Lead Cook - Senior Living

Allegro Senior Living, LLC; Winter Park (FL); On-site; USD 38,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Allegro Winter Park, located in Winter Park, FL, is seeking a Lead Cook to own and elevate its culinary program for a distinguished senior living community. This role goes beyond line cooking; you will set standards, ensure quality, and guide the kitchen team.

The ideal candidate has Lead Cook experience, strong knowledge of food safety, ability to maintain consistency in a high-volume kitchen, and weekend availability.

Qualifications

• 18+ years of age requirement.
• State Food Manager Certification or ability to certify within 30 days of hire.
• Must pass background screening.
• Drug-free workplace policy adherence.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily kitchen operations and set the standard for food quality, consistency, and presentation.
• Prepare and oversee meal production according to approved menus and recipes.
• Ensure compliance with food safety, sanitation, and regulatory requirements.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and efficiently run kitchen across shifts.
• Guide and support kitchen team members to foster a professional environment.
• Monitor food quality, portion control, and presentation on every plate.

Skills

Lead Cook experience

Food safety knowledge

High-volume kitchen

Weekend availability

Job description

Allegro Winter Park, 2701 Howell Branch Road, Winter Park, Florida, United States of America

Job Description

Posted Monday, August 3, 2026 at 4:00 AM

Lead a kitchen. Set the standard. Cook for people who truly appreciate it.

Allegro Winter Park — one of Central Florida's most beautiful senior living communities — is seeking an experienced Lead Cook to take ownership of our culinary program. This is a step above line cooking — you'll be the standard-setter, the quality keeper, and the go-to person who makes sure every meal that leaves this kitchen is something to be proud of.

Winter Park is one of the most desirable communities in Central Florida, just 15 minutes from downtown — and our kitchen team is solid, experienced, and ready for a strong leader to join them.

What You’ll Do:

• Lead daily kitchen operations and set the standard for food quality, consistency, and presentation
• Prepare and oversee meal production according to approved menus and recipes
• Ensure strict compliance with food safety, sanitation, and regulatory requirements
• Maintain a clean, organized, and efficiently run kitchen throughout every shift
• Support and guide kitchen team members, fostering a positive and professional environment
• Monitor food quality, portion control, and presentation on every plate

What You Bring:

• Lead Cook experience — required
• Strong knowledge of food safety regulations and compliance standards
• Ability to maintain quality and consistency in a high-volume kitchen environment
• Dependable, professional, and takes pride in culinary excellence
• Weekend availability required

Why Allegro Winter Park?

You'll join a solid, experienced culinary team in a beautiful senior living community in the heart of Winter Park — one of Central Florida's most charming and sought-after areas. This is a kitchen where your leadership is valued, your standards matter, and the residents you cook for genuinely look forward to every meal.

Allegro Winter Park

2701 Howell Branch Road, Winter Park, FL 32792
Full-Time | Lead Cook Experience Required | ServSafe Manager Required

The primary responsibility of the Lead Cook is to prepare food of the highest quality and taste for the residents and guests of the Community, ensuring that the food presentation enhances the dining experience of the residents and guests. The Lead Cook will also assist the Dining Services Director (DSD) in managing the operation of the DS department to include staffing, food ordering, preparation, menu planning, food delivery, and sanitation in accordance with appropriate industry and health department regulations.

Areas of Responsibility

• Prepare delicious and attractive food that is colorful and tastefully presented, making each meal service an exceptional occasion.
• Supervise the kitchen under the direction of the DSD.
• Maintain kitchen and food preparation areas in a clean and sanitary manner.
• Prepare high quality meals consistent with local customs and tastes. Consistently adhere to the standard recipes, posted approved menus, budgeted costs, and Company policies.
• Approach residents and associates in a friendly, service-oriented manner.
• Monitor water, food, refrigerator, and freezer temperatures and/or chemical compounds as appropriate to ensure the prevention of food borne illness and the spread of communicable disease.
• Prepare high quality meals consistent with local customs and tastes. Consistently adhere to the standard recipes, posted approved menus, budgeted costs, and Company policies.
• Work closely with the Lead Server in training and scheduling associates.
• Participate in recruitment, selection, and orientation of new DS associates.
• Other duties as assigned – see full job description.

Required Qualifications

• Must be a minimum of 18 years of age.
• Must have state specific Food Manager Certification or be able to certify within 30 days of hire.
• Must have a positive Criminal Background Screening.
• The Community is a drug free workplace; associates are subject to adherence to the Company Drug Free Workplace policy.

Preferred Qualifications

• Minimum of three (3) year food service (or related field) preferred.
• Some software and computer skills preferred.

Allegro Living, LLC serves as the parent company of Allegro Management Company and Spring Arbor Management Company, uniting decades of senior living expertise under one trusted name. Formed through the 2025 merger of two well-established brands, Allegro Living is building a premier senior living platform defined by inspired lifestyles, compassionate care, and meaningful regional reach. The only thing we’re missing is YOU!

Equal Employment Opportunity & Non-Discrimination

Allegro Livingprovides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

Allegro Winter Park, 2701 Howell Branch Road, Winter Park, Florida, United States of America