Top 91 Chef Jobs in Iowa

Culinary Director
Apple Valley Place - Charles City —Charles City, IA
- $18 an hour
- Weekends as needed
- ServSafe
- 3 years
- Recruiting
- Paid holidays
- Health insurance
Quick Apply
EXECUTIVE CHEF 2- Iowa State University Greek House Chefs
GREEK HOUSE CHEFS INC —Ames, IA
- $23 - $30 an hour
- Full-time
- ServSafe
- English
- Ability to lift 50 pounds
Quick Apply
Chef - Collins Aerospace Coralville
Aramark —Coralville, IA
- Basic math
- In-person
- Communication skills
Executive Chef
Renaissance Des Moines —Des Moines, IA
- CPR Certification
- Customer service
- Hotel
Quick Apply
Sous Chef PT
ISS —Council Blfs, IA
- $36.25 an hour
- Weekends only
- Mid-level
- Team management
- Café
Quick Apply
4d
Executive Chef - Hilton Des Moines Downtown
Hilton —Des Moines, IA
- Full-time
- Sanitation
- Cooking
- Hotel
- Paid parental leave
- Employee stock purchase plan
9d
Executive Chef
Q Casino + Resort —Dubuque, IA
- Full-time
- 5 years
- Experience equivalent to degree accepted
- Senior level
Quick Apply
1d
Sous Chef
ISS —Cedar Rapids, IA
- $31.72 an hour
- Monday to Friday
- Mid-level
- Team management
- Café
Quick Apply
Executive Chef 2
Sodexo —Storm Lake, IA
- $64,600 - $83,600 a year
- Full-time
- University
- Experience equivalent to degree accepted
- Senior level
- Paid holidays
- Relocation assistance
Sous Chef
Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar —West Des Moines, IA
- Overtime
- Computer literacy
- Mid-level
- Supervising experience
- Dental insurance
- 401(k)
Quick Apply
Sous Chef
Diamond Jo Worth Casino —Northwood, IA
- Full-time
- Ability to walk for extended periods
- Cooking
- Mid-level
Quick Apply
Executive Chef
Creative Dining Services —Sioux Center, IA
- $75,000 - $80,000 a year
- ServSafe
- 5 years
- University
- Health insurance
- Dental insurance
Sous Chef
WellSpire, LLC —Bettendorf, IA
- Full-time
- Hospitality
- ServSafe
- Pass drug screening
- Health insurance
- Dental insurance
Quick Apply
Executive Sous Chef
Diamond Jo Worth Casino —Northwood, IA
- Full-time
- Ability to walk for extended periods
- High school diploma or GED
- Senior level
Quick Apply
Chef
Courtyard by Marriott Ames —Ames, IA
- Part-time
- Entry level
- Kitchen
Kitchen & Culinary Operations Manager
Paws & Pints —Des Moines, IA
- $60,000 - $80,000 a year
- Full-time
- Background check
- Bar
- Sales
- Health insurance
- Dental insurance
Quick Apply
9h
Executive Chef
AC Marriott —Cedar Rapids, IA
- $65,000 - $70,000 a year
- Full-time
- Basic math
- English
- Hotel
- Paid training
- Dental insurance
Quick Apply
Executive Chef
StoryPoint —Ankeny, IA
- Travel
- Organizational skills
- Senior level
Quick Apply
3d
Sous Chef
Hotel Fort Des Moines, Curio Collection by Hilton —Des Moines, IA
- $50,000 - $65,000 a year
- Full-time
- Microsoft Word
- Ability to walk for extended periods
- English
- Paid holidays
- 401(k)
Quick Apply
14d
EXECUTIVE CHEF - WEST DES MOINES
Eurest —West Des Moines, IA
- $65,000 - $70,000 a year
- Full-time
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Outlook
- ServSafe
- Commuter assistance
- Paid parental leave
Quick Apply

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Culinary Director

Apple Valley Place - Charles City -
Charles City, IA

Quick Apply

Job Details

Full-time
$18 an hour

Benefits

Paid holidays
Health insurance
Dental insurance
Paid time off
Employee assistance program
Vision insurance
401(k) matching

Qualifications

Food and beverage product quality management
Operational cost reduction
Menu design
Kitchen health and safety standards
Assisting with meal planning
Team member evaluation
Resident conversation engagement
Food preparation for special diets
Operations management
Food service health code compliance
ServSafe
Team leadership
Operational management
Safety regulations
Coaching
Regulatory compliance
Food portioning
Performance feedback (performance evaluation method)
Managing catering events
State healthcare regulations
3 years
Food allergen management
Team development
Hiring
Schedule management
Working with individuals with specific dietary needs
Quality control management
Professional development support
Kitchen cost control
Inventory tracking for food cost management

Full Job Description

At Better Living, we believe every stage of life should be filled with purpose, dignity, and joy.

We’re not just a senior living management company—we’re a team driven by compassion, grounded in hospitality, and committed to doing what’s right for residents, families, and staff. Our communities are built on meaningful connections, personalized support, and everyday moments that matter.

This is senior living, only better.

Benefits:

Compensation:
Health, dental, and vision insurance
Paid time off and holidays
401 (K) matching
Professional development opportunities
Employee assistance programs

Position Summary

The Culinary Director at Better Living is a strategic leader responsible for delivering an exceptional dining experience that reflects our 'Expect Better' brand promise. This role goes beyond food production — it is about creating meaningful moments, supporting resident independence, leading with heart, and contributing to occupancy growth through hospitality excellence.

The Culinary Director leads all dining operations including menu development, food safety compliance, budget management, team leadership, and resident engagement — while supporting Better Living’s Resident-Led Initiative philosophy and Better Days Memory Care program.

At Better Living, dining is not a department. It is an experience.

Resident Experience & Hospitality Leadership

Create a restaurant-style dining experience aligned with Better Living standards.
Build meaningful relationships with residents and families.
Implement Resident-Led Initiatives including menu input sessions, culinary committees, themed dining events, and resident recipe spotlights.
Ensure individualized accommodations for preferences, allergies, therapeutic diets, and cultural needs.
Partner with Life Enrichment to integrate food into purposeful programming.
Support tour experiences and marketing events to drive occupancy.

Culinary Operations

Develop and execute seasonal menus in partnership with approved vendors.
Maintain consistency in presentation, portioning, and quality standards.
Ensure therapeutic diets are implemented accurately in collaboration with nursing and care teams.
Maintain inventory control systems and cost tracking.
Oversee kitchen production schedules and staffing coverage.
Lead catering for internal events, marketing functions, and family nights.

Regulatory Compliance

Ensure full compliance with state assisted living regulations and local health department requirements.
Maintain ServSafe certification (or state equivalent).
Ensure proper documentation of temperature logs, cleaning schedules, food storage compliance, and diet modifications.
Participate in state surveys and respond promptly to any deficiencies.

Financial Accountability

Manage food and kitchen labor budget.
Maintain target food cost percentages.
Monitor waste and implement waste reduction strategies.
Participate in monthly budget review with Executive Director.
Contribute to NOI improvement through operational efficiency.

Team Leadership

Recruit, hire, onboard, and train culinary staff.
Promote a culture of accountability and heart-first leadership.
Conduct performance reviews and coaching conversations.
Maintain staffing levels aligned with occupancy and census.
Support cross-department collaboration.

Sales & Occupancy Support

Participate in tours when appropriate.
Partner with Sales Director and Executive Director for special events.
Ensure dining experience supports closing confidence.
Provide sample menus and culinary storytelling for marketing use.

Qualifications

3+ years culinary leadership experience (senior living, hospitality, healthcare, or restaurant preferred).
Experience managing kitchen staff and food budgets.
Knowledge of therapeutic diets preferred.
ServSafe Certified (or ability to obtain).
Strong leadership and communication skills.
Ability to work flexible hours including occasional evenings/weekends for events.

Core Competencies

Hospitality mindset
Emotional intelligence
Operational discipline
Financial acumen
Resident-centered service
Regulatory awareness
Team development

Physical Requirements

Ability to stand for extended periods.
Ability to lift up to 40 lbs.
Exposure to kitchen heat and cleaning chemicals.

We are an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.

Quick Apply

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