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. 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.

 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.
• Pre-opening 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.

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: $68 - $74K
• We use AI tools in screening applications
• Vacancy Status: New Role