Line Cook $15/hour | Full-Time Tarina of Kingwood - Saga Senior Living Make a difference in someone's life every day. Tarina of Kingwood, a Saga Senior Living Community, offers a continuum of personalized support that evolves with you, ensuring every resident receives exactly what they need to thrive. Why Join Our Team? Competitive Pay: $15/hour credit for experience Schedule: This is a full-time role | Various schedules available | Holidays and weekend rotations required Supportive Team: We value our caregivers as much as our clients Quick Hiring: Apply today and hear back within 48 hours What You'll Do: Prepare nutritious, appealing meals and snacks while accommodating special dietary needs Maintain a clean, safe, and sanitary kitchen and dining environment in compliance with state and federal regulations Assist with menu planning, food ordering, delivery, inventory, and proper food storage for infection control Support efficient kitchen operations by identifying improvement opportunities, reporting equipment issues, and multitasking in a fast‑paced environment Build positive relationships with residents, families, and coworkers while providing high‑quality service What You'll Need: At minimum 1 year of cooking experience, required Cooking in an assisted living facility, preferred At minimum 18 years of age or older, required High school or vocational school coursework in kitchen basics, preferred Must be able to stand for long periods of time and lift up to 15 pounds at a time Benefits Available to Qualified Employees: Health, dental and vision insurance Voluntary Life and AD&D insurance Short and Long-term Disability insurance Accident, Cancer, Critical Illness, and Hospital Indemnity insurance Ready to Apply? Join a community where your leadership helps create meaningful moments every day. Apply today to become a Line Cook with Tarina of Kingwood a SAGA Senior Living community. ATTENTION CALIFORNIA RESIDENTS: Please review California's Job Applicant Privacy Policy before submitting your application. To apply, please complete the required questionnaire. We accept applications on a rolling basis. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and are committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, ancestry, disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, veteran or military status, citizenship status, pregnancy (including childbirth, lactation, and related conditions), political affiliation, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. We are committed to providing an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. If you require accommodations during the interview process, please let us know. Reasonable accommodations will be provided upon request to ensure equal opportunity for all applicants. Applicants for this position must be able to produce a negative drug test. Applicants may be subject to a background check. Employees in this position must be able to satisfactorily perform the essential functions of the position. If requested, this organization will make every effort to provide reasonable accommodations to enable employees with disabilities to perform the position’s essential job duties. As markets change and the Organization grows, job descriptions may change over time as requirements and employee skill levels evolve. With this understanding, this organization retains the right to change or assign other duties to this position. Powered by JazzHR
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General overview for this role type — specific duties and requirements vary by employer.
Dietary roles in senior living go well beyond standard food service. You will prepare meals that accommodate medical diets — diabetic, renal, low-sodium, pureed, and thickened liquids are common daily requirements. Texas Health and Human Services conducts regular kitchen inspections, and dietary staff play a direct role in survey outcomes. A food handler's permit is required in Harris County, and ServSafe certification is preferred by most facilities.
What many applicants do not realize is how personal the work becomes. Residents eat three meals a day in the same community — food quality and variety directly impact their quality of life and satisfaction scores. Dietary managers in particular straddle clinical nutrition requirements and the operational realities of tight food budgets and staffing. Shift times typically start early — breakfast prep often begins at 5:00 or 5:30 AM — and weekend coverage is standard for the team.
What to Expect in This Role Day-to-Day
Based on typical senior living facilities in the Houston area.
The day starts early with breakfast preparation and tray setup. Each meal requires checking the diet card system to ensure every resident receives the correct modified diet — a diabetic resident getting a regular dessert is a compliance issue, not just a mistake. Between meals, the kitchen team preps for the next service, manages inventory and deliveries, and maintains sanitation standards for state inspection readiness.
You will work closely with nursing staff when residents have appetite changes or swallowing difficulties, and with the activities department for special event meals and holiday celebrations. The dietary department typically operates with a small team — cooks, aides, and a dietary manager — so everyone handles multiple tasks from cooking to serving to cleanup. Many dietary professionals in senior living appreciate the consistent schedule compared to restaurant work, along with benefits like health insurance and retirement plans that food service rarely offers.
Houston Area Salary Data
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Recreation Worker positions in the Houston metro area earn a median wage of
$15.00/hr ($31,200/yr).
The typical range is $13.47 – $17.27/hr
(25th–75th percentile).
Entry Level (10th)$22,922/yr
Houston Median$31,200/yr
Experienced (90th)$46,717/yr
vs. National Median-14.7%
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX Metro Area).
Salary data provided by Houston Senior Living Guide.