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 Sous Chef supports the Executive Chef in overseeing daily kitchen operations to ensure high-quality, consistent meal service for residents, guests, and team members at Enso Village. This role is responsible for supervising culinary team members, maintaining food safety and sanitation standards, supporting menu execution, and ensuring a positive dining experience.

The Sous Chef leads kitchen operations during assigned shifts and assists with training, production planning, quality control, and maintaining an organized and efficient culinary environment.

Key Responsibilities

Kitchen Operations & Food Production

• Supports the Executive Chef in managing daily production kitchen operations to ensure consistent, high-quality meal service.
• Prepares menu items according to standardized recipes and production schedules using classical and contemporary cooking methods.
• Ensures proper portioning, plating, and presentation standards are met prior to service.
• Taste-tests and evaluates food before service to ensure quality, flavor, and presentation standards are met.
• Oversees food preparation to ensure timely execution of service in all dining venues.
• Ensures adherence to menu specifications, dietary guidelines, and special requests.
• Assists with food preparation and production as needed to support kitchen operations, particularly during peak service periods.

Food Safety & Sanitation

• Follows and enforces safe food handling procedures with strict attention to HACCP and critical control temperatures.
• Maintains food temperature logs, production records, and sanitation documentation.
• Ensures all kitchen equipment, utensils, and workspaces are cleaned and sanitized during and after each shift.
• Maintains compliance with federal, state, and local health regulations.

Team Leadership & Training

• Supervises kitchen team members during assigned shifts and in the absence of the Executive Chef.
• Provides guidance, coaching, and support to team members to maintain quality and efficiency.
• Assists with onboarding, training, and mentoring of new kitchen team members.
• Helps evaluate performance and supports a positive, collaborative kitchen culture.

Production Planning & Inventory Support

• Assists with food production planning to ensure adequate preparation for meal service and events.
• Supports proper product rotation using the First-In, First-Out (FIFO) method.
• Works collaboratively with the Executive Chef and Purchasing Coordinator to maintain appropriate product levels.
• Assists with inventory monitoring, waste reduction, and cost-control initiatives.

Quality & Resident Experience

• Ensures food quality, presentation, and service standards reflect the hospitality expectations of Enso Village.
• Supports a resident-centered dining experience and responds professionally to feedback.
• Assists with special events, catering, and community functions as needed.

Operational Support

• Operates kitchen equipment safely and efficiently.
• Demonstrates strong knife skills and knowledge of proper cutting techniques.
• Maintains an organized and safe work environment.
• Performs other duties as assigned to support the Nourishment team.

Position Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Culinary degree or certificate in Culinary Arts preferred.
• Minimum 3–5 years of culinary experience, preferably in restaurants, hotels, fine dining, or senior living communities.
• Prior experience supervising kitchen staff preferred.
• ServSafe Food Protection Certification or ability to obtain upon hire preferred.
• Strong knowledge of food safety, sanitation standards, and kitchen operations.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced kitchen environment.
• Flexibility to work varying shifts, including evenings, weekends and holidays, as needed.
• Ability to effectively communicate with team members and residents, understand and follow work instructions, and comply with workplace safety procedures.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to bend, stoop, and reach to access ingredients and equipment in low cabinets, high shelves, or confined spaces.
• Ability to stand and walk for up to 90% of the workday.
• Ability to lift, carry, push, or pull up to 50 pounds.
• May be exposed to hot and cold temperatures from ovens, grills, and freezers.
• Ability to tolerate warm and humid kitchen environments.
• Ability to safely operate kitchen equipment and utensils with strong manual dexterity and knife skills.

Compensation and Benefits:

Enso Village is committed to equal pay and transparency. The salary range for this position is $32.00 to $38.00 per hour. 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.