Interim Executive Chef — Stabilize & Elevate Kitchens

RiseMe; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 120,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401k with employer match

Paid holidays

PTO

Job summary

ESL Experience Senior Living is seeking a Culinary Specialist to provide interim Executive Chef leadership during vacancies and transitions. You will stabilize operations, maintain ESL standards, and lead kitchen and dining teams to deliver high-quality meals and service across communities.

The role requires hands-on culinary leadership, strong budgeting, purchasing, and staff development, with travel across the portfolio and a focus on resident satisfaction and regulatory compliance.

Qualifications

• Five or more years of progressive culinary experience in senior living, fine dining, hospitality, hotels, resorts, restaurants, or a comparable environment.
• Proven leadership experience in culinary operations and team management.
• Ability to manage budgets, food costs, labor targets, purchasing, vendors, scheduling, and department performance.

Responsibilities

• Provide temporary day-to-day leadership of a culinary department during Executive Chef vacancies or other operational needs.
• Assess food quality, dining service, sanitation, staffing, purchasing, inventory, and regulatory compliance.
• Lead daily kitchen and dining operations in an interim Executive Chef capacity.
• Plan and execute resident experiences, special events, and dining programs.
• Recruiting, onboarding, training, coaching, and performance management of culinary team members.
• Travel up to 100% across the Experience Senior Living portfolio.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Problem solving

Education

Culinary degree or equivalent

Tools

Computer literacy

Job description

ESL Experience Senior Living is seeking a Culinary Specialist to provide interim Executive Chef leadership during vacancies and transitions. You will stabilize operations, maintain ESL standards, and lead kitchen and dining teams to deliver high-quality meals and service across communities.

The role requires hands-on culinary leadership, strong budgeting, purchasing, and staff development, with travel across the portfolio and a focus on resident satisfaction and regulatory compliance.