Chef de Cuisine - Healthcare

Food can do more than nourish—it can create connection, comfort, and a true sense of belonging. Culinesse is seeking a Chef de Cuisine to join the Culinesse team at Messiah Lifeways, where your expertise, leadership, and collaborative spirit will help enrich the lives of residents across the community.

In this role, you will prepare, portion, cook, and present a variety of hot and cold foods for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and special/catered events. You will also lead the kitchen in the Executive Chef's absence and help coach, train, and guide the culinary team.
This is a highly collaborative position for someone who can balance multiple tasks, prioritize, work with diverse groups of people, and stay focused in a fast-paced environment. You will report to the Executive Chef.
Ideal candidates should be looking for a full-time position with a varying schedule that includes evenings, weekends, holidays, and extended hours as business needs require

What You'll Do

• Assure smooth kitchen operation by coordinating with related food and beverage departments
• Maintain accurate records of ingredients used, estimate food requirements, and requisition supplies and equipment
• Support the Executive Chef in creating, developing, and implementing new menus
• Support the Executive Chef in orienting employees to the department and providing training on job responsibilities.
• Prepare and present high-quality food for residents and guests, including meals for special diets, bakery items, and small- to large-batch production, using classical and contemporary cooking, plating, and garnishing techniques
• Supervise, instruct, and guide cooks; help orient and train new team members; assign work and conduct performance reviews
• Review weekly BEOs and assign prep and other duties on daily production sheets with recipes attached
• Enter menu cycles, special menus, recipes, and production data into MealSuite or other production programs, and support weekly inventory
• Uphold sanitation, safety, allergy, and regulatory standards, and keep workstations and equipment clean
• Coordinate with other food and beverage departments to keep service running smoothly
• Attend daily shift meetings and weekly in-service meetings, and recommend procedural or production improvements

About Culinesse

Culinesse is a forward-thinking boutique dining services company dedicated to elevating retirement community living through highly personalized resident and guest experiences. Our name draws from the Latin culina—“of the kitchen”—and esse—“essential nature.” That idea guides how we work: with transparency, purpose, respect for the environment, and a belief that authentic food can nourish the whole person. When our partner communities thrive, everyone thrives.

Full-time team members are eligible for benefits that include (but are not limited to) health, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability coverage.

Ready to Apply?

If you are passionate about authentic, purposeful food and want to lead a kitchen that makes a difference in the lives of residents and guests, we would love to hear from you. Apply today to join the Culinesse team in Mechanicsburg, PA.

Qualifications

Qualifications

• Experience in a hospital, senior living, or K-12 environment required
• Previous culinary supervisory experience required
• Previous banquet and/or catering experience preferred
• Education and experience:
  • High school diploma or equivalent with 6 years of related work experience, OR
  • 2-year culinary degree or 4-year hospitality degree with 4 or more years of related work experience
• Strong knowledge of nutrition, dietary requirements, and food safety regulations
• Demonstrated knowledge of kitchen equipment
• Availability to work nights, weekends, and some holidays

Qualities That Set You Apart

• A professional presence, with honesty and ethics at the core of how you work
• The ability to motivate, develop, and direct people, and to hold every team member to the same standards of professionalism
• Strong time management and the ability to monitor and improve your own performance and the team's
• Clear, respectful communication with clients, co-workers, and other departments
• A positive attitude, mature judgment, and a willingness to keep learning and growing
• High standards for your work area, appearance, and attention to detail
• Composure and calm under pressure, with a willingness to lead and take charge