Senior Living Sous Chef | Lead Kitchen & Nutritious Menus

Ovation; Omaha (NE); On-site; USD 65,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental & Vision Coverage

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Paid Time Off (PTO)

Paid Holidays

401(k) Retirement Plan

Health Savings Account (HSA)

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)

Supplemental Insurance Options

Legal Insurance

Pet Insurance

Employee Discounts

Job summary

Ovation Heartwood Preserve in Omaha, NE is seeking a Sous Chef to lead daily kitchen operations, assist the Executive Chef, and supervise prep and line staff. You will ensure high-quality, nutritious meals for independent living, assisted living and memory care residents, while maintaining food safety and regulatory standards.

You will collaborate to tailor menus to resident dietary needs, mentor kitchen team, and support a warm, welcoming dining environment.

Qualifications

• Culinary degree or formal apprenticeship; ServSafe or equivalent food protection credentials.
• 2-4 years of progressive kitchen experience with prior supervisory roles; senior living healthcare hospitality experience is a major plus.
• Proficient knife skills, large-batch cooking, recipe standardization, and menu planning.
• High levels of patience and empathy for memory care residents; strong organizational abilities and adaptable communication.
• Food safety certification and a Food Handler State Card are required.
• Maintain confidentiality of resident care information per HIPAA guidelines.
• A genuine desire to improve quality of life for seniors; create a warm, patient, enthusiastic and calm dining environment.
• Must maintain an active CPR/BLS certification during employment.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and cook high-quality meals for multiple venue types, from restaurant-style independent living dining rooms to specialized, texture-modified menus for memory care.
• Supervise, train, and schedule prep cooks, line cooks, and dishwashers in the Executive Chef's absence.
• Maintain strict adherence to sanitation, food safety (e.g., HACCP), and state health regulations for vulnerable populations.
• Ensure meals meet specific nutritional guidelines, including low-sodium, diabetic, pureed, and thickened-liquid diets.
• Assist with food inventory, ordering supplies, receiving deliveries, and minimizing kitchen waste.
• Solicit feedback from residents, cater special community events, and foster a welcoming, hospitality-focused dining environment.
• Perform all other duties as assigned.

Skills

Knife skills

Large-batch cooking

Recipe standardization

Menu planning

Supervisory experience

Empathy for seniors

Food safety knowledge

CPR/BLS readiness

HIPAA awareness

Education

Culinary degree or apprenticeship

ServSafe / Food Protection Manager

Job description

Ovation Heartwood Preserve in Omaha, NE is seeking a Sous Chef to lead daily kitchen operations, assist the Executive Chef, and supervise prep and line staff. You will ensure high-quality, nutritious meals for independent living, assisted living and memory care residents, while maintaining food safety and regulatory standards.

You will collaborate to tailor menus to resident dietary needs, mentor kitchen team, and support a warm, welcoming dining environment.