Sous Chef – Senior Living Culinary Team
Location: San Diego, CA 92127
Job Type: Full-Time
Facility: Villa Lorena Senior Living
About Us
At Villa Lorena Senior Living, we believe that food is more than just fuel—it’s a path to healing, connection, and joy. Our community-centered culinary team prepares meals with care, creativity, and nutritional purposes to support the health and happiness of our residents.
Our culinary program embraces a Food is Medicine philosophy, with an emphasis on nutritious, flavorful, whole-food ingredients and meals thoughtfully prepared to meet the unique needs of seniors. Join a mission-driven organization where your work matters.
Position Overview
We are seeking an experienced, dependable, and passionate Sous Chef to support our Executive Chef in leading daily culinary operations and delivering exceptional dining experiences for our residents.
The Sous Chef is a hands-on culinary leader who will assist with food production, meal service, staff supervision, kitchen organization, food safety, inventory, and special events. This position serves as an important link between the Executive Chef and the culinary team, helping ensure that menus and meals are prepared consistently, safely, and to the highest standards.
The ideal candidate is an experienced cook who enjoys working with a team, has strong organizational skills, and takes pride in preparing nutritious, high-quality meals for seniors.
Key Responsibilities
Culinary Operations & Food Production
- Assist the Executive Chef with the daily operation of the kitchen and dining services program.
- Prepare and cook high-quality meals according to established menus, recipes, production sheets, and dietary requirements.
- Ensure meals are flavorful, nutritious, attractive, properly portioned, and served on schedule.
- Prepare meals accommodating resident dietary needs, including heart healthy, low-sodium, diabetic-friendly, sugar-free, dementia friendly, and other modified diets.
- Assist with daily food preparation, including salads, vegetables, soups, sauces, baked goods, desserts, and full meal production.
- Step into line-cook responsibilities as needed to maintain smooth kitchen operations.
- Plate meals attractively and efficiently for dining room and room service.
- Maintain consistency in food quality, portion sizes, presentation, and nutritional integrity.
Leadership & Team Support
- Assist the Executive Chef with supervising, training, and mentoring cooks and other kitchen staff.
- Provide directions to culinary team members during preparation and meal service.
- Help organize daily prep assignments and ensure production is completed on time.
- Lead by example by maintaining a professional, respectful, positive, and team-oriented kitchen environment.
- Assist with training staff on recipes, food preparation, sanitation, safety, and kitchen procedures.
- Communicate staffing, production, resident, and operational concerns to the Executive Chef.
- Support the Executive Chef in maintaining high standards of culinary excellence and resident satisfaction.
Resident Dining & Hospitality
- Help create a dining experience that provides residents with comfort, dignity, nutrition, and enjoyment.
- Be attentive to resident preferences, dietary needs, allergies, and special requests.
- Communicate professionally with residents and respond appropriately to dining-related feedback.
- Assist with room service and personalized meal requests.
- Support themed dinners, holiday meals, catered events, community functions, and other special dining experiences.
- Work collaboratively with dining services, dietary, nursing, activities, and other departments.
Food Safety & Sanitation
- Maintain a clean, organized, and sanitary kitchen and food storage areas.
- Follow Title 22, local health department requirements, and all applicable food safety regulations.
- Follow proper food handling, temperature control, labeling, dating, storage, and sanitation procedures.
- Prevent cross-contamination and properly accommodate food allergies and dietary restrictions.
- Maintain proper cleaning and sanitation of workstations, equipment, refrigerators, freezers, and storage areas.
- Operate kitchen equipment safely and report maintenance or safety concerns promptly.
- Assist with ensuring the kitchen is always inspection ready.
Inventory & Kitchen Organization
- Assist the Executive Chef with receiving, inspecting, and properly storing food deliveries.
- Maintain organized food storage using proper FIFO rotation procedures.
- Monitor inventory levels and communicate ordering needs to the Executive Chef.
- Help minimize food waste through proper preparation, portion control, and product utilization.
- Inspect food products for quality, freshness, and proper storage.
- Assist with maintaining accurate food-production and inventory records.
Events & Community Engagement
- Assist with planning and executing holiday meals, themed dinners, catered events, and community functions.
- Support culinary programming that promotes resident engagement and wellness.
- Assist with special events and emergency food service needs as required.
- Help maintain a welcoming and professional culinary presence within the Villa Lorena community.
Qualifications
Education & Experience
- High school diploma or GED required.
- Culinary degree, certificate, or formal culinary training preferred.
- Minimum 3 years of professional culinary experience, preferably in senior living, healthcare, hospitality, hotel, restaurant, or high-volume food service.
- Previous experience as a Sous Chef, Lead Cook, Chef de Partie, or equivalent culinary leadership position preferred.
- Experience preparing meals for seniors or individuals with special dietary needs is strongly preferred.
- Knowledge of modified and therapeutic diets is a plus.
Skills & Abilities
- Strong understanding of food preparation, food safety, sanitation, nutrition, and portion control.
- Ability to read and follow recipes, menus, production sheets, and dietary instructions.
- Strong culinary skills with attention to flavor, presentation, consistency, and timing.
- Excellent communication and teamwork skills.
- Respectful, patient, and empathetic approach when working with seniors.
- Dependable, organized, detail-oriented, and able to manage multiple priorities.
- Ability to lead and motivate kitchen staff while maintaining a positive team environment.
- Ability to remain calm and effective during busy meal periods.
- Positive attitude and willingness to learn and contribute to continuous improvement.
- Basic computer skills; Microsoft Office experience is a plus.
Certifications & Requirements
- Food Handler or SERV Safe Certification required.
- First Aid Certification – required; training may be provided by employer.
- Successful completion of required health screening, TB clearance, and criminal background check required.
- Ability to lift and/or push up to 25 lbs.
- Ability to stand, walk, bend, reach, and work for extended periods.
- Ability to work in hot kitchen environments, cold storage areas, and standard commercial kitchen conditions.
- Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, holidays, and schedule adjustments as needed.
- May be required to assist during emergencies or other operational needs.
Why Join Villa Lorena?
- Make a meaningful impact on the lives of seniors every day.
- Be part of a supportive, mission-driven culinary team.
- Work alongside an experienced Executive Chef with opportunities to develop your leadership skills.
- Help advance a Food is Medicine approach to senior dining.
- Enjoy a creative culinary environment featuring themed dinners, special events, and community engagement.
- Develop your skills in nutrition-focused and senior-centered culinary service.
- Competitive salary and benefits package.
- Opportunities for professional growth and advancement.
Apply Now
Join Villa Lorena Senior Living and help us reimagine senior dining through food, care, and connection.
If you are a passionate culinary professional who takes pride in excellent food, teamwork, and service—and you are ready to take the next step in your culinary career—we would love to hear from you.
Please submit your resume and cover letter detailing your qualifications to:
Denise Nguyen, Business Office Director
Email: [email protected]
Villa Lorena Senior Living
14740 Via Fiesta
San Diego, CA 92127
Villa Lorena Senior Living is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to promoting diversity and inclusion in our workforce and encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply.
Apply Now
Join us in reimagining senior dining through food, care, and connection. If you are passionate about providing excellent culinary experiences for seniors and want to be part of a caring, dynamic team, please submit your resume and a cover letter detailing your qualifications to:
Job Type: Full-time
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Schedule:
- Day shift
- Evening Shift
- Weekends as needed/rotating
Work Location: In person
Pay: $60,000.00 - $75,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
