Senior Chef - Senior Living / Washington, UT

Ovation; Washington (UT); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental & Vision Coverage

PTO

401(k)

HSA

Employee Discounts

Job summary

Ovation is seeking a Senior Chef to lead culinary operations for our senior living communities in Washington, UT. You will plan menus, manage staff, and oversee budgets while ensuring nutritious, appealing meals tailored to varying dietary needs.

Applicants should have 3–5 years of culinary management, a culinary degree or equivalent, ServSafe Manager certification, and active CPR/BLS. CDM/CFPP preferred. Strong knife skills and cleanliness are essential.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of culinary management experience, preferably in senior living, hospitality, or healthcare.
• Culinary degree from an accredited institution (ACF certification acceptable) or equivalent extensive experience.
• ServSafe Manager certification required; CDM or CFPP highly preferred.
• Proficient knife skills and large-batch cooking; menu planning and recipe standardization.
• Active CPR/BLS certification and Food Handler State Card required.

Responsibilities

• Create rotating, seasonal menus for senior living facilities.
• Ensure meals meet dietary guidelines and nutritional standards.
• Recruit, train, schedule, and mentor culinary staff.
• Lead food committees and resident council meetings to gather feedback.
• Manage food costs, inventory, and waste.
• Maintain kitchen cleanliness and food safety per ServSafe standards.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Culinary management

Menu planning

Food safety

Knife skills

Staff leadership

Education

Culinary degree or equivalent

ACF certification

Tools

ServSafe Manager

CDM/CFPP

Food Handler State Card

CPR/BLS certified

Job description

Senior Chef

Status: Full-time

Schedule: Varies

Location: Ovation Sienna Hills - 1525 E Ovation Pl, Washington, UT 84780

Job Summary

A Senior Chef in senior living oversees all culinary operations for independent living, assisted living, and memory care communities. This includes menu planning, staff management, budget administration, and regulatory compliance to provide high-quality, nutritious, and engaging dining experiences tailored to varying dietary needs.

Essential Duties and Job Responsibilities

• Create rotating, seasonal menus for senior living facilities.
• Ensure all meals meet dietary guidelines, nutritional standards, and state regulatory requirements for senior living facilities.
• Recruit, train, schedule, and mentor culinary staff. Conduct regular culinary training and ensure compliance with food safety and sanitation standards.
• Lead regular food committees and resident council meetings to gather feedback. Adjust menus and service styles to maximize resident satisfaction.
• Manage food and supply costs within established budgetary parameters. Oversee ordering, inventory control, and waste management.
• Maintain the highest standards of kitchen cleanliness, food storage, and equipment maintenance in accordance with ServSafe and local health department codes.
• Perform all other duties as assigned.
• 3-5 years of culinary management experience, preferably in senior living, hospitality, or healthcare.
• Culinary degree from an accredited institution (e.g., ACF certified) or equivalent extensive experience.
• ServSafe Manager certification required. Certified Dietary Manager (CDM) or Certified Food Protection Professional (CFPP) highly preferred.
• Proficient knife skills, large-batch cooking, recipe standardization, and menu planning.
• High levels of patience and empathy, strong organizational abilities, and adaptable communication skills.
• Food safety certification and Food Handler State Card required.
• A genuine desire to improve the quality of life for seniors.
• Create and uphold an atmosphere of warmth, patience, enthusiasm, and a calm and cheerful environment.
• Must maintain and have an active CPR/BLS during employment.

At Ovation, we believe caring for others starts with caring for our own teams. Our benefits are designed to support your well-being, growth, and peace of mind—so you can focus on making a difference every day.

Employees are Benefits-eligible at 30+ hours/week. Coverage begins the 1st of the month following hire

• Medical, Dental & Vision Coverage – Regence medical plans (PPO & HDHP), Delta Dental (with orthodontia), and VSP vision
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – Free, confidential support for mental health, stress, family needs & work/life balance (Canopy)
• Paid Time Off (PTO) – Flexible PTO program combining vacation, sick, and holiday time
• Paid Holidays – Six recognized holidays, with premium pay for eligible hourly employees
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Available after 90 days, with discretionary employer match
• Health Savings Account (HSA) – Employer contributes up to $600/year for HDHP participants
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) – Medical, Limited, Dependent Care, and Commuter options
• Supplemental Insurance Options – Accident, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity, Life & Disability (Sun Life)
• Legal Insurance – Affordable access to legal support for common life needs
• Pet Insurance – Discounted plans through Wishbone
• Employee Discounts – Savings on travel, entertainment, electronics, fitness & more (Tickets at Work)

Ovation by Avamere is an Equal Opportunity Employer and participates in E-Verify