Executive Chef

Overview

Executive Chef Senior Living Community | Rochester, NY

Full-Time | Senior Living Dining Services | Culinary Leadership

The Executive Chef provides strategic and hands-on leadership for all culinary and dining services within a senior living community in Rochester, NY
. This role is responsible for resident dining programs, menu development, food production, sanitation, staff training, purchasing, and financial performance. The Executive Chef ensures meals are nutritious, appealing, safe, and resident-focused
, while meeting clinical dietary needs, regulatory requirements, and organizational standards.

• Lead all senior living dining operations
  , including resident meals, employee dining, and special events.
• Develop and implement cycle menus and standardized recipes that reflect resident preferences, nutritional needs, and budgetary guidelines.
• Partner closely with the Clinical Dietitian to ensure compliance with therapeutic diets, physician orders, and resident care plans.
• Supervise, train, and develop all dining services staff, promoting a culture of hospitality, teamwork, and accountability.
• Conduct employee orientation, ongoing training, performance evaluations, and corrective action as needed.
• Ensure compliance with HACCP, Serv Safe, sanitation standards, and safety regulations specific to senior living environments.
• Oversee daily production planning, food quality, portion control, waste reduction, and sanitation practices.
• Manage food purchasing, ordering, inventory control, and cost containment to meet departmental financial objectives.
• Maintain accurate records including temperature logs, production records, inventories, and operational reports.
• Monitor resident satisfaction and collaborate with the Dining Director to address concerns, preferences, and service improvements.
• Lead and participate in weekly meetings with supervisory and dining staff to support communication and continuous improvement.
• Maintain clean, organized kitchen and work areas; coordinate major cleaning schedules and equipment maintenance.
• Participate in in-service education, departmental meetings, and community safety programs.
• Perform additional related duties as assigned by the Dining Director or Administration.

• Strong leadership presence with experience in senior living, healthcare, or institutional dining
  .
• Dependable, punctual, and able to work scheduled shifts consistently.
• Hospitality-driven mindset with a warm, resident-focused approach.
• Excellent communication, organization, and team-development skills.
• Reliable transportation.

• Technical, trade, or vocational degree in Culinary Arts required

• Minimum 5 years of food production experience
  , preferably in senior living, healthcare, or institutional dining
• Supervisory or management experience required

• Ability to read, write, and perform basic math calculations
• Strong knowledge of food preparation, sanitation, safety, and dietary compliance

• Serv Safe certification and/or County Sanitation certification

• Work is performed in a clean, well-lit senior living community kitchen
  .
• Must be able to perform essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation.
• May be required to assist during emergency situations to ensure the safety of residents, visitors, and team members.