Risevoic
Cook
Company : Post Acute Partners
Location : Vestal, NY, 13850
Job Type : Full Time
Date Posted : 4 January 2026
Salary
$16.50/hr - $18.00/hrOverview
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.
New Paltz, NY
Top trending job titles hiring now
Popular Searches for Cook
Frequently asked questions
Vestal's culinary job market shows steady demand for cooks, especially in healthcare and eldercare facilities. Competition remains moderate, with employers like Post Acute Partners seeking candidates who combine cooking skills with compassion. Local candidates with prior food prep experience tend to have an advantage in securing roles here.
While not always mandatory, certifications like ServSafe are highly valued by Vestal-based employers serving vulnerable populations. These credentials demonstrate knowledge of sanitation standards crucial for kitchens in eldercare settings, aligning well with employer expectations at companies such as Post Acute Partners.
A proficient cook excels at preparing diverse menus, maintaining hygiene, and adjusting meals for special diets. Beyond technical skills, attention to taste, timing, and temperature control are critical, especially when catering to sensitive groups like elderwood residents requiring nutritious, appealing meals.
Joining Post Acute Partners as a cook can open pathways to supervisory roles or specialized dietary positions. The experience gained in eldercare kitchens enriches skills in managing special diets and large-scale meal planning, valuable for advancing within healthcare food service or broader culinary sectors.
Daily tasks include reviewing rotating menus, preparing assigned dishes, tasting for quality, and ensuring food safety protocols. The cook interacts regularly with residents and staff to deliver meals that meet nutritional and comfort standards, fostering a supportive dining atmosphere.
Cooks in Vestal earn between $16.50 to $18.00 per hour, slightly competitive compared to neighboring areas. This pay scale reflects the specialized nature of eldercare cooking roles at places like Post Acute Partners, balancing the demand for quality food preparation with fair compensation.
Post Acute Partners fosters a close-knit, compassionate environment prioritizing resident dignity and teamwork. Cooks here engage in meaningful roles that blend culinary expertise with empathy, creating meals that contribute to residents' well-being and comfort in a supportive setting.
While the position primarily follows scheduled meal times, Post Acute Partners may offer some shift flexibility to accommodate kitchen demands and staff needs. This approach helps balance consistent care delivery with employee work-life considerations in the Vestal location.
Yes, cooks regularly communicate with residents, coworkers, and supervisors to ensure meal needs and safety standards are met. This interaction fosters a respectful atmosphere, essential for maintaining the privacy and comfort of elderwood residents.
While solid cooking skills are fundamental, interpersonal abilities are equally critical in eldercare settings. Cooks must demonstrate respect, patience, and clear communication to meet residents’ dietary needs effectively and contribute to a nurturing dining experience.