Job Description

About Enso Village

Enso Village is a Zen-inspired community with a focus on mindful aging, the joys of nature, sustainability and contemplative life and care for adults 60+. Enso Village is a collaborative endeavor between the Kendal Corporation—an esteemed, nationally recognized leader in senior living guided by the Quaker values of its founders—and the San Francisco Zen Center, one of the first Zen Buddhist organizations in the US, founded by Shunryu Suzuki Roshi.

Enso Village is informed by a set of nine Guiding Principles. These are based on the awareness that we are all connected. We share a commitment to compassion and strive to pay careful attention to the details of everyday life.

As America’s first and only Zen-inspired senior living community, Enso Village is a workplace like no other place you have ever worked. Here, our staff and residents engage fully and form close and meaningful relationships. We seek to uphold our professionalism and our humanity in equal measure. We listen with open minds and hearts. We learn something meaningful from every person and every experience. Sustaining others is what sustains us.

The Role

The Executive Chef supports the Director of Nourishment in leading the culinary program at Enso Village. This role ensures that every meal prepared and served embodies Enso’s values of quality, mindfulness, and care, meeting both resident satisfaction and regulatory requirements.

The Executive Chef is responsible for day-to-day kitchen management, menu execution, staff supervision, and quality assurance. Working in close collaboration with the Director, the Executive Chef helps translate strategic goals into exceptional dining experiences for residents, staff, and guests. This position plays a key role in maintaining an efficient, safe, and positive culinary environment that aligns with the Director’s vision and the community’s mission.

Key Responsibilities

Culinary Operations

• Oversees daily food preparation, cooking, and presentation in all dining venues.
• Implements menus and recipes developed collaboratively with the Director, ensuring nutritional balance and resident satisfaction.
• Maintains compliance with DSS Title 22, CDPH, and HACCP standards in all food handling and preparation.
• Oversees proper portion control, food temperatures, and plating standards.
• Conducts daily inspections of kitchen and storage areas to ensure cleanliness and organization.

Team Leadership

• Supervises kitchen staff, providing training, coaching, and performance feedback.
• Lead, train, and supervise kitchen staff and other support personnel.
• Evaluate staff performance and provide constructive feedback to promote growth and development.
• Promotes teamwork between culinary, dining room, and resident services teams.
• Partners closely with the Director to ensure staffing levels, scheduling, and performance standards meet operational goals.
• Provides leadership and mentorship to sous chefs, cooks, and kitchen support staff.
• Acts as Manager on Duty as assigned.

Fiscal and Inventory Management

• Assists the Director in managing food and labor budgets.
• Oversees ordering, receiving, and storage of food and supplies to maintain quality and control waste.
• Ensures accurate inventory levels and adherence to purchasing procedures.
• Partners with the Director in evaluating vendor performance and cost control strategies.

Quality and Compliance

• Ensures all food meets Enso Village standards for taste, presentation, and nutritional value.
• Enforces safe work practices, including food safety, infection control, and proper use of equipment.
• Maintains required records and participates in inspections and audits.
• Ensures all culinary staff complete required trainings in food safety and RCFE compliance.

Resident Engagement

• Engages with residents to gather feedback on meals and dining experiences.
• Supports special events, catering, and themed dining programs.
• Promotes the Enso Village philosophy of hospitality, warmth, and attention to detail.

Collaboration and Communication

• Works in partnership with the Director of Nourishment to align operational decisions with departmental strategy.
• Communicates effectively with dining, wellness, and facilities teams to ensure smooth coordination of meal service.
• Contributes ideas for menu innovation, sustainability, and resident engagement.

Qualifications

• Culinary Degree from an accredited institution required; Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality or related field preferred.
• Minimum five (5) years of progressive experience in fine dining, hospitality, or senior living culinary management.
• ServSafe Manager Certification required; Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) preferred.
• Strong understanding of RCFE dietary and regulatory standards.
• Demonstrated ability to lead diverse teams and maintain quality under pressure.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office 365 and culinary management software.
• Must be available to work evenings, weekends and holidays as needed.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand, walk, bend, and stoop for extended periods.
• Must be able to lift, push, and pull up to 50 pounds.
• Frequent exposure to heat, open flames, and kitchen cleaning chemicals.
• Must maintain excellent personal hygiene and compliance with infection control standards.

Compensation and Benefits:

Enso Village is committed to equal pay and transparency. The salary range for this position is $104,000 to $118,000. This range provided as a general guideline and compensation decisions are dependent on a variety of factors, including candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, external non-profit market data, and business considerations.

We provide team members with a supportive and inclusive work environment focused on health and well-being. Eligible team members are offered comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Comprehensive Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision coverage available starting on your first day of employment.
• Life & Disability Insurance: Company-paid life insurance and long-term disability coverage.
• Retirement Savings: 403(b) plan with a generous employer match to help you plan for the future.
• Generous Paid Time Off: Paid annual vacation, sick days, personal days, and holidays.
• Healthy Meals: Subsidized organic, nutritious meals available daily.
• Professional Development: Opportunities for ongoing career growth and development within the organization.

We value applicants of all different backgrounds, experiences, and skill sets. If you think you could excel in this role (regardless of whether you meet all of the qualifications), we encourage you to apply. Enso Village is an equal opportunity employer which means that we consider applicants for hire and make employment decisions without unlawful discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, pregnancy, military or veteran status, disability, age, genetic information, or other legally protected status. We are committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to job applicants who request an accommodation.