Healthcare Dining Kitchen Lead — Sous Chef

Encore HCS; West Meadow (DE); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Encore Parkside seeks a dependable Sous Chef to lead daily culinary operations in our healthcare dining program serving Independent Living, Assisted Living, and Health Care Center residents. You will collaborate with the Director of Dining Services to deliver safe, high-quality meals.

The role requires prior culinary leadership, knowledge of food safety, ability to work weekends, and a calm, organized approach in a fast-paced environment; healthcare dining experience is preferred.

Qualifications

• Previous professional culinary or food-service experience required.
• Prior lead or supervisory experience preferred.
• Healthcare, senior living, assisted living, skilled nursing, or institutional dining experience preferred.
• Knowledge of food safety, sanitation, food temperatures, and special diets.
• Strong organizational, communication, and teamwork skills.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and remain calm under pressure.
• Food safety certification required or must be obtained as required by applicable regulations.
• Must be available to work weekends, holidays, and varying shifts as needed.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate daily kitchen production and ensure meals are prepared and served on time.
• Prepare and cook menu items using standardized recipes and proper culinary techniques.
• Assign daily tasks and provide direction, coaching, and support to Cooks and Utility Workers.
• Ensure proper portioning, presentation, food temperatures, and recipe compliance.
• Follow special diets, allergies, texture modifications, and resident-specific dining requirements.
• Maintain food safety, sanitation, cleaning, labeling, storage, and temperature standards.
• Monitor inventory, product quality, food rotation, and supply needs.
• Coordinate meal production with Dining Services and clinical staff.
• Assist with training, scheduling coverage, special events, holiday meals, and menu initiatives.
• Address resident dining concerns professionally and communicate significant issues to the Director of Dining Services.
• Maintain a clean, organized, safe, and efficient kitchen.
• Follow all applicable healthcare, food-service, safety, and confidentiality requirements.

Skills

Culinary leadership

Food safety

Communication

Teamwork

Supervisory experience

Healthcare dining

Fast-paced work

Job description

Encore Parkside seeks a dependable Sous Chef to lead daily culinary operations in our healthcare dining program serving Independent Living, Assisted Living, and Health Care Center residents. You will collaborate with the Director of Dining Services to deliver safe, high-quality meals.

The role requires prior culinary leadership, knowledge of food safety, ability to work weekends, and a calm, organized approach in a fast-paced environment; healthcare dining experience is preferred.