Executive Chef

Luther Village is a beautiful 55-acre independent senior living community located in Arlington Heights, IL. We are currently seeking an Executive Chef with a passion for cooking and delivering exceptional dining experiences. This is an exciting opportunity to lead a talented culinary team. The ideal candidate will bring strong financial acumen, experience in training and team development, and a focus on food quality and presentation. The Executive Chef is responsible for leading all culinary operations in a senior living community, ensuring high-quality, nutritious, and appealing meals that meet residents' dietary, health, and lifestyle needs. This role combines culinary excellence, regulatory compliance, team leadership, and hospitality-driven service. Key Responsibilities: Culinary & Menu Management Design and execute seasonal, resident-focused menus that balance nutrition, flavor, and presentation Ensure consistency, quality, and portion control across all meal services Oversee food preparation, cooking, plating, and service standards Compliance Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations (e.g., health department, sanitation, food safety) Maintain accurate production records, recipes, and nutritional documentation Uphold food safety standards, including HACCP, ServSafe, and infection control practices Leadership & Staff Development Recruit, train, schedule, and supervise kitchen staff Foster a positive, respectful, and service-oriented work environment Conduct performance evaluations and coaching Enforce workplace safety and labor standards Operations & Financial Management Manage food and labor budgets to meet financial goals Oversee inventory, ordering, vendor relationships, and cost controls Minimize waste while maintaining quality and resident satisfaction Participate in audits and inspections Resident Experience & Hospitality Engage with residents to gather feedback and enhance dining satisfaction Support special events, holiday meals, and community functions Collaborate with dining room management to deliver a warm, restaurant-style experience Qualifications Required Culinary degree or equivalent professional experience preferred 5+ years of progressive culinary leadership experience Prior experience in healthcare, senior living, or high-volume food service preferred Current food safety certification (SERV Safe or equivalent) Skills & Competencies Excellent leadership and communication skills Strong organizational and time-management abilities Budgeting and cost-control expertise Passion for hospitality and senior care Ability to work flexible hours, including weekends and holidays What we offer Enjoy great schedules with no late nights, early closures on holidays, and weekends. Medical, dental, vision, accident, identity theft, pet insurance, and company-paid life, STD, and LTD PTO plus vacation 401k with a company 4% match How will you make an impact Oversee food purchasing, preparation, presentation, and storage within budget Supervise food production and utility staff to ensure efficiency and quality Maintain core menus, recipe management system, and BOH computer systems Ensure kitchen and equipment sanitation; conduct monthly internal audits Comply with all federal and state food safety regulations (Health Dept./HACCP) Partner with the Restaurant Manager to address and resolve food service issues Ensure consistent food quality and appealing presentation Build and maintain relationships with residents through dining room visits and meetings Benefits: 401(k) 401(k) matching Dental insurance Food provided Health insurance Paid time off Referral program Vision insurance #J-18808-Ljbffr