Job Title

An Extraordinary Opportunity Awaits - V!VA Leaside Opens in 2026! Would you like to fill your time with meaningful, fulfilling work for Seniors? Join the exclusive launch team at V!VA Leaside - Toronto's premier luxury retirement residence Craft a truly exceptional lifestyle experience from the ground up in one of the city's most prestigious neighbourhoods Join a company that believes in Making Today Great! Be a part of a distinguished founding team curating an exceptional lifestyle experience for our Community Members from day one Surround yourself with excellence, compassion, and innovation - and discover why we are Happier Here! Enjoy competitive salary, health benefits, team meals, vacation, sick pay, and more! You. You have a passion to raise the bar in the retirement industry. Youre an energetic, motivated leader who inspires others to deliver the highest standards of performance, hospitality, and customer service. You thrive in a fast-paced culinary environment and bring creativity, innovation, and strong people leadership to everything you do. If service, excellence, and making a real difference in peoples lives are important to you wed love to hear from you. Us. What do you get when a team of experienced industry professionals combine their passion and decide it is time to raise the bar in the retirement living industry? You get V!VA Retirement Communities. At V!VA, we arent about grand statements or lofty ideals. We are a group of Canadians committed to bringing the right mix of people together to inspire each other and deliver the highest standards of customer service and performance in the retirement industry. At V!VA we put people first. We are looking for just the right person who shares V!VAs mission - Making Today Great! The Career As the Executive Chef, you will assume full responsibility for kitchen operations overseeing your culinary team and directing the preparation of all meals within the Community. Reporting to the Community Director, you will be empowered to manage all aspects of the kitchen while continuously improving the dining experience, quality standards, and team environment. You will play a key role in delivering the V!VAlicious Program and ensuring meals are delicious, nutritious, and consistently exceptional for our Community Members. Key Responsibilities Commit to and implement the key components of the V!VAlicious program Select and develop recipes to attract and satisfy potential and existing Community Members Manage kitchen within budget allowance for both expense and labour; actively participate in the annual budget process and reconcile monthly explaining all variances Create 5 week menu plans that incorporate the Canadas Food Guide Work closely with the Culinary Services Manager to deliver superior service to the Community Members Assist in Team Member supervision, optimizing individual and team performance through effective leadership, mentoring, and direction Actively participate in the Orange Dot Program by living the V!VA values and acknowledging others for doing the same Establish food presentation techniques and quality standards Standardize production of recipes to ensure consistent quality; also adjust or adapt recipes to accommodate specific dietary needs, whenever possible Adhere to all proper handling, labeling, and storage protocols for all foods Properly maintain documentation of all temperature charts and records Ensure proper equipment maintenance and operations; and Maintain impeccable personal hygiene as well as high work, health and safety standards Qualifications 3-5 years of Kitchen/Culinary Management experience Preferred experience in the Health Field or Retirement Home Industry Preopening experience supporting building and operational readiness is considered an asset Red Seal Certification required Kitchen management and protocols experience a definite asset Must have experience with operating multiple kitchens/serveries Previous experience with control food cost, menu development, and development of culinary team required Must be innovative and creative in menu ideas for adult population Strong customer orientation to older adults Ability to identify problems and resolve them quickly and efficiently Must possess solid leadership and communication skills Positive attitude, enthusiasm and energy Able to bend, stretch, sit and stand for long periods Able to lift a maximum of 50 lbs Ability to work flexible hours and some weekends Why Join V!VA Leaside? This is more than a job its a career-defining opportunity to be part of something special from the very beginning. If you're passionate about culinary excellence, inspiring teams, leadership, and creating memorable dining experiences for seniors, apply today and experience why we are Happier Here! V!VA Retirement Communities welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process. Successful applicants will be required to show proof of eligibility to work in Canada for the next 6 months. V!VA Retirement works and operates in the vulnerable sector and the wellbeing of our community members and team members is important. For this reason, V!VA Retirement Communities requires that all new Team Members are vaccinated for COVID19. Accommodation, including for those who cannot be vaccinated for COVID19 due to religious or medical reasons, will be provided in accordance with V!VA Retirements obligations under the Ontario Human Rights Code, as amended from time to time, and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, as amended from time to time. Additional Information Annual Salary: $68 - $74K We use AI tools in screening applications Vacancy Status: New Role #J-18808-Ljbffr