Job Overview
Employment Type
Full-time
Work Schedule
Day Shifts
Weekend Shifts
Benefits
Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
Paid Time Off
Retirement Plan
Professional Development
Employee wellness programs
flexible scheduling
Job Description
Forefront is a distinguished culinary and hospitality management company dedicated to delivering exceptional dining experiences within senior living communities, healthcare facilities, and other specialized environments. With a focus on quality, innovation, and resident satisfaction, Forefront stands out as a leader in the industry by combining culinary artistry with operational excellence. The company prides itself on fostering environments where food is more than just nourishment—it is an experience that enhances the lifestyle and well-being of its residents and clients. Forefront’s commitment to excellence is reflected in its meticulous attention to food quality, safety standards, and team development across all managed accounts.
The Executive Chef role at Forefront is a senior culinary leadership position responsible for the overall success and smooth operation of dining services at a designated Forefront-managed community or account. This exempt salaried position demands a dynamic leader who balances hands-on culinary skills with strategic management capabilities. The Executive Chef ensures that every aspect of the culinary program—from food production and menu planning to team leadership and financial oversight—meets or exceeds Forefront’s rigorous standards. They are accountable for delivering outstanding food quality, enhancing resident and patient satisfaction, and maintaining regulatory compliance while managing the financial performance of the dining operations.
In this role, the Executive Chef leads culinary operations including production, menu execution, catering, and special dining events. They develop and implement seasonal menus and programs that resonate with residents and patients, ensuring food is consistently prepared fresh and presented with care. The Executive Chef acts as a champion of innovation within the culinary team, fostering engagement, creativity, and continuous improvement. Financially, the individual oversees food costs, labor management, budgeting, purchasing, and waste reduction initiatives to achieve company and contractual financial targets. Collaborating with General Managers and regional leadership, the Executive Chef helps shape performance strategy and operational standards.
Talent development and team leadership are critical components of this role. The Executive Chef is responsible for recruiting, training, and retaining skilled culinary professionals, including Sous Chefs, Managers, Supervisors, and frontline staff. They cultivate a culture of accountability, professionalism, teamwork, and pride, while promoting succession planning and continuous professional growth within their teams. Safety, sanitation, and compliance with health and food safety regulations such as ServSafe, HACCP, OSHA, and CMS are rigorously maintained. The Executive Chef ensures kitchen cleanliness, inspection readiness, and proper documentation to uphold the highest standards in food safety.
Resident experience is integral to the role, requiring active engagement with residents, patients, clients, and leadership through councils, tastings, and feedback sessions to drive satisfaction and responsiveness. The Executive Chef represents Forefront’s culinary program in a highly professional manner and supports corporate initiatives including special events, marketing, and community engagement. Periodic travel for company meetings may be required.
Overall, the Executive Chef position at Forefront offers a challenging and rewarding opportunity for a passionate culinary professional with strong leadership skills and a commitment to delivering excellence in food service within senior living or healthcare settings.
The Executive Chef role at Forefront is a senior culinary leadership position responsible for the overall success and smooth operation of dining services at a designated Forefront-managed community or account. This exempt salaried position demands a dynamic leader who balances hands-on culinary skills with strategic management capabilities. The Executive Chef ensures that every aspect of the culinary program—from food production and menu planning to team leadership and financial oversight—meets or exceeds Forefront’s rigorous standards. They are accountable for delivering outstanding food quality, enhancing resident and patient satisfaction, and maintaining regulatory compliance while managing the financial performance of the dining operations.
In this role, the Executive Chef leads culinary operations including production, menu execution, catering, and special dining events. They develop and implement seasonal menus and programs that resonate with residents and patients, ensuring food is consistently prepared fresh and presented with care. The Executive Chef acts as a champion of innovation within the culinary team, fostering engagement, creativity, and continuous improvement. Financially, the individual oversees food costs, labor management, budgeting, purchasing, and waste reduction initiatives to achieve company and contractual financial targets. Collaborating with General Managers and regional leadership, the Executive Chef helps shape performance strategy and operational standards.
Talent development and team leadership are critical components of this role. The Executive Chef is responsible for recruiting, training, and retaining skilled culinary professionals, including Sous Chefs, Managers, Supervisors, and frontline staff. They cultivate a culture of accountability, professionalism, teamwork, and pride, while promoting succession planning and continuous professional growth within their teams. Safety, sanitation, and compliance with health and food safety regulations such as ServSafe, HACCP, OSHA, and CMS are rigorously maintained. The Executive Chef ensures kitchen cleanliness, inspection readiness, and proper documentation to uphold the highest standards in food safety.
Resident experience is integral to the role, requiring active engagement with residents, patients, clients, and leadership through councils, tastings, and feedback sessions to drive satisfaction and responsiveness. The Executive Chef represents Forefront’s culinary program in a highly professional manner and supports corporate initiatives including special events, marketing, and community engagement. Periodic travel for company meetings may be required.
Overall, the Executive Chef position at Forefront offers a challenging and rewarding opportunity for a passionate culinary professional with strong leadership skills and a commitment to delivering excellence in food service within senior living or healthcare settings.
Job Requirements
- Culinary degree or equivalent professional experience preferred
- 7-10+ years of culinary leadership experience, including Executive Chef or Senior Chef roles
- Experience in senior living, healthcare, hospitality, or contract food service strongly preferred
- Proven success managing high-volume or multi-outlet operations
- Strong financial acumen including food cost, labor management, and budgeting
- Proven ability to lead, develop, and retain large culinary teams
- ServSafe certification or ability to obtain within 90 days of employment
- Strong communication, organization, and leadership skills
Job Qualifications
- Culinary degree or equivalent professional experience preferred
- 7-10+ years of culinary leadership experience, including Executive Chef or Senior Chef roles
- Experience in senior living, healthcare, hospitality, or contract food service strongly preferred
- Proven success managing high-volume or multi-outlet operations
- Strong financial acumen including food cost, labor management, and budgeting
- Proven ability to lead, develop, and retain large culinary teams
- ServSafe Certification or ability to obtain
- Strong communication, organization, and leadership skills
Job Duties
- Lead all culinary operations including production, menu execution, catering, and special events
- Ensure consistent delivery of high-quality, scratch or fresh-prepared food aligned with Forefront standards
- Develop and execute seasonal menus, resident-driven programs, and special dining events
- Maintain presentation, taste, and service standards at all times
- Champion innovation, resident engagement, and culinary experience enhancement
- Own food cost, labor cost, and controllable expense performance
- Develop and manage budgets, forecasts, and purchasing strategies
- Implement inventory controls, ordering systems, and waste reduction programs
- Deliver financial results aligned with contractual and company targets
- Partner with the General Manager and Regional leadership on performance strategy
- Recruit, train, develop, and retain high-performing culinary teams
- Lead Sous Chefs, Managers, Supervisors, and frontline culinary staff
- Build strong bench strength, succession planning, and training programs
- Foster a culture of accountability, professionalism, teamwork, and pride
- Conduct performance evaluations, coaching, and corrective action when needed
- Ensure full compliance with all health department, ServSafe, HACCP, OSHA, CMS, and company standards
- Lead kitchen sanitation, food safety, and inspection readiness at all times
- Maintain documentation, training logs, and audit readiness
- Drive a strong culture of food safety and workplace safety
- Partner with residents, patients, clients, and leadership to drive satisfaction
- Participate in resident councils, food committees, tastings, and feedback sessions
- Respond proactively to concerns and continuously improve the dining experience
- Represent Forefront and the culinary program in a highly professional manner
- Execute corporate programs, standards, and culinary initiatives
- Support special events, marketing initiatives, and community engagement activities
- Lead openings, renovations, and concept changes when applicable
- Occasional travel for company meetings by car and/or plane may be required
- Responsible for acting in conformance with all facility and departmental policies and procedures including those relating to Human Resources, Code of Ethics and Business Conduct, Health and Safety regulations, Compliance requirements, Patient Rights, Confidentiality, and HIPAA
- Attends department meetings as required
- Demonstrates accountability to accept responsibility for personal/professional growth and any required certification/licenses, if applicable
- Completes mandatory training and competencies annually
Job Criteria
Experience
Expert Level (7+ years)
Job Location
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