Culinary Director

Gemstoneslc; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Shadowlake is seeking a Culinary Director in Houston, TX to lead dining programs for residents in memory care and assisted living settings. The role focuses on dignity, independence, and individualized meals, while guiding a cohesive kitchen team.

You will manage menus and portions, ensure safety compliance, and balance budgets with vendors. A strong commitment to service, communication, and professional presentation is essential for success in this position.

Qualifications

• A genuine desire to work with seniors while upholding privacy, dignity, choice and independence.
• At least two years of dietary or culinary management experience, preferably in senior living, healthcare or hospitality.
• ServSafe certification (or ability to obtain within 90 days of hire).
• Strong leadership, supervision and team-building skills, with the ability to train and coach staff.
• Working knowledge of therapeutic diets, food safety regulations and state health department requirements for senior living dietary services.
• Strong budgeting, cost-control and vendor-management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities with minimal supervision.
• A professional, service-oriented attitude and strong verbal and written communication with residents, families, guests and colleagues.
• High school diploma or GED, and 18 years of age or older.
• Background check and reliable transportation.
• Well-groomed, and willing to follow dress and food-service hygiene requirements.
• Culinary or dietary management coursework.

Responsibilities

• Protect dignity at every table and ensure respectful dining experiences.
• Help residents with choice and independence in meals, honoring dietary needs and preferences.
• Lead and coach kitchen staff to prioritize residents and uphold privacy and dignity.
• Oversee menu planning, portions, and dining routines for residents, including memory care considerations.
• Maintain compliance with food safety regulations and state health requirements for senior living dietary services.
• Monitor budgets, costs and vendor relationships to sustain quality and efficiency.
• Address dining concerns from residents or families promptly and professionally.

Skills

Leadership

Team-building

Coaching

Communication

Budgeting

Vendor management

Food safety knowledge

Time management

Customer service

Multitasking

Professional appearance

Education

High school diploma or GED

ServSafe Food Protection Manager certification

Culinary or dietary management coursework

Job description

# Culinary DirectorHot JobShadowlake - Houston, TX 77077## Description\"Residents First\" is how we decide what happens in our kitchens and dining rooms, not a slogan on a wall. As our Culinary Director, you will:* **Protect dignity at every table.** Mealtime should feel unhurried, respectful and social, whether a resident is in assisted living or memory care.* **Honor choice and independence.** Menus, portions and dining routines are shaped around what residents want and can do for themselves.* **Know each resident as an individual.** Food preferences, dietary needs, and a resident's own history and habits guide how we serve them.* **Make memory care dining supportive.** Residents with cognitive impairment get a calm, dignified experience built around their abilities.* **Listen and follow through.** When a resident or family member shares a concern about dining, you respond promptly and professionally until it is resolved.* **Lead your team the same way.** You will coach Cooks and other Team Members to put residents first in every interaction, and hold the standard for privacy, dignity, choice, independence and individuality.## Qualifications## **Required*** A genuine desire to work with seniors in an environment that upholds their privacy, dignity, choice, independence and individuality.* At least two years of dietary or culinary management experience, preferably in senior living, healthcare or hospitality.* ServSafe Food Protection Manager certification (or equivalent), or ability to obtain it within 90 days of hire.* Strong leadership, supervision and team-building skills, with the ability to train, coach and hold staff accountable.* Working knowledge of therapeutic diets, food safety regulations and state health department requirements for senior living dietary services.* Strong budgeting, cost-control and vendor-management skills.* Ability to manage multiple priorities with minimal supervision.* A professional, service-oriented attitude and strong verbal and written communication with residents, families, guests and colleagues.* High school diploma or GED, and 18 years of age or older.* Background check and reliable transportation.* Well-groomed, and willing to follow dress and food-service hygiene requirements.## **Preferred*** Culinary or dietary management coursework.