Sous Chef

Encore Parkside; West Meadow (DE); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Encore Parkside is seeking a dependable and experienced Sous Chef to support daily culinary operations in our healthcare dining environment, working with the Director of Dining Services and kitchen team to serve high-quality meals. This role requires supervising cooks, ensuring food safety, proper portioning, and adherence to special diets, while coordinating with clinical staff to meet resident needs.

Weekend and holiday coverage may be required; healthcare dining experience and food-safety

Qualifications

• Previous professional culinary or food-service experience required.
• Prior lead or supervisory experience preferred.
• Healthcare, senior living, assisted living, skilled nursing, or institutional dining experience preferred.
• Knowledge of food safety, sanitation, food temperatures, and special diets.
• Strong organizational, communication, and teamwork skills.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and remain calm under pressure.
• Food safety certification required or must be obtained as required by applicable regulations.
• Must be available to work weekends, holidays, and varying shifts as needed.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate daily kitchen production and ensure meals are prepared and served on time.
• Prepare and cook menu items using standardized recipes and proper culinary techniques.
• Assign daily tasks and provide direction, coaching, and support to Cooks and Utility Workers.
• Ensure proper portioning, presentation, food temperatures, and recipe compliance.
• Follow special diets, allergies, texture modifications, and resident-specific dining requirements.
• Maintain food safety, sanitation, cleaning, labeling, storage, and temperature standards.
• Monitor inventory, product quality, food rotation, and supply needs.
• Coordinate meal production with Dining Services and clinical staff.
• Assist with training, scheduling coverage, special events, holiday meals, and menu initiatives.
• Address resident dining concerns professionally and communicate significant issues to the Director of Dining Services.
• Maintain a clean, organized, safe, and efficient kitchen.
• Follow all applicable healthcare, food-service, safety, and confidentiality requirements.

Skills

Leadership

Teamwork

Communication

Food safety

Healthcare dining experience

Job description

Encore Parkside is seeking a dependable and experienced Sous Chef to support daily culinary operations and provide hands-on leadership in our healthcare dining environment. The Sous Chef works closely with the Director of Dining Services and kitchen team to ensure safe, timely, high-quality meals for Independent Living, Assisted Living, and Health Care Center residents.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate daily kitchen production and ensure meals are prepared and served on time.
• Prepare and cook menu items using standardized recipes and proper culinary techniques.
• Assign daily tasks and provide direction, coaching, and support to Cooks and Utility Workers.
• Ensure proper portioning, presentation, food temperatures, and recipe compliance.
• Follow special diets, allergies, texture modifications, and resident-specific dining requirements.
• Maintain food safety, sanitation, cleaning, labeling, storage, and temperature standards.
• Monitor inventory, product quality, food rotation, and supply needs.
• Coordinate meal production with Dining Services and clinical staff.
• Assist with training, scheduling coverage, special events, holiday meals, and menu initiatives.
• Address resident dining concerns professionally and communicate significant issues to the Director of Dining Services.
• Maintain a clean, organized, safe, and efficient kitchen.
• Follow all applicable healthcare, food-service, safety, and confidentiality requirements.

Qualifications

• Previous professional culinary or food-service experience required.
• Prior lead or supervisory experience preferred.
• Healthcare, senior living, assisted living, skilled nursing, or institutional dining experience preferred.
• Knowledge of food safety, sanitation, food temperatures, and special diets.
• Strong organizational, communication, and teamwork skills.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and remain calm under pressure.
• Food safety certification required or must be obtained as required by applicable regulations.
• Must be available to work weekends, holidays, and varying shifts as needed.

Why Join Encore Healthcare Services?

Join a team dedicated to providing high-quality dining experiences and compassionate service to our residents while supporting a safe, professional, and collaborative workplace.

This organization does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of ancestry, race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, military status, veteran status, or disability. No question on the application is intended to secure information to be used for such discrimination. This application will be given every consideration, however its receipt does not imply employment for the applicant.