Culinary Lead

Culinary Lead - Full Time Optimized Senior Living -

Fairfield Campus Location:

Fairfield, Ohio Cook With Purpose. Create Food That Feels Like Home. At Optimized Senior Living, food is one of the most meaningful parts of our residents' day. We believe meals should feel warm, comforting, and thoughtfully prepared — not institutional. We are looking for a passionate culinary professional to lead the kitchen at our Fairfield campus and bring creativity, hospitality, and consistency to the dining experience for our residents. If you enjoy cooking from scratch, creating beautiful plates, and building relationships with the people you cook for , this role offers something special: the chance to cook meals that truly matter. You won't just be feeding people — you'll be brightening their day. What You'll Do Create Exceptional Home-Style Meals Prepare daily meals for residents. Cook meals that feel comforting, familiar, and restaurant-quality . Plate meals in an attractive and thoughtful way that enhances the dining experience. Get to Know Your "Guests" Our residents are like family.

You will:

Learn resident favorites and personal preferences Accommodate dietary needs and therapeutic diets Keep favorite treats and snacks available Create moments of joy through food. Lead the Culinary Experience You will take ownership of: Creating menus using Grove Menus Planning meals for all Optimized locations Balancing nutrition, variety, and resident preferences Baking fresh items for residents to enjoy throughout the week Prep Ahead & Run an Organized Kitchen Prepare food ahead for your days off to ensure consistency. Maintain an organized kitchen with proper food storage and inventory. Keep baked goods and snacks available for residents.

Meal Service Meals are served:

In resident rooms when needed In the shared kitchen/dining spaces Presentation and timing matter — you'll help create a pleasant dining experience every day . Regulatory & Dietary Standards Meals must meet the standards outlined in: Ohio Administrative Code Rule 3701-16-10 You will ensure: Proper dietary compliance Safe food handling Sanitation and kitchen standards Schedule Full-time 5 days per week 8-hour shifts Focus on lunch and dinner service No late-night restaurant shifts. The Ideal Candidate This role is perfect for someone who: Loves cooking from scratch Takes pride in presentation and food quality Enjoys cooking for the same people and getting to know them Wants a stable schedule without late nights Enjoys creating a hospitality-driven dining experience Experience We Value Culinary or professional kitchen experience Restaurant, catering, private chef, or hospitality background Experience with dietary needs or therapeutic diets (helpful but not required) Most important: a passion for food and caring for people. Why This Job is Different Most kitchen jobs focus on speed and volume. This role focuses on meaning . Our residents look forward to meals every day. The right cook becomes a central part of their daily happiness. You'll have: A consistent schedule Creative input into menus The chance to cook food people truly appreciate A warm environment where relationships matter. Join Our Team If you're someone who believes food is an act of care , we would love to meet you. Come help us create meals that feel like home.