Would you like to fill the time with fulfilling work for Seniors? Join a company that believes in Making Today Great! Work for a Premier Retirement Community and employer in Oakville Be a part of a team that shares a passion for making a positive impact and see why we are Happier Here™!

Enjoy competitive salary and health benefits, team meals, vacation, sick pay and more! You. You have a passion to raise the bar in the retirement industry. You’re 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 people’s lives are important to you — we’d 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 aren’t 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!VA’s 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 Canada’s Food Guide

Work closely with the Culinary Services Manager to deliver superior service to the Community Members

Assists 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.

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 creative 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. 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 well-being 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 COVID-19.

Accommodation, including for those who cannot be vaccinated for COVID-19 due to religious or medical reasons, will be provided in accordance with V!VA Retirement’s 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: $67 - $72K

We use AI tools in screening applications

Vacancy Status: New Role

📌 Executive Chef (Oakville)
🏢 VIVA Retirement Communities
📍 Oakville