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