Executive Chef

Gallaher Signature Living - Varenna; Santa Rosa (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

401(k) plan with match

Paid vacation and sick time

Paid holidays

Complimentary meals for staff

Career growth and training

Job summary

Gallaher Signature Living in Santa Rosa, CA is seeking an Executive Chef to lead culinary operations for our luxury senior living community. The role blends artistic cuisine with disciplined management, ensuring resident-focused dining and strict regulatory compliance.

You will oversee menu development, food production, staffing, budgeting, and audits, working with the Culinary Director to deliver exceptional dining experiences and uphold Gallaher Signature Living’s elevated hospitality

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of culinary leadership experience in high-volume, full-service environments.
• Strong leadership and teamwork skills with focus on mentorship and training.
• Proven ability to manage labor costs, inventory, and budgeting while maintaining quality.

Responsibilities

• Design and refine seasonal menus and resident-focused offerings.
• Ensure compliance with Title 22 and local health regulations.
• Oversee BOH operations, portion control, and presentation standards.
• Manage food and labor budgets aligned with company benchmarks.
• Lead recruitment, onboarding, scheduling, and performance management.

Skills

Culinary leadership

Budgeting & cost control

Food safety compliance

Regulatory knowledge

Staff supervision

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Word

Job description

Job Overview

The Executive Chef brings both refined culinary artistry and disciplined operational leadership. This individual will serve as the culinary steward of the community, responsible for delivering a dining experience that is sophisticated, resident-centered, and fully compliant with all applicable regulatory requirements. The ideal candidate is a collaborative leader, an inspiring mentor, and a meticulous operator who understands the balance between creativity, consistency, and fiscal responsibility.

The Executive Chef is responsible for the overall leadership and management of culinary operations, including menu development, food production, staff supervision, budgeting, and regulatory compliance. This role ensures that all meals are prepared and served in accordance with Title 22 regulations, food safety standards, andGallaher Signature Living’s elevated hospitality expectations. The Executive Chef collaborates closely with the Culinary Director and community leadership to deliver exceptional dining experiences that enhance resident satisfaction and well-being.

Schedule:

Sunday to Thursday 12pm - 8:30pm
Salary: $90,000 - $95,000/ year

Key Responsibilities

• Design, execute, and continuously refine seasonal menus, daily specials, and resident-informed offerings that reflect nutritional balance, variety, and culinary excellence.
• Ensure menus meet the dietary needs and preferences of residents while complying with all applicable Title 22 and food service regulations.
• Maintain awareness of culinary trends, techniques, and best practices appropriate for a luxury active adult dining environment.
• Oversee all back-of-house operations, ensuring consistent execution, portion control, and presentation standards.
• Manage food and labor budgets in alignment with company benchmarks; monitor costs, inventory, purchasing, and waste reduction strategies.
• Establish and maintain strong vendor relationships, ensuring quality, reliability, and cost effectiveness.
• Partner with the Culinary Director on daily operations as well as monthly, quarterly, and annual financial planning.
• Lead all BOH staffing functions, including recruitment, hiring, onboarding, scheduling, training, and performance management.
• Foster a professional, respectful, and accountable kitchen culture rooted in mentorship, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Ensure appropriate staffing levels to meet operational needs while maintaining compliance with labor regulations.
• Ensure full compliance with Title 22 regulations, local health department standards, and Gallaher Signature Living policies.
• Maintain proper food handling, storage, preparation, and sanitation practices at all times.
• Conduct regular line checks, kitchen inspections, and documentation reviews to ensure readiness for inspections and audits.
• Collaborate with community leadership to support regulatory surveys, corrective actions, and ongoing compliance initiatives.
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications & Requirements

• Minimum of 5 years of culinary leadership experience in a high-volume, full-service environment; fine-dining, luxury hospitality, or senior living experience strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated expertise in culinary technique, kitchen operations, and team leadership.
• Proven ability to manage financial performance, including labor controls, food cost management, inventory oversight, and budgeting.
• Working knowledge of food safety standards and regulatory requirements; Title 22 experience preferred.
• Ability to successfully pass all required physical examinations, background checks, and clearances in accordance with DSS licensing requirements.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, and professional email communication.

About Us

Gallaher Signature Living is redefining what it means to age well. Rooted in a legacy of compassion, elegance, and excellence, our communities go beyond traditional senior living—offering personalized experiences that enrich daily life and foster meaningful connections. As we continue to grow across California, we are building a team of forward-thinking professionals who are passionate about shaping the future of senior living.

Our support office is located in Windsor, California, and we currently operate residential communities in Santa Rosa, Alameda, Moorpark, and Covina. Our communities support active adults through Independent Living, Assisted Living, and Memory Care, delivering high-quality services in thoughtfully designed environments.

Benefit Offerings

• Medical (PPO and HSA), dental, and vision insurance options (fulltime only)
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) – (fulltime only)
• Life insurance (fulltime only)
• 401(k) plan with safe harbor employer match
• Paid vacation and sick time for hourly team members; PTO plan for exempt team members
• Hourly staff members receive paid time off for their anniversary and birthday
• Paid holidays
• Paid bereavement
• Paid jury duty
• Complimentary meals for day-shift property employees from our award‑winning dining programs
• Opportunities for career advancement and professional growth
• Extensive employer provided training for staff members at all levels

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

GSL is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment decisions based on merit. We want to have the best available people in every job. Company policy prohibits unlawful discrimination based on race, color, creed, sex (including pregnancy, perceived pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), religion (including religious dress and religious grooming), marital status, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, and legally protected medical condition or information, genetic characteristics, sexual orientation, gender (including gender identity and gender expression), family care or medical leave status, military caregiver status, military or veteran status, domestic partner status, hairstyles or any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, training, compensation, benefits, transfer, promotion, leave of absence, termination, layoff, and recall. GSL is committed to complying with all applicable laws providing equal employment opportunities. This commitment applies to all people involved in the operations of GSL and prohibits unlawful discrimination by any employee of GSL, including supervisors and coworkers.