Executive Chef

About the role

Vista del Monte is seeking an experienced Executive Chef to lead our culinary team. The ideal candidate will oversee all food production, manage staff, and ensure high-quality service and compliance with health codes.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day operations and staffing of kitchen and dining venues
• Manage and supervise culinary services staff, including scheduling, assignments, performance evaluations, hiring, and corrective actions
• Plan and execute all menus, meal preparation, and events
• Maintain inventory control of food, beverages, supplies, and equipment
• Ensure all food is prepared, stored, and served in accordance with company standards and health code requirements
• Understand and manage monthly and annual budgets for the culinary services department
• Collaborate with staff and residents to plan and develop recipes and menus tailored to residents' preferences and monthly budgets
• Ensure resident and family member satisfaction is maintained
• Plan, prepare, and execute special events and themed meals
• Maintain the highest standards of cleanliness by adhering to federal, state, and local health codes and guidelines
• Establish and maintain a regular cleaning and maintenance schedule for all kitchen areas and equipment
• Perform all other related duties as assigned

Essential Functions

• Responsible for the day-to-day operations and staffing of the community's kitchen and dining venues
• Manage and supervise all culinary services staff, including scheduling, assignments, performance evaluations, hiring, and corrective actions, consistent with company policy
• Plan and execute all menus, meal preparation, and events, while assisting staff with both back-of-house and front-of-house operations as needed
• Maintain inventory control of food, beverages, supplies, and equipment
• Ensure that all food is prepared, stored, and served in accordance with company standards and state and/or local health code requirements
• Understand and maintain monthly and annual budgets for the culinary services department, including preparing appropriate written documentation of monthly food, supplies, and labor spending
• Collaborate with staff and residents to plan and develop recipes and menus tailored to residents' preferences and monthly budgets
• Ensure resident and family member satisfaction is maintained
• Plan, prepare, and execute special events and themed meals
• Maintain the highest standards of cleanliness by adhering to federal, state, and local health codes and guidelines during the preparation, handling, and serving of food
• Establish and maintain a regular cleaning and maintenance schedule for all kitchen areas and equipment to ensure optimal hygiene and functionality
• Perform all other related duties as assigned

Communication/Interpersonal

• Practical oral and written communication skills appropriate to the audience's needs
• Ability to develop and deliver effective presentations live via online or virtual mediums
• Excellent collaboration and team-building skills
• Practical conflict management skills
• Ability to effectively build relationships with customers, executive management, and other stakeholders through positive interaction, problem identification, and resolution

Decision Making/Organization Skills

• Demonstrates a high level of accuracy, even under pressure
• Excellent organizational skills
• Ability to perform work independently with minimal supervision
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and make decisions based on accurate and timely analysis
• Demonstrated time management and priority-setting skills
• Ability to simultaneously handle multiple priorities
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
• Ability to prioritize responsibilities and organize workload to ensure that timeframes are met and the work is completed within deadlines
• Demonstrated ability to define, develop, and analyze performance measures and metrics
• Exercise sound judgment and make decisions based on accurate and timely analysis

Productivity

• Demonstrated time management and priority-setting skills
• Ability to simultaneously handle multiple priorities
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
• Ability to prioritize responsibilities and organize workload to ensure that timeframes are met and the work is completed within deadlines

Project Management

• Demonstrated project management skills
• Demonstrated planning and project oversight/management skills
• Demonstrated skills in project plan design and implementation, directing projects, coordinating the work of operational teams, and managing project budgets
• Effectively manages project deadlines and escalates issues as appropriate

Education

• Essential/Preferred Type Specialization Essential Equivalent Experience instead of Education Bachelor’s Degree Culinary Arts, Hospitality, or Business Preferred Master’s Degree Culinary Arts, Food Service Management, Hospitality Management, or similar Experience: Essential 7 years Food service experience as a cook Lead cook/ chef with knowledge of food safety, sanitation, proper storage, and handling procedures. Preferred 10 years Certification: Essential Certification California Food Handler Preferred Certification California Food Handler Manager (e.g., ServSafe Manager)

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to remain stationary 20% of the time
• Must be able to lift or carry items: Seldom: 51-100 pounds Occasionally: 51-100 pounds Frequently: 26-50 pounds Constantly: 11-25 pounds
• Must occasionally ascend or descend stairs to provide essential services
• Must effectively communicate information and ideas so that others clearly understand the exchanged information

Compensation Disclaimer

The actual compensation offered will depend on a wide range of factors including, but not limited to, the selected candidate’s knowledge, skills, experience, training, education, and licensure/certifications (as applicable).

We Support Diversity

Vista del Monte is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We support all aspects of diversity and provide equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, marital status, national origin, age, sexual orientation, disability or status as a veteran in accordance with the applicable nondiscrimination laws.