Executive Chef - Full-Time

Executive Chef | Full-Time | An Exciting Opportunity at Ginger Cove!

Are you a creative culinary leader who takes pride in creating exceptional food and memorable dining experiences?

Ginger Cove is a premier life-care retirement community in Annapolis dedicated to providing exceptional quality, comfort, and care to our residents. Our vibrant community nurtures every aspect of our residents' well-being, and dining plays an important role in that experience.

We are currently seeking a Full-Time Executive Chef to lead our culinary team and oversee the daily operations of our kitchen.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced culinary professional who enjoys developing menus, mentoring a team, creating innovative dishes, and delivering high-quality dining experiences in a community where residents are at the heart of everything we do.

What We Offer:

- Full-Time leadership opportunity

- Opportunity to bring creativity and new ideas to our culinary program

- Ability to develop seasonal menus, daily specials, and special event offerings

- Collaborative environment focused on resident satisfaction and quality

- Opportunity to lead, mentor, and develop a culinary team

- Beautiful waterfront campus in Annapolis

- Meaningful opportunity to positively impact our residents' daily dining experience

- Stable, established life-care retirement community

What You'll Do:

As the Executive Chef, you'll provide culinary leadership for Ginger Cove's kitchen operations while creating high-quality, appealing, and innovative dining experiences for our residents, guests, and community.

- Lead the daily operations of the kitchen and provide direction, support, and leadership to culinary staff.

- Plan and execute seasonal menus, special events, theme days, holiday buffets, and daily lunch and dinner specials.

- Create and develop new recipes and menu items that bring variety and creativity to the dining experience.

- Standardize recipes and production methods to ensure consistency, quality, presentation, and portion control.

- Encourage culinary creativity while balancing resident preferences, nutritional needs, food quality, and operational requirements.

- Organize daily work assignments and ensure the culinary team is prepared for successful meal service.

- Work alongside the culinary team during service and provide hands-on support when needed.

- Train, coach, and develop culinary staff on recipes, cooking techniques, equipment, food preparation, and service standards.

- Foster a positive kitchen culture centered on teamwork, professionalism, accountability, and pride in the work we do.

- Build strong relationships with residents, employees, and guests and use feedback to continually enhance the dining experience.

- Monitor food quality, presentation, production, waste, and inventory to support efficient kitchen operations.

- Develop and manage food and labor budgets while identifying opportunities to control costs without compromising quality.

- Monitor ordering and delivery of food, supplies, and equipment to ensure the kitchen is properly stocked.

- Maintain high standards of cleanliness, sanitation, food safety, and kitchen organization in accordance with applicable health department requirements.

- Oversee the proper maintenance, use, and repair of kitchen equipment.

- Conduct regular team meetings and participate in ongoing culinary education and staff development.

- Participate in interviewing, onboarding, performance management, and annual performance reviews for culinary team members.

- Maintain appropriate operational and statistical records as required.

- Collaborate with the Director of Food & Beverage Services and other departments to identify opportunities for improvement and enhance the overall resident experience.

- Support culinary operations in the Health Center and throughout the community as needed.

- Participate in quality improvement initiatives and support Ginger Cove's QAPI program.

- Maintain compliance with all applicable local, state, and federal regulations, as well as Ginger Cove policies and procedures.

- Complete required compliance and HIPAA training and maintain confidentiality and privacy in accordance with organizational standards.

- Perform other duties as assigned.

Why Ginger Cove?

At Ginger Cove, food is more than a meal—it's an important part of our residents' daily experience, connection, and quality of life.

As our Executive Chef, you'll have the opportunity to shape our culinary program, bring new ideas to the table, develop your team, and create dining experiences that residents look forward to every day.

If you're a passionate culinary leader who combines creativity with strong leadership and takes pride in delivering exceptional food and service, we'd love to hear from you!

Qualifications

Job Qualifications:

- Bachelors degree in culinary arts or related field preferred.

- Prior experience in related food and beverage service and food preparation services.

- Progressive experience in supervisory duties related to food services.

- Good working knowledge of sanitation and safety guidelines

- Experience in long-term care setting or related health care field preferred.

- Ability to organize, supervise, delegate and provide leadership.

- Excellent organizational, interpersonal, and communications skills.

- Must present self in a professional manner.

- Most possess concern, responsiveness, and tact when dealing with others.

- Must be able to work collaboratively with others to help colleagues to achieve respective goals for creating wellness opportunities and experiences for our residents.

- Must have completed or be willing to complete educational requirements imposed by State regulations within the specified time frame.

Benefits & Perks:

At Ginger Cove, we value our team and offer a strong benefits package:

- Medical, dental, and vision insurance - Full-Time Only

- Retirement plan with employer match

- Paid time off (accrual-based)

- Tuition assistance & scholarship programs

- Employee referral bonus program

- Employee discount program

- Employee leadership development

- Annual employee appreciation bonus

- Employee recognition programs

- Additional voluntary (ancillary) benefits

Ginger Cove is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other classification protected by applicable law. Ginger Cove will not tolerate harassment or discrimination based on any of these protected classifications.