Culinary Specialist

Traveling Culinary Specialist

Clearwater Living is a premier luxury senior living company based in Newport Beach, CA and is looking for a Traveling Culinary Specialist to join the team!

Clearwater Living associates enjoy great benefits:

• Excellent benefits
• 401(k) contributions
• Paid vacation and sick leave
• Exciting opportunities to grow
• Dynamic and fast paced environment
• Culture of people first and service always

This position is a full time traveling Culinary Specialist role filling in at various Clearwater communities.

The Culinary specialist is responsible for stepping in and acting as the Culinary Director and/or Executive Chef in communities with an open Culinary Director and/or Executive Chef positions. They will oversee and manage all aspects of an efficient, professionally run culinary operation. The role provides the vision and oversight of all food preparation and service for the entire community with emphasis on the dining room, catering, room service, private parties and recreational functions. To satisfy every aspect concerning the taste, dietary habits and restrictions of the residents. To supervise the production, presentation and cost of food, and create a balanced rotating menu. In some cases, there may be extensive work to bring culinary programs up to Clearwater Standards.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Manage, plan, develop, organize, schedule, evaluate, and direct the Culinary department
• Supervise the production, presentation and cost of food, and create a balanced rotating menu
• Serve as liaison between guests, residents and Culinary team members and be responsible for effective communication across all areas
• Resolve resident complaints regarding food quality and/or service
• Establish a Food Committee and/or survey and visit with residents regularly to determine resident special likes/dislikes and, as much as possible, resident preferences and requests
• Ensure a sanitary work environment and comply with all health and safety codes, state licensing regulations and policies and procedures regarding proper storage, handling and serving of food
• Develop and implement policies/processes to ensure that food is ready on time and proper temperature levels are met
• Backup Culinary team members in their job duties as needed
• Recruit, hire, train, motivate, and supervise department staff in accordance with all company policies, procedures, and core values
• Carry out required new hire training and ongoing skills training for team members and maintain appropriate documentation
• Provide performance feedback and counseling for team members when necessary
• Oversee all department purchasing which includes raw food, supplies, small wares, linen, uniforms, and alcoholic beverages
• Manage required schedule and labor hours to ensure cost-effective and timely coverage for three meals per day, including setup/transition and closing responsibilities while meeting or exceeding labor targets

Position Requirements:

• Ability and willingness to travel up to 100%
• Bachelor's degree or related education in Culinary Arts or Hospitality is preferable or a combination of formal training from a related culinary or technical school and experience overseeing restaurant and dining operations
• Minimum eight to ten years of experience in food service
• Minimum five to seven years of supervisory experience to include hiring, training, and supervising staff and developing and managing a budget
• Serve Safe certification preferred
• First Aid Certification preferred
• Ability, licensure and willingness to drive the community vehicle as needed
• Background clearances as required by government regulations
• Must meet health requirements, including TB