Join the Brookdale Palmer Ranch team today!

• We are a 160 unit continuing care retirement community, or CCRC, which means we have Assisted Living, Memory Care and Skilled Nursing all on one beautiful campus.


• Career advancement opportunities.


• Staff Appreciation Events


• Amazing team atmosphere along with an energized and service focused team.

Brookdale Palmer Ranch is searching for an experienced Executive Chef!

Are you passionate about delivering an exceptional dining experience that highlights both your culinary expertise and refined hospitality skills? We are seeking a visionary leader with a proven track record in food and beverage management to oversee the dining operations of a prestigious, upscale Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC).

As the Executive Chef, you'll have the opportunity to create a memorable dining experience that fosters personal connections with residents, all while showcasing your culinary skills and passion. This is an exciting opportunity for those with experience in high-end hospitality who want to make a meaningful impact on a vibrant community—while enjoying a great work-life balance.

If you're ready to elevate the dining experience and lead with excellence, all while enjoying a healthy balance between work and personal life, we invite you to apply and explore this exciting opportunity!

Recognized by Newsweek in 2024 and 2025 as one of America's Greatest Workplaces for Diversity

Do you love the creativity of being a Chef but hate the late nights and hectic weekends? With thousands of recipes to choose from, and the ability to add your own, Brookdale is the place for you.  Quality is what we pride ourselves on and listening to our residents in the development of our menus is key.  If you are passionate about leading a team, have high expectations when it comes to sanitation and food safety and would enjoy making a positive impact on the lives of seniors  then this is an opportunity you don’t want to miss.  Apply with us today to experience the uniqueness of senior living dining.   

Make Lives Better Including Your Own.

If you want to work in an environment where you can become your best possible self, join us! You’ll earn more than a paycheck; you can find opportunities to grow your career through professional development, as well as ongoing programs catered to your overall health and wellness. Full suite of health insurance, life insurance and retirement plans are available and vary by employment status.

Part and Full Time Benefits Eligibility

• Medical, Dental, Vision insurance
• 401(k)
• Associate assistance program
• Employee discounts
• Referral program
• Early access to earned wages for hourly associates (outside of CA)
• Optional voluntary benefits including ID theft protection and pet insurance

Full Time Only Benefits Eligibility

• Paid Time Off
• Paid holidays
• Company provided life insurance
• Adoption benefit
• Disability (short and long term)
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Health Savings Account
• Optional life and dependent life insurance
• Optional voluntary benefits including accident, critical illness and hospital indemnity Insurance, and legal plan 
• Tuition reimbursement

Base pay in range will be determined by applicant’s skills and experience. Role is also eligible for team based bonus opportunities. Temporary associates are not benefits eligible but may participate in the company’s 401(k) program.

Veterans, transitioning active duty military personnel, and military spouses are encouraged to apply. To support our associates in their journey to become a U.S. citizen, Brookdale offers to advance fees for naturalization (Form N-400) application costs, up to $725, less applicable taxes and withholding, for qualified associates who have been with us for at least a year.

The application window is anticipated to close within 30 days of the date of the posting.

Oversees daily operations of the kitchen and ensures the highest quality food products. Directly supervises and trains kitchen personnel on all related culinary activities.

1. Oversees breakfast, lunch and dinner for quality assurance of meal presentation and portion control.
2. Selects recipes, prepares and coordinates all meals. Coordinates prep for the following day’s menu.
3. Creates new dishes and develops recipes, standardizing recipes to ensure consistent quality. Establishes presentation technique and quality standards. Plans, modifies and develops menus.
4. Performs a pre-meal meeting with food servers to review detail of daily menu.
5. Ensures an adequate number of culinary associates each shift and ensures absences are covered.
6. Estimates food consumption and requisitions food purchases. Monitors and maintains inventory.
7. Assists in the adherence to maintaining budget compliance for daily food costs.
8. Assists in applying appropriate loss prevention procedures.
9. Assists in hiring, training, scheduling, disciplining and terminating associates. Provides training for all kitchen staff.
10. Assists in the coordination and execution of special events.
11. Maintains kitchen cleanliness and food preparation according to state and local health department code requirements. Ensures all kitchen equipment is in working order and kept clean at all times. Oversees the proper inventory, storage and use of cleaning chemicals. Keeps waste to a minimum by utilizing food storage and food recycling techniques.

This job description represents an overview of the responsibilities for the above referenced position. It is not intended to represent a comprehensive list of responsibilities. An associate should perform all duties as assigned by his/her supervisor.

#ZR-CT

Education and Experience
Associate’s degree (A.A) or equivalent from two year college or technical school. Two to four years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Certifications, Licenses, and Other Special Requirements
ServSafe Certified. Obtain/hold any local, state and/or county required food handling/sanitation licenses and/or certificates.

Management and Decision Making
Applies existing guidelines and procedures to make varied decisions within a department. Uses sound judgment and experience to solve moderately complex problems based on precedent, example, reasonableness or a combination of these.

Knowledge and Skills
Possesses extensive knowledge of a distinct skill or function and a thorough understanding of the organization and work environment. Has working knowledge of a functional discipline. Effective customer service skills and the ability to lead and supervise a diverse group of people. Ability to coordinate the daily production of menus, recipes and food preparation. Capable of managing multiple job tasks including the preparation of several foods at the same time. Excellent cooking skills and an understanding of food preparation principles, ingredients and culinary terminology. Ability to modify and develop creative recipes and menus that are healthy and satisfying to the residents. Ability to understand and apply sanitation principles.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions

• Standing
• Requires interaction with co-workers, residents or vendors
• Walking
• Sitting
• Occasional weekend, evening or night work if needed to ensure shift coverage.
• Use hands and fingers to handle or feel
• Reach with hands and arms
• Possible exposure to communicable diseases and infections
• Climb or balance
• Stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl
• Talk or hear
• Taste or smell
• Exposure to latex
• Ability to lift: Up to 50 pounds
• Possible exposure to blood-borne pathogens
• Possible exposure to various drugs, chemical, infectious, or biological hazards
• Subject to injury from falls, burns, odors, or cuts from equipment
• Vision

Brookdale is an equal opportunity employer and a drug-free workplace.