Culinary Specialist (Senior Living)

Integral Senior Living•Carlsbad, CA

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

Integral Senior Living (ISL) is seeking a Culinary Specialist to support its senior living communities. This corporate role assists community Directors of Culinary Services (DCS) or fills in when the position is vacant. The Culinary Specialist is responsible for the overall operation of a Community’s Culinary Services Department, ensuring it meets or exceeds hospitality and service standards. This role may also be involved in recruiting and training Culinary Directors and may be assigned to corporate projects.

Requirements

Associate’s degree in Culinary Arts strongly preferred
Five (5) year management experience in a food service environment
Must have successfully completed food safety training
Up to 90% Travel is required

Responsibilities

Assists the Executive Director with recruiting and training of Directors of Culinary Services, including interviewing candidates and assessing suitability.
Develops and implements food services policies, procedures, and job descriptions.
Assists Corporate Team with projects and initiatives as assigned.
Plans menus and menu cycles considering cultural and regional food preferences, and resident dietary guidelines.
Adjusts recipes for appropriate yield and portion sizes, especially for proteins.
Monitors food quality and consistency, including temperatures, portion control, palatability, and attractiveness, implementing changes as needed.
Ensures compliance with resident dietary restrictions.
Observes food preparation, portioning, and garnishing to ensure adherence to prescribed methods and portion sizes.
Provides instructions to cooking staff on cooking techniques.
Cooks and carves meats and prepares dishes.
Interacts with residents during mealtimes to gauge satisfaction or address complaints.
Orders food and chemical supplies for the kitchen; receives and validates deliveries against order forms.
Establishes and maintains an accurate system for tracking meals served.
Conducts monthly food item inventories, with quarterly submission to the controller.
Conducts regular Quality Assurance Audits.
Practices safe and sanitary food handling.
Practices all safety and loss prevention procedures.
Attends “Food Forum” meetings.
Negotiates and signs food service agreements with vendors.
Monitors and corrects safety and sanitation procedures in the kitchen.
Standardizes recipes and tests new products in meal service.
Selects, schedules, and conducts orientation and in-service educational programs for personnel.
Attends education and training sessions to improve knowledge and skills.
Develops food services budgets and monitors adherence, initiating corrective action for cost deviations.
Monitors monthly expenditures, providing explanations for significant variances.
Assists other departments to ensure an organized and uniform system of services to residents.
Evaluates and recommends equipment purchases according to established procedures.
Prepares departmental objectives based on financial analysis, maintains work records and schedules, prepares department budgets, requisitions supplies, monitors inventory, and establishes controls.
Performs other duties as assigned by the Supervisor.
Provides guidance to community Executive Directors and Directors of Culinary Service to assure consistently high-quality service.
Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with organization policies and applicable laws.
Provides feedback to Executive Directors on culinary operations, team effectiveness, regulatory compliance, and equipment assessments.
Provides training and guidance for community culinary resources as directed.