Executive Chef

Company: Morrison Healthcare
Location: Lexington
Posted on: February 17, 2026

Job Description:

Job Description Job Description Executive Chef (Patient Dining) Salary: $80,000-95,000 Other Forms of Compensation: $10,000 Sign On Bonus, Relocation Assistance Location: Lexington, KY Schedule: Monday through Friday from 6am to 4:30 or 5:00pm, with manager-on-duty weekend rotation (currently every 10th weekend) Morrison Healthcare is a leading national food and nutrition services company exclusively dedicated to serving more than 600 hospitals and healthcare systems. Morrison's hospital kitchens, restaurants, and cafés feature socially responsible practices and exceptional guest experiences. The company's comprehensive Mindful Choices® wellness and sustainability platform includes the latest in healthful eating and an understanding of behavioral change in food consumption. Morrison's alignment with Partnership for a Healthier America's (PHA) Hospital Healthy Food Initiative positively impacts up to 41 million patients and 500 million hospital meals annually. Morrison has been named one of Modern Healthcare's "Top 100 Best Places to Work in Healthcare" for the past five years, and Training Magazine's Top 125 organizations for the past six consecutive years. The company is a division of Compass Group and has more than 1,200 registered dietitians, 300 executive chefs, and 17,000 professional food service team members. Job Summary We are offering a $10,000 Sign On Bonus and Relocation Assistance! Morrison Healthcare is seeking an accomplished and dynamic Executive Chef to lead our comprehensive culinary operations. This pivotal role is responsible for overseeing all food production across our 1000-bed patient feeding program and managing four distinct retail café operations. The ideal candidate is a culinary expert with proven high-volume management experience, strong financial acumen, and an unwavering commitment to quality, safety, and patient satisfaction within a regulated healthcare environment. You will lead, mentor, and inspire a large team of 50 staff to deliver exceptional, safe, and nutritious dining experiences 24/7. Key Responsibilities Culinary and Quality Leadership Menu Development: Design, test, and implement innovative, cycle, and seasonal menus for both patient and retail dining, ensuring adherence to therapeutic diets, nutritional guidelines, and ingredient availability. Recipe Standardization: Follow, establish and maintain comprehensive recipe and plating standards to guarantee consistency, quality, and accurate nutritional analysis across all production areas. Cost Control and Budgeting: Manage food and labor costs, monitoring inventory levels, minimizing waste, and working closely with purchasing to meet budgetary targets without compromising food quality. Food Presentation: Elevate the overall quality, presentation, and taste of all prepared items, maintaining high culinary standards that compete with commercial dining establishments. Operational Management & Safety High-Volume Production Oversight: Direct daily operations for a large-scale, 24/7 cook-chill and conventional production environment, including patient tray line, catering, and retail production kitchens. The daily patient meal census at this location is 2,100, and the combined sales of our 4 retail outlets are $12M annually. Team Leadership & Development (50 Staff): Recruit, hire, train, mentor, and performance-manage the entire culinary, kitchen, and utility staff, fostering a culture of accountability, teamwork, and continuous skill improvement. Regulatory Compliance: Ensure strict compliance with all local, state, and federal health codes, including Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) standards, JCAHO requirements, and all internal food safety protocols. Equipment Maintenance: Oversee the proper use, maintenance, and repair of all kitchen equipment, coordinating with facilities management to maintain a safe and functional work environment. Retail & Service Enhancement Café Management: Direct the operational flow and culinary offerings of four distinct on-site retail cafes, developing specials and promotions to maximize sales and customer satisfaction. Customer Experience: Analyze retail trends and feedback (patient and guest) to continuously improve offerings and service excellence in a diverse, high-traffic setting. Required Qualifications Education: Associate's degree in Culinary Arts, Hospitality Management, or a related field; OR equivalent combination of education and extensive, related professional experience. Certification: ServSafe Experience: A minimum of 5 years of progressive culinary management experience, with at least 3 years in an Executive Chef or Culinary Director role managing high-volume, multi-unit operations (e.g., healthcare, corporate dining, university campus). Leadership: Demonstrated experience leading and developing a large team (50 staff members) in a 24/7 operation. Knowledge: Deep expertise in therapeutic and modified diets, nutrition principles, and HACCP standards. Technology: Proficiency with computerized menu management systems, inventory software, and Microsoft Office Suite. Zoom or MS Teams for virtual meetings. Preferred Qualifications Experience managing food service operations within a large acute care hospital setting. Proven success in increasing retail café revenue and managing multiple P&L statements. Apply to Morrison Healthcare today! Morrison Healthcare is a member of Compass Group USA Click here to Learn More about the Compass Story Associates at Morrison Healthcare are offered many fantastic benefits. Medical Dental Vision Life Insurance/ AD Disability Insurance Retirement Plan Flexible Time Off Paid Parental Leave Holiday Time Off (varies by site/state) Personal Leave Associate Shopping Program Health and Wellness Programs Discount Marketplace Identity Theft Protection Pet Insurance Commuter Benefits Employee Assistance Program Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) Associates may also be eligible for paid and/or unpaid time off benefits in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. For positions in Washington State, Maryland, or to be performed Remotely, click here for paid time off benefits information. Compass Group is an equal opportunity employer. At Compass, we are committed to treating all Applicants and Associates fairly based on their abilities, achievements, and experience without regard to race, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other classification protected by law. Qualified candidates must be able to perform the essential functions of this position satisfactorily with or without a reasonable accommodation. Disclaimer: this job post is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all essential responsibilities, skills, tasks, or requirements associated with this position. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the position posted, the Company reserves the right to modify or change the essential functions of the job based on business necessity. We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with a criminal history (including relevant driving history), in a manner consistent with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the New York Fair Chance Act. We encourage applicants with a criminal history (and driving history) to apply. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis. Morrison Healthcare maintains a drug-free workplace. Req ID: 1483240 Morrison Healthcare STACEY MOONEY [[req_classification]]

Keywords: Morrison Healthcare, Covington , Executive Chef, Hospitality & Tourism , Lexington, Kentucky