Culinary Director

Artegan; Maple Valley (WA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance

Life Insurance & Accidental Death

Short-Term Disability

Critical Illness & hospital insurance

Vacation and Paid Sick Time

Job summary

Artegan's Fountain Court in Washington state is seeking a Culinary Director to lead and innovate in a senior living dining program. You will oversee menu planning, food preparation, and regulatory compliance, ensuring meals that nourish both body and spirit for residents, staff, and guests.

You will build and guide a high-performing team, manage the departmental budget, and maintain strong vendor relations while upholding safety standards and therapeutic dietary requirements.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of culinary leadership experience, preferably in senior living, healthcare, or high-volume institutional settings.
• Strong cooking skills across a variety of cuisines with ability to adapt recipes to therapeutic diets.
• Proven team leadership and staff development experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead all culinary operations: plan, prepare, and oversee service of nutritious meals for residents, staff, and guests; include special events.
• Develop menus reflecting resident preferences, therapeutic diets, and state guidelines; conduct monthly food-preference meetings.
• Hire, train, schedule, and supervise culinary and dining room staff; set expectations and conduct appraisals.
• Own food safety and compliance: maintain a clean, safe kitchen meeting state and federal regulations; conduct sanitation checks.
• Manage the budget: control food and labor costs, manage purchasing, vendor relationships, and inventory.

Skills

Culinary leadership

Menu planning

Team leadership

Regulatory compliance

Food cost control

Education

SERV Safe certification

Job description

Lead a kitchen that nourishes both body and spirit — great food is one of life’s greatest joys, and you’ll make it happen every day.

At Fountain Court, dining is at the heart of daily life. As Culinary Director, you’ll oversee all aspects of food service — from menu planning and food preparation to team leadership, budget management, and regulatory compliance. You’ll bring culinary skill, genuine hospitality, and operational excellence to a kitchen that serves residents who deserve nothing less than exceptional.

What You’ll Do

• Lead all culinary operations. Plan, prepare, and oversee the service of nutritious, appealing meals for residents, staff, and guests — including special events and holiday dining.
• Develop menus residents love. Create seasonal menus that reflect resident preferences, therapeutic diet requirements, and state nutritional guidelines. Conduct monthly resident food preference meetings to keep the menu evolving and ensure satisfaction.
• Build and lead a great team. Hire, train, schedule, and supervise all culinary and dining room staff. Set clear expectations, conduct performance appraisals, and foster a positive, professional kitchen culture.
• Own food safety and compliance. Maintain a clean, safe kitchen that meets all state and federal food service regulations. Conduct routine sanitation checks and ensure the team follows all health codes.
• Manage the budget. Control food and labor costs within the departmental budget. Manage purchasing, vendor relationships, and inventory to maximize quality while minimizing waste.

What We’re Looking For

• 2+ years of culinary leadership experience, preferably in a senior living, healthcare, or high-volume institutional setting
• Strong cooking skills across a variety of cuisines, with the ability to adapt recipes to therapeutic diets
• Proven team leadership and staff development experience
• SERV Safe certification (or ability to obtain); current Food Handler’s Permit required
• Solid understanding of food cost control, inventory management, and budget administration
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to manage multiple meal periods and priorities simultaneously
• Warm, respectful approach to working with older adults, families, and an interdisciplinary care team

Benefits:

• Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Minimum Life Insurance & Accidental Death Policy
  • Optional additional Life and Accidental Death coverage
• Short-Term Disability
• Critical Illness, hospital, and accident insurance
• Vacation and Paid Sick Time

Wage negotiable based on proven experience.

Artegan operates retirement, independent living, assisted living, and memory care communities built on a philosophy of human dignity and purpose. Our Culinary Directors are essential partners in that mission — because sharing a great meal is one of life’s most universal joys, and we work hard to make every one count.