Chef

Heritage Senior Communities; Traverse City (MI); Hybrid; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Heritage Senior Communities is seeking a Chef to oversee a high-quality dining program for residents, balancing preferences with dietary needs and regulatory requirements. You will lead culinary staff, maintain safety standards, and ensure timely meal service with seasonal ingredients.

The role requires strong leadership, menu planning expertise, and a solid HACCP/ServSafe background, with attention to sanitation, budget, and resident satisfaction.

Qualifications

• Degree as Chef from a culinary institute or certified program, or Restaurant/Food and Beverage management, or significant experience in food service.
• Maintain Food Protection Manager and HACCP Certification (ServSafe) for safety and sanitation.
• Knowledge of geriatric dietary needs and menu planning; kitchen management; strong leadership for staff supervision.

Responsibilities

• Menu planning considering resident preferences and dietary restrictions; seasonality and farm-to-table ingredients.
• Ensure meals are prepared and served on time and at proper temperatures; maintain standardized recipes and production guides.
• Lead the Chef Forum and supervise culinary staff; educate on proper service, portioning, and utensils.
• Oversee resident satisfaction and adapt menus to preferences; collaborate with Resident Services Coordinator on nutrition status.
• Monitor budget for food, supplies, and labor; manage inventory and supplier relations to balance cost and quality.
• Hire, train, and supervise staff; schedule using shift system; manage overtime and evaluations.
• Maintain kitchen sanitation, equipment upkeep, and food safety compliance; monitor for contaminants and abide by health guidelines.
• Ensure regulatory compliance with health departments and SERVSAFE standards; uphold HIPAA-related considerations and NO GOSSIP policy.
• Participate in outreach or marketing-related cooking events and guest meals as needed.

Skills

Leadership

Menu planning

Food safety & HACCP

Dietary knowledge (geriatric)

Cooking skills

Math skills

Time management

Staff training & supervision

Education

Culinary degree or Chef certification / food service management program

Job description

Chef Responsibilities

Overall responsibility for the provision of a high-quality dining service that takes into account resident preferences and dietary considerations, in compliance with applicable food safety and licensing regulations. Maintains a clean kitchen and follows safe food handling and storage practices. Provides positive leadership for all culinary staff.

Degree as Chef from a culinary institute or certified program, or Restaurant/Food and Beverage management; or significant experience in food service and sanitation. Must maintain Food Protection Manager and HACCP Certification in food service safety and sanitation (such as ServSafe); knowledge and understanding of geriatric dietary needs and concerns; menu planning; kitchen management; Strong leadership and motivational skills for effective staff supervision, training and leadership; Excellent cooking skills, with experience in catering or culinary services management. Experience and training in professional cooking, applicable certification. Good math skills to accurately adapt ingredient measurements for recipes. Exemplary time management and organizational abilities to keep the food preparation process flowing and make sure meals are ready and served on time, at the right temperature. Must be aware of guidelines governing the safe storage and handling of food to avoid the possibility of contamination or spoilage. Must be able to pass the state mandated criminal background screening and random drug testing.

Chef Essential Functions:

• Menu Planning: paying attention to resident likes and dislikes, including special diet considerations; incorporating seasonal and fresh fruits and vegetables into daily meals; incorporate “farm to table” foods in menus; balanced menus incorporating the Tufts Senior Food Pyramid. Maintain inventory for at least 3 days’ meal service, as well as emergency supply – including bottled water – for meal service in the event of a power outage or other emergency; If the home has a Live Herb Wall the chef will incorporate use of fresh herbs in cooking and serving of meals.
• Meal service: assure meals are prepared and served on time, at the proper temperature. Establishing and maintaining standardized recipes, preparation guides, and production standards. Special events, including men’s lunches, cook-outs, family functions, etc. Educate staff on proper meal service and clearing (LL/RR) and use of proper portioning and serving utensils. Walks the dining room and interacts with residents and guests during meal service.
• Resident satisfaction: assure attention is paid to resident likes and dislikes, including offering alternate selections that meet resident preferences. Assure that all residents can enjoy quality meals every day. Meeting with residents at move-in and periodically thereafter to review preferences. Lead the Chef Forum at least monthly to solicit input and feedback from residents regarding the content and quality of the entire dining experience.
• Resident Well-Being - Provides input to the resident assessment process for the development of individual resident service plans as needed to assure nutritional needs are satisfied. Assures compliance with diet orders and nutritional status of residents (in cooperation with the Resident Services Coordinator). Maintains an awareness of changes in resident food consumption and communicates with the Resident Services Coordinator regarding any challenges to residents’ achieving and maintaining adequate nutrition.
• Financial compliance with budget for food, beverage, supplies, equipment and labor. Maintain inventory of necessary food and non-food supplies – taking advantage of sales and promotions and local food sources to ensure the best product at best price. Track Resident room trays, guest and staff meals for billing and credit back to culinary services account.
• HR - Staff hiring, training and supervision: ensure sufficient staff is hired, trained and performing the duties necessary to provide quality meals to meet resident nutritional needs. Supervise and assist staff in the production of all menu items, using high-quality, fresh, local ingredients whenever possible, and proper plating of food including use of garnish. Use ON SHIFT for staff scheduling and monitoring time in/out. Control overtime and labor hours. Provide timely education and disciplinary actions as needed. Prepare and review Employee Performance Evaluations timely for 90 days and annual reviews.
• Sanitation - Maintains proper cleanliness of kitchen, equipment, storage, and surfaces; Regularly inspects all areas of kitchen for cleanliness; Proper use and maintenance of equipment. Monitors community for food-borne illnesses; Assures staff is well trained and competent in maintaining a clean kitchen and food service; maintains adequate supply of single use meal service items for use during resident illnesses.
• Regulatory compliance with HFA rules, HPM policies and procedures, County Health Department Food Service Sanitation guidelines, and SERVSAFE standards for cleanliness, maintenance and documentation.
• OTHER: Maintains Live Herb wall if applicable; Participate in marketing the home through preparation of gift foods provided to referral sources during outreach marketing, guest meals, special events, cooking programs, etc.

Secondary Functions:

• Participate in Family and Community events as directed.
• Participate in the evening and weekend Manager on Duty (MOD) rotation.
• Collaborate with the Life Enrichment Coordinator for special events and theme days
• Direct involvement in at least 1 resident life enrichment events per month such as Chef Forum
• Maintain a clean, safe and well-organized desk and workspace.
• Proper utilization of email and internet,
• Complies with, and enforces, the NO GOSSIP policy,
• Compliance with HIPAA for resident and employee health information.
• Other duties as assigned or as may be necessary to assure that the goals and objectives of this assisted living center are fulfilled.
• Comply with Life Safety policies and participate in periodic drills.
• Participate in educational and training opportunities.
• Report safety and health hazards to your supervisor or the Maintenance Supervisor
• Report any observed concerns or changes in a resident to the Shift Supervisor

This is a salaried position.

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