Cook (Care Facility)
ちょうりいん（かいごしせつ）
Industry & Occupation
Classification
- Major : Service Occupations
- Middle : Food Preparation Occupations
- Minor : Institutional Cooks (Excluding Schools)
Summary
A job that prepares large quantities of meals for the elderly in care facilities and provides safe, nutritionally balanced meals.
Description
Care facility cooks prepare and provide large quantities of meals for the elderly in facilities such as special nursing homes and geriatric health service facilities. Based on menus created by dietitians or registered dietitians, they handle tasks such as ordering ingredients, preliminary processing, heating and plating, serving, washing dishes after meals, and cleaning the kitchen. For residents with reduced chewing or swallowing function, they adjust meal textures such as minced food or pureed food to ensure safe eating. They must comply with hygiene management standards (HACCP) and the Food Sanitation Act to maintain kitchen hygiene. Collaboration with kitchen staff and care workers is essential, requiring the ability to adapt cooking processes to residents' physical conditions and preferences. Early morning shifts and shift work are common.
Future Outlook
With the progress of an aging society, an increase in care facilities is expected, and the demand for cooks will remain stable. Enhancing expertise in areas such as hygiene management and meal texture adjustment will broaden career opportunities.
Personality Traits
Attentive / Good team player / Polite and courteous / Strong sense of responsibility
Work Style
Early morning shifts / Shift work / Team work / Welfare facility work
Career Path
Cooking staff → Leader → Head cook → Dietary manager → Facility operations manager
Required Skills
Bulk cooking / Elderly meal adjustment / Hygiene management (HACCP) / Ingredient preparation / Time management
Recommended Skills
Allergy response knowledge / Basic nutrition knowledge / Menu creation / Team management
Aptitudes (Strengths Preferred)
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Attention to Detail & Accuracy | Because mistakes in hygiene management, ingredient cutting, or plating can be life-threatening. |
| Communication Skills | To collaborate with care staff and dietitians to understand changes in residents' conditions. |
| Physical Stamina & Endurance | Physical stamina is required due to standing work and handling heavy pots. |
| Planning & Organization | Because planning skills are required for managing large-scale cooking processes and ordering. |
| Stress Tolerance | Due to the pressure of completing meals for many people within time limits. |
| Collaboration & Teamwork | To perform tasks in cooperation with care staff, dietitians, and the cooking team. |
Related Qualifications
- Cook's license
- Food hygiene supervisor
Aliases
- Care facility cook
- Dietary cook
- Facility cook
Related Jobs
- Dietary dietitian
- Dietitian
- Licensed cook
- School lunch cook