Executive Chef

Denver, CO, USA|Onsite

Job Overview

Employment Type

Temporary

Full-time

Part-time

Hourly

Compensation

Salary

Range $71,620.00 - $91,240.00

Work Schedule

Standard Hours

Weekend Shifts

Night Shifts

Benefits

Medical insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

401(k)

Associate assistance program

Employee Discounts

Referral program

Paid Time Off

Paid holidays

Life insurance

Adoption benefit

Disability insurance

flexible spending accounts

Health savings account

Tuition Reimbursement

Job Description

Brookdale Senior Living is a nationwide leader in senior living communities, dedicated to providing gracious hospitality, neighborliness, and an inviting home-like atmosphere to residents and their families. With nearly 600 locations across the country as of 2025, Brookdale offers a vibrant community where seniors can thrive through engaging events and personalized care. The company prides itself on its industry leadership in clinical care and its commitment to creating meaningful connections among residents through group activities and one-on-one interactions. Extensive corporate resources, including a comprehensive training program, support employees in their professional growth and development.

This role is ideal for culinary professionals who are passionate about creativity in cooking but prefer a work-life balance that avoids late nights and hectic weekends. As a Chef at Brookdale, you will lead a team focused on delivering high-quality meals crafted from thousands of available recipes — with the freedom to develop and add your own. Quality and resident satisfaction are paramount; listening to resident preferences helps shape the evolving menus. This position requires strong leadership to maintain sanitation and food safety standards while ensuring meals are nutritious, enjoyable, and align with dietary needs. Beyond culinary skills, you will play a critical role in team training, menu planning, and inventory management, making a positive impact on the senior community's dining experience.

Working at Brookdale means more than a paycheck; it offers a career pathway with opportunities for ongoing professional development and wellness programs. Benefits vary by employment status and include health insurance, retirement plans, and various voluntary options. Part-time and full-time employees enjoy comprehensive benefits such as medical, dental, vision coverage, 401(k), employee discounts, and more. Full-time staff receive additional perks like paid time off, life insurance, adoption assistance, and tuition reimbursement. Veterans and military spouses are encouraged to apply, reflecting Brookdale's commitment to inclusivity and support for diverse communities.

The Chef position is perfect for those who want to contribute meaningful work in a supportive environment, developing their culinary expertise within the senior living industry. Joining Brookdale means becoming part of a team that values diversity, innovation, and kindness while advancing your career in a quality-driven organization recognized by Newsweek as one of America's Greatest Workplaces for Diversity in both 2024 and 2025. This job promises a fulfilling work experience where your creativity and leadership skills enhance the lives of seniors every day.

Job Requirements

Associate’s degree or equivalent
two to four years related experience and/or training
ServSafe certified
hold all required food handling or sanitation licenses
ability to stand and walk for extended periods
ability to lift up to 50 pounds
ability to interact with co-workers, residents and vendors
capability to perform physical tasks such as stooping, kneeling, crouching, climbing and balancing
availability to work occasional evenings, weekends or nights to ensure shift coverage
willingness to follow safety and sanitation protocols
possess sound judgment and problem-solving skills
adhere to company policies and procedures

Job Qualifications

Associate’s degree or equivalent from two year college or technical school
two to four years related experience and/or training or equivalent combination of education and experience
ServSafe certified
hold any local, state or county required food handling/sanitation licenses or certificates
applies existing guidelines and procedures to make varied decisions within a department
uses sound judgment and experience to solve moderately complex problems
possesses extensive knowledge of culinary skills and food preparation principles
effective customer service skills
ability to lead and supervise diverse teams
ability to coordinate production of menus, recipes and food preparation
excellent cooking skills and understanding of culinary terminology
ability to modify and develop healthy and satisfying menus
ability to understand and apply sanitation principles

Job Duties

Oversees daily operations of the kitchen and ensures the highest quality food products
directly supervises and trains kitchen personnel on all culinary activities
oversees breakfast, lunch and dinner for quality assurance of meal presentation and portion control
selects recipes, prepares and coordinates all meals, and coordinates prep for the following day’s menu
creates new dishes and develops recipes, standardizing recipes to ensure consistent quality
plans, modifies and develops menus
performs a pre-meal meeting with food servers to review daily menu details
ensures adequate number of culinary associates each shift and covers absences
estimates food consumption and requisitions food purchases while monitoring inventory
assists in maintaining budget compliance for daily food costs
assists in applying appropriate loss prevention procedures
assists in hiring, training, scheduling, disciplining and terminating associates and provides training for all kitchen staff
assists in the coordination and execution of special events
maintains kitchen cleanliness and food preparation according to health department code requirements
ensures all kitchen equipment is in working order and clean
oversees proper inventory, storage and use of cleaning chemicals
keeps waste to a minimum by utilizing food storage and recycling techniques