Sous Chef

QUAIL PARK OF LYNNWOOD; Visalia, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 48,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

PTO

Medical insurance

Dental/vision

Retirement

Tuition reimbursement

Education development

Employee meals

Career growth

Hospitality culture

Job summary

Quail Park Communities in Visalia, CA is seeking an experienced Sous Chef to lead the Signature Dining team. You will oversee daily culinary operations, craft high-quality meals, and deliver hospitality that enhances residents' dining experiences.

This full-time role requires hands-on leadership, food safety, menu development support, and collaboration with the Director of Signature Dining. Weekend and holiday shifts are included, with a competitive wage of $24 per hour.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years of food service experience.
• At least 1 year of supervisory or lead experience preferred.
• Experience in senior living dining is preferred.
• Strong leadership, communication, and hospitality mindset.
• Ability to work weekends and holidays as scheduled.

Responsibilities

• Partner with the Director of Signature Dining to coordinate daily kitchen operations.
• Lead, train, coach, and support culinary team members during assigned shifts.
• Provide hands-on support with food preparation and cooking.
• Ensure meals are prepared and served on time and to quality standards.
• Support dining room operations when needed and maintain budgets.

Education

Culinary arts training or certification preferred

Job description

Sous Chef – Create Exceptional Dining Experiences

Quail Park Communities | Visalia, CA

Wage: $24.00 an hour

Full-Time | Includes Weekends & Holidays as Scheduled

Bring Your Culinary Talent to a Team That Serves With Purpose

At Quail Park Communities, dining is about much more than a meal. It is about hospitality, connection, and creating experiences that residents look forward to every day.

We’re looking for an experienced and passionate Sous Chef to join our Signature Dining team in Visalia. This is an exciting opportunity for a culinary professional who enjoys leading a team, creating high-quality meals, and working in an environment where your food and service directly impact the lives of seniors.

If you’re a hands-on culinary leader who takes pride in quality, presentation, teamwork, and exceptional hospitality, we’d love to meet you.

Why Join Quail Park Communities?

At Quail Park, we believe great dining starts with great people.

• Competitive compensation
• Paid Time Off
• Medical insurance for eligible full-time team members
• Dental and vision benefits
• Retirement savings opportunities
• Education assistance or tuition reimbursement
• Continuing education and professional development
• Employee meals and coffee perks
• Opportunities for career growth and advancement
• A collaborative, hospitality-focused work environment

Your Impact

As Sous Chef, you’ll work closely with the Director of Signature Dining to oversee daily culinary operations and ensure residents receive high-quality, flavorful, nutritious, and beautifully presented meals.

You’ll be both a culinary leader and a hands-on member of the kitchen team, helping ensure every meal meets Quail Park’s standards for quality, safety, and hospitality.

You may also step into a leadership role in the absence of the Director of Signature Dining.

What You’ll Do

Culinary Leadership & Kitchen Operations

• Partner with the Director of Signature Dining to coordinate daily kitchen operations.
• Help develop kitchen schedules, assignments, and production plans.
• Lead, train, coach, and support culinary team members during assigned shifts.
• Provide hands-on support with food preparation and cooking.
• Help ensure meals are prepared and served on time and according to established quality standards.
• Step in to support dining room operations when needed.
• Assist with department operations in the absence of the Director of Signature Dining or Dining Room Manager.
• Help maintain the culinary department within established budget guidelines.

Create Exceptional Food

• Assist with menu development and execution.
• Prepare meals that provide variety, flavor, visual appeal, and appropriate nutritional value for senior residents.
• Ensure food is consistently prepared and presented at a high standard.
• Demonstrate knowledge of cooking techniques, ingredients, recipes, and kitchen equipment.
• Adapt food preparation as needed for dietary requirements and resident needs.
• Support culinary operations across multiple dining venues when applicable.

Food Safety & Sanitation

• Maintain strict food safety and sanitation standards.
• Ensure proper food handling, storage, preparation, and temperature-control procedures.
• Maintain clean, organized, and sanitary kitchen, food preparation, and storage areas.
• Follow applicable OSHA, California Department of Public Health, local health department, and company requirements.
• Ensure team members understand and follow food safety and sanitation procedures.

Inventory & Equipment

• Assist with ordering food and kitchen supplies.
• Monitor inventory levels and help minimize waste.
• Maintain appropriate supplies of food, small wares, and kitchen equipment.
• Report equipment concerns and maintenance needs promptly.
• Help ensure food storage areas remain organized and properly maintained.

Resident Experience & Hospitality

At Quail Park, the culinary team is an important part of the resident experience.

You’ll:

• Build positive relationships with residents, families, guests, and team members.
• Listen to resident feedback and help identify opportunities to improve dining experiences.
• Support special events, celebrations, parties, and community functions.
• Participate in marketing and hospitality events when needed.
• Help create a dining environment that feels welcoming, personal, and enjoyable.

What We’re Looking For

We’re looking for a culinary professional who combines technical skill with leadership and hospitality.

The ideal candidate will have:

• Culinary arts training or certification preferred.
• Minimum 3 years of food service experience, with increasing levels of responsibility.
• At least 1 year of supervisory or lead experience preferred.
• Previous restaurant or senior living dining experience preferred.
• Experience working in multiple dining venues preferred.
• Strong understanding of kitchen and dining operations.
• Experience developing or executing menus appropriate for senior populations preferred.
• Strong knowledge of cooking techniques, ingredients, equipment, and food preparation.
• Strong leadership, communication, and team-building skills.
• Exceptional customer service and hospitality mindset.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills.
• Attention to detail and commitment to quality.
• Basic computer proficiency.
• Ability to communicate effectively with residents, families, guests, vendors, and team members.
• Ability to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.

Required Certifications

• Current Food Handler certification or ability to obtain as required.
• Current CPR/First Aid certification or ability to obtain as required.
• Completion of required annual continuing education and training.

Additional Requirements

• Ability to meet applicable health, food safety, and employment requirements.
• Successful completion of required pre-employment screening, which may include a background check, TB screening, and other job-related requirements.

Schedule

• Full-time position
• Schedule may include breakfast, lunch, and/or dinner service.
• Must be available for weekends and holiday rotations as scheduled.
• Schedule may vary based on community dining and operational needs.

Create Meals. Build Connections. Make a Difference.

Great food has a way of bringing people together.

At Quail Park Communities, your work as a Sous Chef can become part of a resident’s favorite meal, a family celebration, a special event, or an everyday moment that makes someone feel at home.

If you’re ready to bring your culinary skills and leadership to a team that values quality, hospitality, and the resident experience, we want to hear from you.

Apply today and join Quail Park Communities!

Equal Employment Opportunity

LC Tenant, LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing an inclusive, respectful, and welcoming workplace. Employment decisions are made in accordance with applicable federal, California, and local laws.

We comply with applicable California fair‑chance requirements and consider qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with applicable law. Reasonable accommodations are available to qualified applicants and team members with disabilities and for sincerely held religious beliefs, practices, or observances, as required by law.

Employment is contingent upon successful completion of required pre‑employment screening, which may include a criminal background check, TB screening, and other job‑related requirements.