Executive Chef - Senior Living

REAL Food re-fined.

Executive Chef - Senior Living | Location: Plano, TX 75093

Compensation: $86,000-$95,000 annually + 5% bonus eligibility| Full-Time

Schedule: Full-time, varied

Job Summary

As the Executive Chef in our senior living community, you’ll lead a dedicated culinary team to create nutritious, delicious meals that bring comfort and joy to our residents. You’ll directly oversee and be hands-on with kitchen operations. You’ll plan menus that meet special (sometimes medical) dietary needs, manage inventory and budgets, and ensure a safe, welcoming dining experience — with an extra dash of customer service thrown in! This role blends creativity, leadership, and compassion to make every meal meaningful and gives you the opportunity to put our Vision into Action by “Providing Real Food and Genuine Service while building Enduring Relationships."

What You'll Do

• Curate and design diverse, innovative menus centered around scratch-cooked, high-quality ingredients.
• Hands-on culinary support as needed throughout the kitchen (expo, line cook, training, production, etc.)
• Integrate nutritional elements and cater to diverse dietary preferences.
• Lead and inspire a culinary team to deliver excellence in food preparation, presentation, and taste.
• Foster a positive and collaborative kitchen culture.
• Oversee day-to-day kitchen operations, ensuring efficiency, cleanliness, and adherence to health and safety standards.
• Streamline processes to enhance overall operational performance.
• Establish and maintain strong relationships with vendors to ensure a consistent supply of fresh, sustainable, and locally sourced ingredients.
• Negotiate favorable terms to optimize cost efficiency.
• Interact with customers to understand their preferences and feedback.
• Implement customer-centric strategies to enhance the overall dining experience.
• Develop and implement training programs to enhance the skills and knowledge of the culinary team.
• Stay informed about industry trends and share insights with the team.
• Collaborate with financial teams to create and manage budgets for the culinary department.
• Exercise strong financial stewardship in all culinary operations.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

What You Will Bring

• Proven experience as an Executive Chef or Chef Manager, senior living experience a plus
• Culinary degree or equivalent certification.
• Minimum of three (3) to five (5) years of progressive culinary/kitchen management experience.
• Strong commitment to scratch cooking and using fresh, quality ingredients.
• Excellent leadership and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.
• Creative flair and a passion for culinary innovation.
• Flexibility to work weekends, evenings, and holidays as needed
• Alcohol awareness certification, state specific
• Successful background check and drug screen, state specific
• Health screening and TB tests, state specific
• ServSafe® Certification and State Food Handlers Card, state specific

Physical and Sensory Requirements

• This job involves regular exposure to moving mechanical parts and a kitchen environment with fumes, airborne particles, and moderate noise. Employees must have the physical stamina to stand for long periods, lift trays, and perform repetitive tasks. Occasional exposure to wet or humid conditions, extreme temperatures, and vibration may occur. Reasonable accommodations are available for individuals with disabilities.

At Thomas Cuisine, our people are purposeful. They care about food and quality and have a desire to make a positive impact in the world through REAL food. Embark on a rewarding culinary journey with us, where your skills will not only flourish but also contribute significantly to the satisfaction and well-being of our healthcare community.

What We Offer!

• Life/Work Integration
  • Paid Bereavement Leave
  • Paid Parental Leave
  • Paid Baby Bonding Leave
  • Paid Elder Care Leave
  • Paid Time Off (Accrued)
  • Paid Holidays

• Health & Wellness
  • 3 Medical Plans (Blue Cross)
  • Prescription, Dental, and Vision Coverage
  • Reimbursed Wellness Massages (Portion of cost)
  • Voluntary HSA with Company Match
  • Voluntary FSA
  • Free Employee Assistance Program (Behavioral Health Support)
  • Access to Wellness Initiatives (Fitness Memberships, etc.)

• Financial Wellness
  • 401(k) Retirement Plan with Company Match
  • Company-Paid Basic Life Insurance
  • Company-Paid Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) Policy
  • Voluntary Short-Term Disability
  • Voluntary Employee, Spouse, and/or child(ren) Life Insurance, with AD&D
• Plus
  • A supportive, collaborative work environment
  • Opportunities for growth

Who We Are

Founded in 1986, Thomas Cuisine is an award-winning, privately held contract food service company. We advocate the healing power of whole foods and believe in preparing scratch-made cuisine fresh each day. Our people are purposeful, they care about food and quality, and have a desire to make a positive impact in the world through REAL food. Embark on a rewarding culinary journey with us, where your skills will not only flourish, but also contribute significantly to the satisfaction and well-being of our growing community.

Our commitment to you

At Thomas Cuisine, we are dedicated to fostering a workplace that is diverse, equitable, inclusive, and where every individual feels a sense of belonging. We know that this commitment is an ongoing journey, and we will strive to improve and adapt as we grow. Our DEIB commitment is not just a statement but a living part of our company culture.

REAL Food | Genuine Service | Enduring Relationships