Executive Chef - Senior Living

Senior Star; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Senior Star in Columbus, OH is seeking an Executive Chef who leads by example, cooks alongside the team, and elevates dining for residents across Independent Living, Assisted Living, and Memory Care.

This hands-on leadership role partners with the Food & Beverage Director to plan menus, manage inventory and food costs, maintain safety standards, and mentor the culinary team to deliver Legendary Hospitality.

Qualifications

• Strong professional culinary experience with previous kitchen leadership experience.
• Culinary education, training, or equivalent professional experience.
• Current ServSafe certification.
• A chef who wants to cook and is comfortable spending their shifts actively working in the kitchen and on the line.
• Strong knowledge of food preparation, presentation, portion control, and service.
• Experience with menu planning, inventory, purchasing, food costs, budgets, and receiving.
• Strong knowledge of sanitation and food safety requirements.
• Ability to train, motivate, develop, and hold a culinary team accountable.
• Strong organization, communication, and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to balance the demands of daily food production with the leadership responsibilities of the position.
• A genuine desire to improve the lives of seniors and embrace the Senior Star mission and culture.

Responsibilities

• Be an active part of daily food production, including cooking and working the line during your shifts.
• Lead the culinary and back‑of‑house team in producing consistently high‑quality meals for Independent Living, Assisted Living, and Memory Care.
• Partner closely with the Food & Beverage Director on menu planning, inventory, purchasing, food costs, culinary operations, and overall dining quality.
• Ensure every plate meets expectations for taste, presentation, portioning, temperature, and consistency.
• Lead food production for daily dining, special events, and catering.
• Train, coach, and develop culinary associates while working alongside them.
• Maintain exceptional standards for food safety, sanitation, infection control, and regulatory compliance.
• Monitor inventory, food usage, waste, receiving, and kitchen supplies to support strong operational results.
• Listen to resident feedback and work with the Food & Beverage Director to continually improve menus and the dining experience.
• Step in wherever needed to keep the kitchen running smoothly and ensure residents receive the experience they deserve.

Skills

Executive kitchen leadership

Line cooking

Menu planning

Food safety

Team development

Budgeting & cost control

Sanitation standards

Communication

Problem solving

Resident-focused hospitality

Education

ServSafe certification

Job description

Executive Chef

Harrison on 5th | Senior Star

At Senior Star, dining is more than a meal. It is hospitality, connection, comfort, and one of the experiences our residents look forward to every day.

We are looking for an experienced Executive Chef who takes pride in their craft, sets a high standard in the kitchen, and knows how to lead by example.

This is a hands‑on culinary leadership role. Our Executive Chef works directly alongside the Food & Beverage Director to lead culinary operations, plan menus, manage inventory and food costs, and continually elevate the dining experience. Just as importantly, this leader is part of the daily operation - cooking, working the line, and producing meals alongside the culinary team.

What You’ll Do

• Be an active part of daily food production, includingcooking and working the line during your shifts.
• Lead the culinary and back‑of‑house team in producing consistently high‑quality meals for Independent Living, Assisted Living, and Memory Care.
• Partner closely with the Food & Beverage Director on menu planning, inventory, purchasing, food costs, culinary operations, and overall dining quality.
• Ensure every plate meets expectations for taste, presentation, portioning, temperature, and consistency.
• Lead food production for daily dining, special events, and catering.
• Train, coach, and develop culinary associates while working alongside them.
• Maintain exceptional standards for food safety, sanitation, infection control, and regulatory compliance.
• Monitor inventory, food usage, waste, receiving, and kitchen supplies to support strong operational results.
• Listen to resident feedback and work with the Food & Beverage Director to continually improve menus and the dining experience.
• Step in wherever needed to keep the kitchen running smoothly and ensure residents receive the experience they deserve.

What Top in Class Looks Like

Legendary Hospitality
You understand that the plate in front of you belongs to a person, not a table number. You care about preferences, presentation, consistency, and the small details that make residents feel known and cared for.

Legendary Teamwork
You don't lead the kitchen from the sidelines. You work shoulder‑to‑shoulder with your culinary team, jump on the line, solve problems in the moment, and partner closely with the Food & Beverage Director and front‑of‑house team to deliver an exceptional dining experience.

Legendary Leadership
You set the standard by demonstrating it. You bring strong culinary skills, high expectations, and accountability while also being willing to pick up a knife, work a station, and help your team get the job done. You take ownership of both the quality coming out of the kitchen and the results behind it.

What We’re Looking For

• Strong professional culinary experience with previous kitchen leadership experience.
• Culinary education, training, or equivalent professional experience.
• Current ServSafe certification.
• A chef who wants to cook and is comfortable spending their shifts actively working in the kitchen and on the line.
• Strong knowledge of food preparation, presentation, portion control, and service.
• Experience with menu planning, inventory, purchasing, food costs, budgets, and receiving.
• Strong knowledge of sanitation and food safety requirements.
• Ability to train, motivate, develop, and hold a culinary team accountable.
• Strong organization, communication, and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to balance the demands of daily food production with the leadership responsibilities of the position.
• A genuine desire to improve the lives of seniors and embrace the Senior Star mission and culture.

At Senior Star, Top in Class dining starts with leaders who are willing to be part of the work. We are looking for an Executive Chef who takes pride in what leaves the kitchen, develops the people working beside them, and partners with the Food & Beverage Director to continually raise the standard.

If you're a culinary leader who still loves to cook, takes pride in a well‑run kitchen, and believes great food and Legendary Hospitality go hand in hand, we'd love to meet you.

#INDHFA