Director of Culinary Experience

Solera Senior Living; Evanston (IL); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Immediate pay access

Tuition reimbursement

Comprehensive medical benefits

Dental, vision, life, and disability

401(k) retirement plan

Paid holidays and PTO

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Perks and employee discount programs

Job summary

Solera Senior Living in Evanston seeks a Director of Culinary Experience to lead all culinary operations across five venues, shaping menus, ensuring nutrition, safety, and exceptional guest dining. You’ll own menu development, food preparation, sanitation, budgeting, inventory, and staff development in partnership with the Executive Director and Dining Manager.

The role requires culinary leadership, ServSafe certification, and proven success managing large teams in high-quality hospitality.

Qualifications

• Culinary degree or equivalent formal training required.
• ServSafe certification or ability to obtain certification.
• Proven leadership of a large kitchen team (Executive Chef/ Chef de Cuisine/ Exec Sous).
• Experience partnering with front-of-house teams and developing menus.

Responsibilities

• Lead culinary operations across five venues, ensuring high-quality, nutritious meals.
• Own menu development, budgeting, sanitation, and inventory control.
• Supervise and develop culinary and FOH staff; ensure service excellence.

Skills

Culinary leadership

Menu development

Budgeting & cost control

Team management

Staff training

Food safety leadership

Regulatory compliance

Communication skills

Decision making under pressure

Guest service orientation

Education

Culinary degree or equivalent

Job description

Director of Culinary Experience - Trulee Evanston

Trulee Evanston is a 9-story Independent Living, Assisted Living and Memory Care community in Evanston, 13 miles north of Chicago and steps from the Purple Line. The culinary program runs three venues: Dean's Room, our main restaurant with an exhibition kitchen; Emerson Street Club, a private dining room; and The Prohibition Lounge. The menu is homemade, seasonal and locally sourced, and the service standard is modeled on a full-service hotel.

Position Overview

The Director of Culinary Experience leads all culinary operations for the community — both back of house and front of house — ensuring high-quality, nutritious meals are prepared and served in a clean, safe, and welcoming environment. This role owns menu development, food preparation, service standards, sanitation, budgeting, inventory control, and team development while ensuring compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations.

This rolepartners closely with the Executive Director, the Dining Manager, and the interdisciplinary team to align dining services with resident preferences, clinical needs, and Modena hospitality standards.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Team Development

• Hire, train, schedule, supervise, and evaluate culinary team members across all venues
• Partner with the Dining Manager on the development, training, and performance of front-of-house staff
• Provide coaching, performance feedback, and disciplinary recommendations as needed
• Conduct in-service training and ongoing education for culinary staff
• Ensure appropriate coverage and continuity of service at all times
• Build a bench: develop line-level talent into leadership roles

Culinary Operations & Resident Experience

• Plan, prepare, and oversee the delivery of all meals served in the community
• Develop menus in accordance with regulatory requirements, nutritional standards, and resident preferences — you are the creative authority here, designing the program rather than executing someone else's
• Create seasonal, scratch-made, locally sourced offerings across five distinct venues, each with its own identity
• Work closely with the Dining Manager to oversee the development and training of front-of-house staff, ensuring service standards match the quality of the food
• Own the guest experience end to end — from plate to table, across all five venues
• Perform in the exhibition kitchen; presentation and showmanship are part of the job
• Visit residents regularly to understand likes, dislikes, and dietary needs
• Support therapeutic and special diets in coordination with care teams and physician orders, across Independent Living, Assisted Living, and Memory Care
• Assist with meal preparation as needed to support service excellence

Food Safety, Compliance & Sanitation

• Maintain compliance with ServSafe, food handling, and sanitation standards
• Ensure adherence to all federal, Maryland state, and Montgomery County food service regulations
• Maintain a clean, safe, and organized kitchen and dining environment — including one guests can see into
• Inspect food storage, supply areas, and equipment regularly

Budgeting, Inventory & Purchasing

• Manage food, supply, and labor costs within approved budget guidelines
• Order food and supplies; maintain accurate inventories and portion controls
• Manage vendor and local-sourcing relationships
• Prepare annual budget requests and monitor monthly spending
• Implement systems to ensure quality, consistency, and cost control across all outlets

Operations, Documentation & Collaboration

• Maintain accurate documentation including menus, evaluations, purchase orders, and policies
• Participate in daily leadership stand-up meetings as part of the community leadership team
• Assist with resident care planning and attend care conferences as applicable
• Support community marketing efforts through tours, tastings, events, and special programs — prospective residents will meet you
• Plan and prepare food for activities, marketing events, and special occasions, including private events in The Post Room
• Perform other duties as assigned by the General Manager

Required Qualifications & Experience

• Culinary degree, certificate, or equivalent formal training
• ServSafe / Food Handler's Certification required (or ability to obtain)
• Significant experience leading a kitchen as Executive Chef, Chef de Cuisine, or Executive Sous Chef in a quality-driven operation
• Proven management experience with a large team — hiring, developing, and retaining talent
• Experience leading or partnering closely with front-of-house teams
• Demonstrated menu development experience; you've built programs, not just run them
• Knowledge of quantity food production, nutrition, and therapeutic diets
• Ability to manage budgets, inventory, and food cost controls
• Strong communication, leadership, and organizational skills
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and make sound decisions under pressure
• Passion for serving older adults and enhancing their daily dining experience

What Sets a Candidate Apart

• ACF certification (CEC, CSC) or comparable credential
• Multi-outlet or multi-concept experience
• Experience in an operation where the chef owned both kitchen and service standards
• Background in fine dining, hotel, resort, private club, or upscale hospitality
• Exhibition or open-kitchen experience
• Genuine hospitality instinct — you measure success by the guest experience, not just the plate
• Healthcare or senior living experience welcome but not required

What Solera Offers You

• A growing company with opportunities for career advancement
• Immediate pay access — no more waiting for payday
• Tuition reimbursement to support your professional growth
• Comprehensive medical benefits with discounted gym memberships
• Dental, vision, life, and disability insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Paid holidays and paid time off
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Perks and employee discount programs
• Supportive, team-oriented workplace culture

Solera Senior Living is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable law.

All offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of a background check.