Executive Chef | Southern California Hospital at Culver City
15 days ago
Culver City
Job Description The Executive Chef at Lemontree Healthcare is responsible for overseeing all kitchen operations, ensuring the preparation and delivery of high-quality, nutritious meals that meet the dietary needs of patients, staff, and visitors. The Executive Chef leads menu planning, meal preparation, food safety practices, and kitchen staff management while maintaining high standards of food quality, presentation, and patient satisfaction. This leadership position works closely with dietitians and medical teams to develop menus that cater to specialized diets and food preferences in a healthcare setting. Location: Southern California Hospital in Culver City Key Responsibilities: 1. Menu Planning and Meal Preparation: · Develop and oversee the preparation of meals for patients, staff, and visitors, adhering to nutritional guidelines and dietary needs. · Collaborate with dietitians and clinical teams to plan menus for therapeutic diets (e.g., diabetic, low-sodium, gluten-free) and patient preferences. · Ensure meals are nutritious, well-balanced, and appealing, with appropriate portions and ingredients. · Supervise meal preparation and ensure that food quality, taste, and presentation meet Lemontree Healthcare’s standards. 2. Food Safety and Sanitation: · Maintain strict adherence to food safety and sanitation standards in compliance with all local, state, and federal regulations. · Oversee the proper storage, handling, and preparation of food to ensure safety and prevent contamination. · Monitor the cleanliness of kitchen facilities and equipment, conducting regular inspections to ensure compliance with health and safety guidelines. · Implement and enforce protocols for kitchen cleanliness, waste reduction, and safe handling of food. 3. Staff Supervision and Development: · Lead, manage, and mentor the kitchen team, including cooks, food prep staff, and dishwashers, ensuring high levels of performance and professionalism. · Provide training on food preparation, kitchen safety, customer service, and operational procedures. · Schedule and supervise kitchen shifts, ensuring adequate staffing to meet meal service demands. · Conduct performance evaluations, provide constructive feedback, and support staff development to enhance culinary skills and efficiency. 4. Inventory and Supply Management: · Oversee inventory management, including tracking food supplies, ordering ingredients, and ensuring proper storage and rotation of stock. · Work with the Food and Nutrition Manager to maintain cost-effective purchasing and ensure the kitchen remains within budget. · Monitor inventory levels, minimizing food waste while ensuring all necessary supplies are available for meal preparation. · Maintain accurate records of food orders, inventory usage, and expenses. 5. Collaboration and Communication: · Work closely with the Food and Nutrition Manager, dietary staff, and clinical teams to ensure meals align with patient health and dietary requirements. · Collaborate with other departments to ensure smooth coordination of meal delivery, including patient services and food delivery teams. · Address patient or staff feedback regarding food quality, meal preferences, or dietary modifications, ensuring prompt resolution. 6. Quality Control and Performance Monitoring: · Conduct regular tastings and evaluations of food to ensure consistency, taste, and visual appeal. · Monitor portion control to meet nutritional standards while avoiding food waste. · Analyze patient feedback, conduct surveys, and implement improvements in meal offerings and service based on patient satisfaction. 7. Budgeting and Cost Management: · Assist in managing the kitchen’s food budget, ensuring efficient use of resources and keeping food costs within limits. · Identify opportunities for cost-saving measures without compromising quality. · Control portion sizes and food usage to maintain cost efficiency while delivering high-quality meals. Education and Experience: · High school diploma or equivalent required; Culinary Arts degree or certification from an accredited institution preferred. · Minimum of 5-7 years of culinary experience, with at least 3-5 years in an executive chef or leadership role, preferably in a healthcare or institutional food service setting. · Experience with special dietary needs, therapeutic meal planning, and managing food service operations in a healthcare environment is highly desirable. Skills and Competencies: · Strong leadership and team management skills, with the ability to motivate, develop, and supervise kitchen staff. · Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with a focus on collaboration and patient satisfaction. · Comprehensive knowledge of food safety standards, nutrition guidelines, and therapeutic diets. · Strong organizational and time management abilities, capable of overseeing multiple tasks and ensuring efficient kitchen operations. · Proficiency in inventory management, budgeting, and cost control. · Strong problem-solving skills, with the ability to handle patient dietary requests and food-related concerns efficiently. Working Conditions: · Full-time position with hours that may include evenings, weekends, and holidays based on the meal service schedule. · Work performed in a kitchen environment, including standing for extended periods, lifting, and moving food items. · Occasional exposure to heat, steam, and cleaning chemicals as part of food preparation and kitchen maintenance. Lemontree Healthcare policy is to provide equal employment opportunity to all qualified applicants and employees regardless of their race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, genetic information, veteran status, status as a special disabled veteran, or any other protected criteria as established by federal, state, or local laws. Employment decisions at Easterseals are based solely upon relevant criteria, including an individual’s capabilities, qualifications, training, experience, and suitability.