Culinary Team Lead, Senior Living

Vitality Living; Smyrna (TN); On-site; USD 38,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Vitality Living in Smyrna, TN seeks an experienced Sous Chef to lead a culinary team in a vibrant senior living community. You will prepare nourishing and appealing meals per menus, supervise kitchen operations, and ensure safety and sanitation standards are consistently met.

The role requires a Culinary Arts degree or equivalent experience, plus at least 2 years in institutional or full-service restaurant cooking. Strong English communication and a passion for elder care are essential.

Qualifications

• Must be at least 21 years of age.
• Have Culinary Arts degree or equivalent experience.
• Have two years of experience in institutional or full-service restaurant cooking.
• Demonstrate ability to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing.
• Meet state or provincial health related requirements.
• Maintain food handlers permit as required by state or provincial regulations.
• Maintain any other certifications as required by state or provincial regulations.
• Desire to work with older adults and their families.

Responsibilities

• Adhere to all food-related safety/sanitation standards.
• Prepare meals that are nutritious, appetizing, and attractive in accordance to company menus and recipes, as well as to physician orders for diet, texture, and liquid thickness.
• Adhere to portion-control and plate presentation policies.
• Ensure food, supplies, and appropriate personnel are available for meals planned.
• Supervise preparation of serving carts.
• Adhere to proper procedures for covering, labeling, dating, and storing food in a timely manner.
• Complete leftover logs.
• Ensure all temperature logs are completed at required time.
• Adhere to company sanitation standards by effectively cleaning while working, including: the preparation and serving areas, pots and pans, kitchen surfaces, walls, and floors, using appropriate cleaning schedules.
• Resolve resident-related food complaints as needed.
• Supervise the Culinary team and overall kitchen operation in the absence of the Culinary Services Director.
• Contribute to a positive, effective working environment, promoting teamwork and accountability with the team.
• Ensure all Cooks and Culinary team members are dressed in appropriate, clean, and neat uniforms.
• Perform administrative duties including menu planning, ordering, receiving, invoice processing, inventory, end-of-the month reports, and staffing.
• Ensure all staple items are consistently ordered to ensure no lack of supply.
• Ensure adherence to procedures regarding community infection control policies.
• Use cleaners and other hazardous materials according to department procedure.
• Promptly report and/or address any unsafe conditions or equipment problems.
• Attend and participate in onboarding and annual training, in-services and team member meetings as requested.
• Understand and implement all emergency plans including fire, earthquake, and other disasters.
• Perform other duties as assigned by Culinary Services Director.

Skills

English communication

Education

Culinary Arts degree or equivalent experience

Job description

Vitality Living in Smyrna, TN seeks an experienced Sous Chef to lead a culinary team in a vibrant senior living community. You will prepare nourishing and appealing meals per menus, supervise kitchen operations, and ensure safety and sanitation standards are consistently met.

The role requires a Culinary Arts degree or equivalent experience, plus at least 2 years in institutional or full-service restaurant cooking. Strong English communication and a passion for elder care are essential.