Top 31 Culinary development 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
Executive Chef
StoryPoint —Ankeny, IA
- Travel
- Organizational skills
- Senior level
Quick Apply
6d
Executive Chef
Renaissance Des Moines —Des Moines, IA
- CPR Certification
- Customer service
- Hotel
Quick Apply
Sous Chef
WellSpire, LLC —Bettendorf, IA
- Full-time
- Hospitality
- ServSafe
- Pass drug screening
- Health insurance
- Dental insurance
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Executive Chef - Hilton Des Moines Downtown
Hilton —Des Moines, IA
- Full-time
- Sanitation
- Cooking
- Hotel
- Paid parental leave
- Employee stock purchase plan
12d
Director of Culinary Services
Prairie Hills at Independence —Independence, IA
- $25 an hour
- Background check
- ServSafe
- 5 years
- Paid training
- Paid holidays
Quick Apply
13d
Executive Chef
Q Casino + Resort —Dubuque, IA
- Full-time
- 5 years
- Experience equivalent to degree accepted
- Senior level
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4d
Director of Culinary Services
Allen Place —Atlantic, IA
- $52,000 a year
- Background check
- ServSafe
- 5 years
- Paid training
- Paid holidays
Quick Apply
7d
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
Q Casino + Resort —Dubuque, IA
- Full-time
- ServSafe
- Ability to walk for extended periods
- English
Quick Apply
Kitchen Manager - IOWA CITY
Big Grove Brewery —Iowa City, IA
- Full-time
- ServSafe
- Mid-level
- High school diploma or GED
Quick Apply
EXECUTIVE CHEF - DES MOINES, IA
Compass Corporate —Des Moines, IA
- $60,000 - $68,000 a year
- Full-time
- Background check
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Outlook
- Commuter assistance
- Paid parental leave
Quick Apply
Banquet Chef
Grand Falls Casino and Golf Resort —Larchwood, IA
- Full-time
- Mid-level
- Kitchen
Quick Apply
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
Executive Sous Chef
Hyatt Regency Coralville —Coralville, IA
- From $60,000 a year
- Weekends as needed
- Bar
- ServSafe
- Ability to walk for extended periods
- Free parking
- Profit sharing
Quick Apply
Executive Sous Chef - Senior Living (Elevated Dining Program)
Thomas Cuisine —Cedar Falls, IA
- $55,000 - $60,000 a year
- Full-time
- Hospitality
- ServSafe
- Ability to walk for extended periods
- Paid parental leave
- Health savings account
Quick Apply
Culinary Director
Apple Valley Place - Clear Lake —Clear Lake, IA
- $22 an hour
- Weekends as needed
- ServSafe
- 3 years
- Recruiting
- Paid holidays
- Health insurance
Quick Apply
7d
Lead Line Cook/Sous Chef
Benola’s Pub & Patio —Baxter, IA
- $12 - $15 an hour
- 8 hour shift
- Bar
- Casual dining restaurant
- Inventory management
Quick Apply
Kitchen Director
Chick-fil-A —Cedar Rapids, IA
- $24 - $26 an hour
- Full-time
- No education required
- Quick service & fast food restaurant
- In-person
- Profit sharing
- Paid training
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

Refine Your Search

culinary development chef jobs in iowa

Culinary Director

EXECUTIVE CHEF 2- Iowa State University Greek House Chefs

Executive Chef

Executive Chef

Sous Chef

Executive Chef - Hilton Des Moines Downtown

Director of Culinary Services

Executive Chef

Director of Culinary Services

Executive Chef 2

Sous Chef

Kitchen Manager - IOWA CITY

EXECUTIVE CHEF - DES MOINES, IA

Banquet Chef

Sous Chef

Executive Sous Chef

Executive Sous Chef - Senior Living (Elevated Dining Program)

Culinary Director

Lead Line Cook/Sous Chef

Kitchen Director

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