Executive Chef

Luther Village Owners Corporation•Arlington Heights, IL

1h•$85,000 - $100,000

About The Position

Luther Village is a beautiful 55-acre independent senior living community located in Arlington Heights, IL. We are currently seeking an Executive Chef with a passion for cooking and delivering exceptional dining experiences. This is an exciting opportunity to lead a talented culinary team. The ideal candidate will bring strong financial acumen, experience in training and team development, and a focus on food quality and presentation. The Executive Chef is responsible for leading all culinary operations in a senior living community, ensuring high-quality, nutritious, and appealing meals that meet residents' dietary, health, and lifestyle needs. This role combines culinary excellence, regulatory compliance, team leadership, and hospitality-driven service.

Requirements

Culinary degree or equivalent professional experience preferred
5+ years of progressive culinary leadership experience
Prior experience in healthcare, senior living, or high-volume food service preferred
Current food safety certification (SERV Safe or equivalent)
Excellent leadership and communication skills
Strong organizational and time-management abilities
Budgeting and cost-control expertise
Passion for hospitality and senior care
Ability to work flexible hours, including weekends and holidays

Responsibilities

Design and execute seasonal, resident-focused menus that balance nutrition, flavor, and presentation
Ensure consistency, quality, and portion control across all meal services
Oversee food preparation, cooking, plating, and service standards
Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations (e.g., health department, sanitation, food safety)
Maintain accurate production records, recipes, and nutritional documentation
Uphold food safety standards, including HACCP, ServSafe, and infection control practices
Recruit, train, schedule, and supervise kitchen staff
Foster a positive, respectful, and service-oriented work environment
Conduct performance evaluations and coaching
Enforce workplace safety and labor standards
Manage food and labor budgets to meet financial goals
Oversee inventory, ordering, vendor relationships, and cost controls
Minimize waste while maintaining quality and resident satisfaction
Participate in audits and inspections
Engage with residents to gather feedback and enhance dining satisfaction
Support special events, holiday meals, and community functions
Collaborate with dining room management to deliver a warm, restaurant-style experience
Oversee food purchasing, preparation, presentation, and storage within budget
Supervise food production and utility staff to ensure efficiency and quality
Maintain core menus, recipe management system, and BOH computer systems
Ensure kitchen and equipment sanitation; conduct monthly internal audits
Comply with all federal and state food safety regulations (Health Dept./HACCP)
Partner with the Restaurant Manager to address and resolve food service issues
Ensure consistent food quality and appealing presentation
Build and maintain relationships with residents through dining room visits and meetings