environment are integral to delivering quality care.
The $18.50 to $23.07 hourly wage corresponds to the cook’s role in managing special diets, food safety, and meal quality in an eldercare context. This pay recognizes the skill and attention required to support resident well-being.
Absolutely. Cooks must uphold a high degree of personal cleanliness and health suitability to safely prepare food for vulnerable populations, ensuring meals meet stringent safety and sanitation standards.
While several employers seek skilled cooks, the niche focus on eldercare nutrition means candidates with experience in special diets and compassionate service often have an edge in Lancaster’s competitive but rewarding market.