Executive Chef at Compass Group Lexington, KY

Compass Group is a global leader in food and support services, providing high-quality and innovative solutions to various sectors including healthcare, business, education, and leisure. As the parent company of Morrison Healthcare, Compass Group is dedicated to delivering exceptional culinary experiences and nutrition services tailored to meet the specific needs of their clients. With a strong commitment to sustainability, wellness, and community engagement, Compass Group sustains a diverse workforce of professionals who strive for excellence and continuous improvement. Based in Lexington, KY, this branch operates within a rich network of national and local teams to ensure outstanding service delivery in a variety of settings. Morrison Healthcare, a division of Compass Group, specializes exclusively in food and nutrition services for more than 600 hospitals and healthcare systems nationwide. It is renowned for its socially responsible practices and delivering exceptional guest experiences through hospital kitchens, restaurants, and cafes. Morrison Healthcare's Mindful Choices® wellness and sustainability platform incorporates the latest advances in healthful eating and promotes behavioral change in food consumption. This initiative supports the Partnership for a Healthier America (PHA)'s Hospital Healthy Food Initiative, positively impacting approximately 41 million patients and 500 million hospital meals annually. Recognized for excellence in healthcare employment, Morrison Healthcare has been repeatedly named among Modern Healthcare's Top 100 Best Places to Work in Healthcare and Training Magazine’s Top 125 organizations for professional development. The company boasts over 1,200 registered dietitians, 300 executive chefs, and 17,000 professional food service team members, forming a dynamic team led by innovative culinary leaders.

We are seeking an Executive Chef for the patient dining division located in Lexington, KY, offering a salary range of $80,000 to $95,000 annually, complemented by a $10,000 sign-on bonus and relocation assistance. This role involves a Monday through Friday schedule from 6 AM to 4:30 or 5 PM, including a manager-on-duty weekend rotation approximately every tenth weekend. The Executive Chef will lead culinary operations across a large-scale 1000-bed patient feeding program along with managing four distinct retail cafe locations. This high-impact position demands a culinary expert skilled in managing high-volume food production with a robust financial acumen and commitment to safety, patient satisfaction, and regulatory compliance within a healthcare environment. Responsibilities include menu development, recipe standardization, and cost control to ensure quality and consistency in patient and retail dining offerings. The chef will oversee a team of more than 50 staff members around the clock, cultivating leadership, mentorship, and an environment of accountability and continuous improvement. Focused on operational excellence, the Executive Chef will maintain compliance with health codes and safety protocols like HACCP and JCAHO while also driving innovation in customer service and retail sales. The role provides exciting opportunities for a culinary professional passionate about excelling in a complex, rewarding healthcare food service operation that values quality, nutrition, and sustainability.