Sous Chef

Sunrise Senior Living is a leading provider of senior living services committed to creating a compassionate, vibrant, and nurturing environment where residents can thrive. Recognized repeatedly for its outstanding workplace culture, Sunrise Senior Living has been certified as a Great Place to Work by Activated Insights for the eighth time, underscoring its dedication to fostering an exceptional environment for both residents and staff. Sunrise communities emphasize quality of life through personalized care, meaningful engagement activities, and a commitment to service excellence, making it one of the most respected names in senior care.

Sunrise of River Forest seeks a dedicated and experienced Sous Chef to contribute to the culinary leadership and operational excellence of the community's Dining Services. This role involves assisting the Executive Chef in managing food production, presentation, labor and financial management, and team member development. The Sous Chef will play a vital role in ensuring that all meals meet Sunrise's high standards for quality, nutrition, and safety, as well as regulatory compliance. The position is essential to delivering exceptional dining experiences that enrich the lives of residents.

As the Sous Chef, you will oversee multiple facets of food service operations, including specialized nutrition and therapeutic diets. You will manage inventory control and purchasing in alignment with Sunrise menu programming and vendor partnerships. A key part of your role will include coaching and training the dining services team to uphold sanitation, food safety, and service standards. The Sous Chef is also responsible for maintaining accurate records such as food temperatures, cleaning checklists, and HACCP compliance documents.

Beyond operational duties, the Sous Chef fosters engagement with residents during meal times to monitor satisfaction and address concerns promptly, ensuring a pleasant dining experience. Safety and risk management are critical components of this role — you will work collaboratively with the community team to uphold occupational health standards and maintain a safe kitchen environment.

Financial acumen is necessary to understand and control departmental budgets related to labor and food costs, striving for efficiency without compromising quality. The position demands strong leadership skills to supervise, develop, and motivate team members, contributing to a positive, productive workplace culture. The Sous Chef will participate in Sunrise University training programs and support the organization’s mission and core values.

This role requires certification or a college degree in Culinary Arts, with at least three years of experience in kitchen management or as a chef and a minimum of two years in supervisory capacity. Candidates should possess relevant food safety certifications such as ServeSafe and demonstrate proficiency in computer skills including Microsoft Office and Sunrise applications. Flexibility to work weekends, evenings, and peak service times is essential.

Joining Sunrise Senior Living means becoming part of a community that values integrity, respect, and joy in serving others. Employees receive comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, life, and disability plans, a retirement savings plan, paid time off, tuition reimbursement, and access to employee assistance and discount programs. The company also offers unique perks such as MyFlexPay for timely compensation and may provide discretionary bonuses based on performance.

Sunrise is committed to the health and safety of its residents and team members, adhering to strict drug testing, background checks, and vaccination requirements as mandated. This role offers a meaningful career path where you can impact the lives of seniors profoundly while growing professionally in a supportive and rewarding environment.