Culinary Director

About the role

Harmony Gardens, a Cassia community, is hiring a Culinary Director to join our team! This is a fantastic opportunity for a hands‑on leader who is passionate about creating exceptional dining experiences and leading a strong culinary team. At Harmony Gardens, you’ll work in a welcoming, resident‑focused environment where your leadership, creativity, and commitment to quality are truly valued. As the Culinary Director, you will oversee the daily operations of the department to ensure high‑quality meals and outstanding service for our residents. You’ll collaborate with our dietitian team to develop enticing, nutritious menus, supervise and train culinary staff, manage scheduling and inventory, and ensure regulatory compliance.

Location: 1438 County Road C East, Maplewood, MN 55109 – Full‑Time position.

Responsibilities

• Ensure appropriate nutritional care is provided to all residents.
• Coordinate with home office dietitians to plan meals at the campus.
• Oversee daily operations of the Culinary Services department.
• Guarantee meals, snacks, and supplements are planned, prepared, and served to residents in a pleasant atmosphere.
• Complete nutritional interviews with residents.
• Hire, train, supervise and manage the culinary staff.
• Promote special food events (Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, etc.) for residents and guests.
• Perform additional tasks as required.

Qualifications

• Culinary Arts degree preferred.
• 3+ years’ experience as lead chef in a hospitality or health‑care environment.
• Current Food Protection Manager (CFPM) certification – must obtain within first 90 days of employment.
• 3+ years’ leadership experience in food service management.
• Knowledge of food allergies, modified textures, therapeutic diets, and diseases related to nutrition.
• Knowledge of computer applications.
• Knowledge of local, state and federal food service regulations.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Benefits

• Competitive pay with experience‑based raises.
• Tuition assistance & student loan forgiveness (site‑specific).
• Generous paid time off (PTO) & 403(b)/401(k) with employer match.
• Comprehensive health benefits (medical, dental, vision, disability, life insurance) for full‑time employees.
• Employee assistance program with free confidential counseling/coaching for self and family members.
• Pet insurance.
• Metropass – discounted bus pass.

Pay

Pay range: $32 – $37 per hour, depending on experience.

About Us

Our senior living campus opened in December 2022 and is only 2 miles away from Maplewood Mall, beautiful parks (Hazelwood and Harvest Park), and a variety of dining options. Our new state‑of‑the‑art senior living community includes independent living, assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing, and long‑term care options. Cassia is a nonprofit, mission‑driven senior care organization with over 200 years of experience. As a Cassia community, we are dedicated to fostering fullness of life for older adults by providing compassionate, high‑quality care. Our Service Standards of Respect, Excellence, Integrity, Stewardship, Compassion, Collaboration, Unity, and Innovation are the bedrock of all that we do. We value inclusivity, collaboration, and professional growth, ensuring our employees feel supported in their careers.