Director of Culinary Experience

Director Of Culinary Experience - Modena Reserve At Kensington Four dining venues. An exhibition kitchen. And a community that promises residents a culinary experience on par with a country club or fine hotel. Modena Reserve at Kensington is a boutique, 5-star senior living community in Montgomery County, steps from the Kensington train station and minutes from D.C. We're looking for a seasoned Director of Culinary Experience to lead a culinary program that's genuinely unlike anything else in this space. You don't need a senior living background. If you've run a kitchen in fine dining, a hotel, a private club, or a resort and you're ready for creative ownership, a stable schedule, and residents who actually know your name — we want to talk. At Solera Senior Living, we are guided by our Core Values — Compassion, Communication, Commitment, and Creativity — in everything we do. The Venues You'll Lead The Metropolitan Club — Our signature dining room, anchored by an exhibition kitchen where cooking is part of the experienceThe Capitol Club — A wine bar with a sliding glass wall for indoor/outdoor happy hours and elevated appetizersThe District Café — Locally sourced gourmet coffee and pastries, right by the train stopThe Post Room — Private dining for family celebrations and special occasions Position Overview The Director of Culinary Experience leads all culinary operations for the community — both back of house and front of house — ensuring high-quality, nutritious meals are prepared and served in a clean, safe, and welcoming environment. This role owns menu development, food preparation, service standards, sanitation, budgeting, inventory control, and team development while ensuring compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations. This role partners closely with the Executive Director, the Dining Manager, and the interdisciplinary team to align dining services with resident preferences, clinical needs, and Modena hospitality standards. Key Responsibilities Leadership & Team Development Hire, train, schedule, supervise, and evaluate culinary team members across all venuesPartner with the Dining Manager on the development, training, and performance of front-of-house staffProvide coaching, performance feedback, and disciplinary recommendations as neededConduct in-service training and ongoing education for culinary staffEnsure appropriate coverage and continuity of service at all timesBuild a bench: develop line-level talent into leadership roles Culinary Operations & Resident Experience Plan, prepare, and oversee the delivery of all meals served in the communityDevelop menus in accordance with regulatory requirements, nutritional standards, and resident preferences — you are the creative authority here, designing the program rather than executing someone else'sCreate seasonal, scratch-made, locally sourced offerings across five distinct venues, each with its own identityWork closely with the Dining Manager to oversee the development and training of front-of-house staff, ensuring service standards match the quality of the foodOwn the guest experience end to end — from plate to table, across all five venuesPerform in the exhibition kitchen; presentation and showmanship are part of the jobVisit residents regularly to understand likes, dislikes, and dietary needsSupport therapeutic and special diets in coordination with care teams and physician orders, across Independent Living, Assisted Living, and Memory CareAssist with meal preparation as needed to support service excellence Food Safety, Compliance & Sanitation Maintain compliance with ServSafe, food handling, and sanitation standardsEnsure adherence to all federal, Maryland state, and Montgomery County food service regulationsMaintain a clean, safe, and organized kitchen and dining environment — including one guests can see intoInspect food storage, supply areas, and equipment regularly Budgeting, Inventory & Purchasing Manage food, supply, and labor costs within approved budget guidelinesOrder food and supplies; maintain accurate inventories and portion controlsManage vendor and local-sourcing relationshipsPrepare annual budget requests and monitor monthly spendingImplement systems to ensure quality, consistency, and cost control across all outlets Operations, Documentation & Collaboration Maintain accurate documentation including menus, evaluations, purchase orders, and policiesParticipate in daily leadership stand-up meetings as part of the community leadership teamAssist with resident care planning and attend care conferences as applicableSupport community marketing efforts through tours, tastings, events, and special programs — prospective residents will meet youPlan and prepare food for activities, marketing events, and special occasions, including private events in The Post RoomPerform other duties as assigned by the General Manager Required Qualifications & Experience Culinary degree, certificate, or equivalent formal trainingServSafe / Food Handler's Certification required (or ability to obtain)Significant experience leading a kitchen as Executive Chef, Chef de Cuisine, or Executive Sous Chef in a quality-driven operationProven management experience with a large team — hiring, developing, and retaining talentExperience leading or partnering closely with front-of-house teamsDemonstrated menu development experience; you've built programs, not just run themKnowledge of quantity food production, nutrition, and therapeutic dietsAbility to manage budgets, inventory, and food cost controlsStrong communication, leadership, and organizational skillsAbility to work in a fast-paced environment and make sound decisions under pressurePassion for serving older adults and enhancing their daily dining experience What Sets a Candidate Apart ACF certification (CEC, CSC) or comparable credentialMulti-outlet or multi-concept experienceExperience in an operation where the chef owned both kitchen and service standardsBackground in fine dining, hotel, resort, private club, or upscale hospitalityExhibition or open-kitchen experienceGenuine hospitality instinct — you measure success by the guest experience, not just the plateHealthcare or senior living experience welcome but not required What Solera Offers You A growing company with opportunities for career advancementImmediate pay access — no more waiting for paydayTuition reimbursement to support your professional growthComprehensive medical benefits with discounted gym membershipsDental, vision, life, and disability insurance401(k) retirement planPaid holidays and paid time offEmployee Assistance Program (EAP)Perks and employee discount programsSupportive, team-oriented workplace culture Solera Senior Living is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable law. All offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of a background check.