Culinary Director/Executive Chef - Nikkei Senior Gardens

People taking care of people, that's who we are and what we do at Cogir Senior Living!

What can you expect?

Cogir Senior Living is hiring a talented, experienced, and customer-focused Director of Culinary Experience (Executive Chef) for our premier retirement community, Nikkei Senior Gardens.

Our Director of Culinary Experience (Executive Chef) is responsible for the overall dining services operations and our residents' dining experience. This includes but is not limited to procurement, preparation, and service of food, menu building, financial management of food and supplies, and labor budget; hiring, training, and management of dining services team members; inventory, control, and regulatory compliance.

Nikkei Senior Gardens, located in Arleta, celebrates Japanese-American culture by offering a blend of Japanese and American traditions, cuisine, and activities to cater to our residents' cultural needs. This makes us unique in our approach to senior living for Japanese Americans. We create everything from traditional comfort food to unique and exciting culinary options from around the globe and a seasonal menu that changes quarterly, using fresh local ingredients. We focus on cooking and baking almost everything from scratch. As the Director of Culinary Experience, you will have the opportunity to connect with and positively impact the lives of our residents daily!

What Cogir has to offer you?

• Competitive salary, training, and growth opportunities!
• An inclusive, positive work environment where everyone has a voice.
• Heath, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance.
• 401K Plan with company match.
• Paid Vacation and Holidays off.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Generous Employee Referral Bonus Program and more!

What will you do as the Director of Culinary Experience?

• Responsible for the day-to-day operations and staffing of the community kitchen and dining venues.
• Manages and supervises all culinary services staff (BOH and FOH), including scheduling, assignment, direction, performance review, hiring, and corrective action consistent with company policy.
• Menu planning and executing meal preparation and events, assisting staff with back and front-of-the-house operations as needed.
• Maintain inventory control of food, beverages, supplies, and equipment.
• Ensure that all food is prepared, stored, and served according to company standards and with state and/or local health code requirements.
• Understand and maintain monthly and annual budgets for the culinary services department, including producing written documentation of monthly food, supplies, and labor spending.
• Work with the staff and residents to plan and develop recipes and menus based on residents' preferences and monthly budgets.
• Ensure resident and family member satisfaction is maintained.
• Responsible for planning, preparing, and executing special events and theme meals.

If you have these qualifications, we'd love to chat:

• Positive team player mentality and passion for serving seniors!
• A Culinary degree is preferred, or a combination of education and experience is required.
• At least 5 years of hands-on experience in food preparation.
• Experience with Japanese cuisine is strongly preferred.
• At least 3 years of progressive management experience as an Executive Chef with an understanding of front-of-the-house operations and service.
• Serve Safe Manager (Food Handler Certification) with an understanding of kitchen sanitation and food codes.
• Experience with restaurant openings is a plus.
• Experience with special events and banquets is a plus.
• Successful history of building teams and meeting financial goals.
• Creativity and experience in menu development.
• Previous experience working in Independent Living (IL), Assisted Living (AL), Memory Care (MC), Senior Living, or hotel experience is a plus!
• Outstanding communication skills and the ability to motivate.
• Compassion for our residents and a strong passion for excellence.

About COGIR Management USA:

COGIR Management USA, headquartered in Scottsdale, manages over 90 senior living communities across 11 states and continues to grow. Every Cogir community is a unique and dynamic place, shaped by the residents themselves and led by an empowered on-site executive team. We promote local leadership, so decisions are made on-site, quickly, and in the community's best interests.

We are proud to be a nationwide senior housing leader, providing exceptional care, amenities, and a team culture where our residents and team members thrive. Our residents enjoy a meaningful lifestyle with individualized support that promotes continuous independence and quality of life. Our team identity is based on three pillars: Human Focus, Creativity, and Excellence. We offer a unique lifestyle approach to our living situation and are a company committed to continuing to improve.

Apply today and become part of the Cogir Family!