Chef

Chef | Elevate Every Meal. Lead with Care.

Great dining is an important part of creating a senior living community that truly feels like home. As an experienced Chef, you'll combine your culinary expertise with leadership and a passion for service to create meals residents genuinely look forward to.

In this role, you'll take greater ownership of daily kitchen operations, support and guide culinary associates, assist with menu development, and ensure every meal meets our standards for quality, presentation, nutrition, and food safety. If you're ready to grow your culinary career while making a meaningful difference in the lives of residents, we'd love to have you on our team.

What's in it for you- Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive Pay - hourly.
• The starting rate is based on experience and qualifications. This position participates in our compensation program, which provides opportunities for future pay growth based on performance and career development.
• 401(k) with a dollar-for-dollar company match up to 4%
• Hotel discounts at select Western States Lodging & Management properties

Eligible full-time associates are entitled to the following:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance plans plus Health Savings Account (HSA) options
• Optional supplemental benefits, including accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity, and other coverage options.
• Personal Time Off (PTO) and Vacation benefits

What You'll Do

• Prepare high-quality meals using standardized recipes while consistently meeting expectations for taste, appearance, portioning, temperature, and presentation.
• Take greater ownership of food preparation and daily kitchen responsibilities with increased efficiency and independence.
• Assist culinary leadership with menu planning and development, including creating new dishes, specials, and resident-focused menu options.
• Help ensure menus provide variety while supporting resident preferences, nutritional requirements, and special dietary needs.
• Prepare and oversee the preparation of meals, including modified or special diets as directed.
• Monitor food throughout production and service to ensure consistency, quality, appearance, flavor, and proper temperatures.
• Coordinate food production during meal periods to ensure meals are prepared accurately and served according to established schedules.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and sanitary kitchen while ensuring established food safety and sanitation practices are consistently followed.
• Follow all applicable food handling, infection control, safety, and loss-prevention procedures.

What Makes You Successful

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Completion of a formal culinary arts program from a recognized culinary school is preferred.
• 3–5 years of professional kitchen or culinary experience.
• At least 1–2 years of experience providing culinary leadership, supervision, training, or team guidance preferred.
• Senior living, healthcare, hospitality, restaurant, or other high-volume food-service experience is a plus.
• Current Food Handler's Permit as required.
• Advanced culinary skills with knowledge of a variety of cooking techniques, cuisines, ingredients, and food preparation methods.
• Strong understanding of food safety regulations, sanitation practices, temperature controls, and proper food handling procedures.
• Strong attention to food quality, consistency, presentation, and resident satisfaction.
• Positive and professional communication skills when interacting with residents, families, guests, supervisors, and fellow associates.
• Ability to safely lift and handle up to 30 pounds and frequently stand, bend, stoop, and reach.
• Availability to work weekends and holidays as needed.

You Know You're Successful When…

Residents consistently enjoy meals that are flavorful, attractive, thoughtfully prepared, and served on time. The kitchen operates smoothly during busy meal periods, culinary associates have the guidance and support they need to succeed, and food quality and safety standards are maintained every day. You help control costs and reduce waste without compromising the resident experience, contribute creative ideas to menus and meal preparation, and create a positive kitchen culture centered around teamwork, consistency, and exceptional service.

Why Join Western States Lodging & Management?

Western States Lodging & Management is a leading property management company with a diverse portfolio that includes nationally recognized hotel brands such as Hilton, Marriott, and IHG, Legacy Senior Living communities, and Nxt multifamily apartment communities throughout the western United States.

Our mission is simple: Serving You Like Family. That commitment extends beyond our guests and residents—it defines how we treat our associates and business partners. We believe that great people build great communities, which is why we invest in our team through meaningful work, ongoing professional development, and opportunities for long-term career growth. At Western States Lodging & Management, we encourage every team member to serve as an Ambassador of our values, a trusted Consultant who brings knowledge and solutions, a Collaborator who builds strong relationships through teamwork, and a Coach who is passionate and empowers others to learn, grow, and succeed.

Whether you're launching your career or bringing years of experience, you'll find a workplace where your contributions are valued, your ideas are welcomed, and your potential is supported every step of the way.

Apply today and discover why thousands of associates have chosen Western States as the place to build a meaningful career.