Head Chef in Ephrata, Pennsylvania at Culinesse LLC

Culinesse, in partnership with Fairmount Homes, is looking for a Head Chef to join the dining services team. This position will report to the Assistant Food Service Director.

The Head Chef is responsible for leading all culinary operations within the retirement community, ensuring the delivery of high- quality, nutritious, and appealing meals that enhance resident satisfaction and well-being. This role oversees food preparation, assists in menu planning, leads kitchen staff, ensures food safety compliance, assists in inventory management, and maintains a positive and collaborative kitchen culture. The Head Chef serves as a leader and mentor to the culinary team, ensuring consistent execution of meals.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Prepare meals according to recipes and instructions. Adjusting for altered diets and diets specific to the residents, ensuring that quantity, nutritional, and quality standards are met.
2. Works with the culinary team to plan, order, and execute menus for the Bistro, Daily resident menus, and special event menus
3. Plans and participates in special catering functions with Dining Directors.
4. Follow all safety guidelines and standards, and ensure that a safe working environment is maintained.
5. Responsible for following safety guidelines in the event of a staff injury.
6. Attends facility safety meetings, as scheduled.
7. Follows all regulations governing the handling and storage of food supplies and equipment, as well as sanitation methods.
8. Notifies the Maintenance Department of broken or malfunctioning equipment via work requisitions.
9. Responsible for maintaining food at safe temperatures, recording refrigerator and freezer temperatures, ensuring food has appropriate labels and dates, and discarding food items past their date.
10. Provides input to the resident’s menu by participating in menu-planning meetings with Dining Directors and Dietitians.
11. Works with the Dining Directors to obtain standardized recipes and prep sheets for the culinary team, ensuring proper preparation.
12. Ensure all kitchens across campus are clean and organized in accordance with applicable state regulations.
13. Lead and coordinate daily meetings and huddle with kitchen team members, with support from Dining Directors
14. Performs all other duties as assigned and required by facility needs.

Core Universal Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Supports the Mission and Core Values of Fairmount

• Demonstrates an understanding and willingness to take on additional tasks outside of the job description when needed.

• Follows emergency procedures and responds rapidly and appropriately to emergencies ensuring the safety of the residents and team members.

• Follows proper procedures and promotes safe work practices to maintain a safe working environment.

• Adheres to the Fairmount Code of Conduct.

• Adheres to Corporate Compliance Plan.

• Comply with HIPAA Privacy standards.

• COMPUTER LITERACY: All employees must be able to operate a computer, copier, and other job-specific technology. This includes the ability to navigate software programs, save and access files, and utilize internet browsers. Users must be able to utilize email for sending and receiving corporate communications.

Fairmount Homes offers employment without discrimination based on race, sex, color, national origin, ancestry, religious creed, disability, handicap, age, or any other status protected under local, state or federal laws. Fairmount Homes is a faith-based organization dedicated to serving Christ and following biblical teachings. By accepting employment at Fairmount Homes, you consent not to undermine its mission and agree that your work conduct will not conflict with or undermine its religious purposes.

This job description is not intended and should not be construed to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, efforts, or working conditions associated with the job. It reflects key job elements.

• Four (4) years in large quantity food production and leadership experience is required (Long term healthcare experience preferred.)
• Personal hygiene and dress must conform with required standards.
• Must be able to read, write and follow written instructions
• Must have basic knowledge of safe and sanitary equipment handling practices and maintain Serv Safe Certification or willing to complete Serv Safe Course.
• Proficiency in windows-based programs preferred.
• Ability to lead and build teams according to Fairmount Core Values & Dining Directors expectations.
• Quick problem-solving skills and ability to lead the kitchen staff calmly and professionally in any given situation
• Ability to work well and genuine desire to serve others according to Fairmount Core Values.
• Able to work quickly and efficiently in a fast-paced kitchen environment
• Ability to add and subtract and do basic culinary calculations.
• Able to work some weekends, holidays and evenings.
• Demonstrates good communication skills