Culinary Services Director

Company: Maplewood at Darien LLC
Location: Darien
Posted on: February 11, 2026

Job Description:

Job Title: Culinary Services Director Location: Darien, CT Employment Type: Full-time Salary Range: Competitive Department: Dining Services About Us: Want to know what makes our employees eager about going to work every day? The people we serve. Being a part of Maplewood requires passion and a desire to help others. Each employee has the ability to touch the hearts of all our seniors and be a part of something bigger than themselves. It’s not just a job. It’s an extraordinary life. Maplewood Senior Living is a state-of-the-art, forward-thinking senior living provider. We offer a home-like, luxury environment for our residents, allowing them to live “the good life” in a safe environment. As an associate of Maplewood Senior Living, you will have the ability to make a profound difference in the lives of seniors each and every day. As we continue to grow, we are seeking a server to become part of our family. We invite you to take your first step toward a rewarding career with us! Reports To: Executive Director Summary: This position has overall responsibility for the daily operations of the culinary services department. Performs duties in compliance with established company policies and procedures and operates in a professional manner. Ensures the residents are provided a high quality dining experience. Ensures the department follows all policies and procedures, is adequately staffed and the highest quality standards are met. May be called upon to perform other duties as required. All responsibilities will be conducted in a manner that is consistent with the Maplewood Senior Living philosophy. Essential Functions: Is responsible for the overall financial and operational responsibility for dining room service and culinary operations Creates and plans weekly menus within the community Ensures compliance with federal, state, and local sanitation regulations. Maintains cleanliness of all work areas Conducts routine safety inspections of dining room, food storage areas, chemical storage areas, and food receiving area. Communicates “action items” to Environmental Services Director and Executive Director Demonstrates attention to detail with regard to food quality, presentation, and dining room environmental standards. Develops and maintains quality, objective, and standards Meets with dining staff bi-monthly and reports minutes and action items to the Executive Director Develops and maintains a good working relationship with administration and inter-department personnel, as well as other communities to assure that the services offered can be properly maintained to meet the needs of the residents. Prepares all monthly food service reports Maintains food and supply expenses to budget or forecast Places orders for food and supplies through authorized vendors Completes physical food inventories Plans, develops, organizes, implements, evaluates, and directs the operations in food and beverage services Makes written and oral reports/recommendations to the Executive Director concerning the operations of the food service departments in the communities. Maintains daily log of freezer, refrigeration, hot and cold food holding temperatures Assures that the communities maintain a clean and safe manner assuring that food service safety and sanitation are maintained to perform services Supports the community and regional cluster sales efforts with marketing events, programs, etc. Provides support during sales/site visits Other duties as deemed necessary and appropriate Compliance & Safety Follows emergency procedures Understands the safety practices and procedures. Communication Possess a sincere passion for working with our senior population Creative, energetic, enthusiastic, patient, flexible, encouraging, and team oriented. Able to effectively manage dining room associates Displays patience, tact, enthusiasm and a cheerful disposition Promote Maplewood in a positive manner and effectively communicate the organizations values to residents, visitors, co-workers and the community Management Responsibilities Manages the departmental staffing and labor costs, including overtime Recruits and evaluates all culinary services staff Assures dining associates are performing job specific responsibilities • Responsible for overseeing culinary services calendar Education/Experience/Licensure/Certification Degree in Culinary Arts preferred 3 to 5 years previous experience in food production/management Must have a Serve Safe certification or become certified within 90 days of hire date Must have basic knowledge of food preparation procedures, proper dining room service etiquette as well as related Health Department regulations and guidelines pertaining to food service operations Physical Requirements Physically able to bend and reach. Physically able to push and pull and lift up to 40-50lbs at times. Physically able to stand for extended periods of time Ability to work in a hot/humid environment for extended amounts of time Is subject to burns from hot foods, cuts from knives, falls on slippery floors if caution is not used when working Tastes and smells food to determine quality and palatability Miscellaneous Required to work weekends and holidays as assigned May be required to work on shifts other than the one for which hired May be required to work extended hours up to 16 hours per day Subject to exposure to infectious waste, diseases, conditions, etc. including HIV, AIDS and Hepatitis B & C viruses Could be subject to hostile and emotionally upset residents due to mental status Background, criminal and drug test required Could be asked to submit to random drug test during employment Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

Keywords: Maplewood at Darien LLC, Portland , Culinary Services Director, Hospitality & Tourism , Darien, Maine