Sous Chef - Senior Living Community

Thomas Cuisine; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 37,000 - 41,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid leave

Medical plans

Dental & Vision

401(k)

Wellness programs

Life insurance

Job summary

Thomas Cuisine is seeking an experienced Sous Chef to lead a high-volume culinary program in a senior living community in Dallas, TX. You will oversee multiple dining outlets, including an upscale restaurant and resident dining, while guiding the culinary team and maintaining exceptional food quality.

The role requires hands-on leadership, a strong focus on food safety, and the ability to manage production for 300–500 meals daily.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of professional culinary experience in elevated, high-volume, multi-outlet environments.
• Experience in leading culinary teams and providing direction during service.
• Strong knowledge of sauces, proteins, vegetables, starches, and various techniques.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily culinary operations across multiple dining outlets, producing hundreds of meals per day for residents and supporting catering events.
• Coach and motivate culinary team, ensuring teamwork, accountability and quality.
• Oversee kitchen operations in absence of Executive Sous Chef and ensure food safety standards.

Skills

Culinary leadership

High-volume cooking

Team coaching

Food safety

Communication

Education

Culinary degree

Tools

ServSafe Certification

Job description

Sous Chef - Senior Living Community | Location: Dallas, TX 75214

Compensation: $27-$30 per hour| Full-Time

Schedule: Shifts will vary slightly. Community closes at 7pm all days of the week. Tuesdays and Wednesdays off. Some holidays required.

Job Summary

We’re seeking an experienced and hands‑on Sous Chef to help lead a high-volume, elevated culinary program in a senior living community. This newly created position will support multiple dining outlets and culinary operations, including an upscale restaurant, everyday resident dining, and high-end catering and special events.

This is an opportunity for a strong culinary leader who is equally comfortable leading a team and working alongside them. From executing an elevated steak or classic hollandaise sauce to jumping in wherever the kitchen needs support, the Sous Chef will help set the standard for quality, consistency, teamwork, and hospitality. The role carries responsibilities similar to an Executive Sous Chef and will provide leadership coverage in the Executive Sous Chef’s absence, offering an excellent opportunity for continued professional growth.

What You'll Do

• Help lead daily culinary operations across multiple dining outlets, producing approximately 300–500 meals per day for residents and supporting catering and special events.
• Support elevated dining experiences, including upscale restaurant service, everyday resident dining, catering, and other key culinary operations.
• Work hands‑on alongside the culinary team, leading by example and stepping into production wherever needed.
• Support the Executive Sous Chef in overseeing kitchen operations and provide leadership coverage in their absence.
• Lead, coach, and motivate culinary team members while fostering a culture of teamwork, accountability, trust, and mutual respect.
• Provide clear direction during service, address performance concerns when needed, and ensure team members remain productive and engaged.
• Execute a wide range of culinary techniques and menu items, from everyday favorites to elevated scratch‑made cuisine, with consistency and attention to detail.
• Ensure recipes, presentation standards, portioning, production timelines, and quality expectations are consistently followed.
• Support high‑end catering events and special dining experiences, ensuring exceptional food quality, presentation, and execution.
• Monitor production levels and coordinate workflow to ensure all dining outlets and services are properly supported.
• Maintain accurate inventory, proper product rotation, FIFO practices, labeling, dating, and storage procedures.
• Ensure food safety, sanitation, and cleanliness standards are consistently maintained throughout the kitchen.
• Communicate effectively with culinary leadership, team members, residents, and other departments.
• Help identify opportunities to improve culinary execution, team performance, efficiency, and the overall resident dining experience.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

What You Will Bring

• 3+ years of professional culinary experience, preferably in an elevated, scratch‑cooking, high‑volume, or multi‑outlet environment.
• Previous experience as a Sous Chef, Lead Cook, Kitchen Supervisor, or similar culinary leadership role strongly preferred.
• Strong hands‑on culinary skills with the versatility to execute both everyday comfort foods and elevated restaurant‑quality cuisine.
• Experience with scratch cooking and a solid understanding of sauces, proteins, vegetables, starches, and a variety of cooking techniques.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, coach, and hold team members accountable while building teamwork and trust.
• Confidence handling day‑to‑day leadership situations, including providing direction, addressing performance concerns, and keeping the team focused during service.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and service demands in a kitchen producing approximately 300–500 meals daily.
• Catering, banquet, restaurant, or upscale dining experience strongly preferred.
• Senior living or healthcare culinary experience is preferred but not required; strong restaurant, hospitality, or other relevant culinary experience will be considered.
• A humble, team‑oriented leadership style with a willingness to jump in wherever needed.
• Strong communication, organization, time‑management, and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to maintain high standards of food quality, presentation, sanitation, and food safety.
• Flexibility to work a varied schedule based on operational needs, including weekends and holidays. Days off may vary from week to week.
• Culinary degree or formal culinary training is a plus.
• ServSafe® Certification and applicable Food Handler certification preferred or required based on local regulations.
• Ability to successfully complete required pre‑employment screening.

Physical and Sensory Requirements

• This job involves regular exposure to moving mechanical parts and a kitchen environment with fumes, airborne particles, and moderate noise. Employees must have the physical stamina to stand for long periods, lift trays, and perform repetitive tasks. Occasional exposure to wet or humid conditions, extreme temperatures, and vibration may occur. Reasonable accommodations are available for individuals with disabilities.

At Thomas Cuisine, our people are purposeful. They care about food and quality and have a desire to make a positive impact in the world through REAL food. Embark on a rewarding culinary journey with us, where your skills will not only flourish but also contribute significantly to the satisfaction and well‑being of our healthcare community.

What We Offer!

Life/Work Integration

• Paid Baby Bonding Leave
• Paid Elder Care Leave
• 3 Medical Plans (Blue Cross)
• Prescription, Dental, and Vision Coverage
• Reimbursed Wellness Massages (Portion of cost)
• Voluntary HSA with Company Match
• Voluntary FSA
• Free Employee Assistance Program (Behavioral Health Support)
• Access to Wellness Initiatives (Fitness Memberships, etc.)
• 401(k) Retirement Plan with Company Match
• Company-Paid Basic Life Insurance
• Voluntary Short‑Term Disability
• Voluntary Employee, Spouse, and/or child(ren) Life Insurance, with AD&D

Plus

• A supportive, collaborative work environment
• Opportunities for growth

Who We Are

Founded in 1986, Thomas Cuisine is an award‑winning, privately held contract food service company. We advocate the healing power of whole foods and believe in preparing scratch‑made cuisine fresh each day. Our people are purposeful, they care about food and quality, and have a desire to make a positive impact in the world through REAL food. Embark on a rewarding culinary journey with us, where your skills will not only flourish, but also contribute significantly to the satisfaction and well‑being of our growing community.

Our commitment to you

At Thomas Cuisine, we are dedicated to fostering a workplace that is diverse, equitable, inclusive, and where every individual feels a sense of belonging. We know that this commitment is an ongoing journey, and we will strive to improve and adapt as we grow. Our DEIB commitment is not just a statement but a living part of our company culture.

REAL Food | Genuine Service | Enduring Relationships

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.