Job Description

$32–$35/hour |  Monday–Friday, 10am–6:30pm

Make meals that heal . Evolve Treatment Centers is hiring a Residential Chef (Cook) for our 6-bed adolescent residential treatment homes Walnut Creek/Lafayette . This is more than a culinary job — it’s a chance to use your passion for food to support teens on their healing journey.

Why You’ll Love Working Here

• Competitive pay : Walnut Creek/Lafayette $33-$35/hour

• Consistent schedule : Monday–Friday, no weekends or late nights

• Full benefits : Health, dental, vision, 401k, PTO, holidays

• Supportive culture : Small team, mission-driven work

• Beautiful workplace : Residential home setting with a welcoming kitchen

• Meaningful impact : Every meal supports a teen’s recovery and well-being

Essential Functions: 

• Prepare fresh, balanced meals for clients and on-site staff 

• Plate and serve lunch and dinner for clients Monday through Friday; ensure that enough food is prepared to provide meals to staff on-site (including Overnight Residential Counselors) as well as second servings to all clients 

• Prepare fresh re-heatable lunches and dinners for clients and staff on weekends  

• Ensure that items for continental breakfast are available for clients to self-serve 7 days per week 

• Prepare a homemade AM and a PM snack for the clients daily, Monday through Friday  

• Ensure that all meals are balanced and appropriately portioned for adolescent clients; each meal should contain a protein, a carb, and a fruit or vegetable 

• Follow the Evolve Menu Nutrition Standards in creating weekly menu and prepare meals in line with client dietary needs, including gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan, lactose-free, etc.  

• Post menus weekly and review with clients individually to determine weekly opt outs 

• Meet with clients individually after admissions to review their preferences, dietary needs and restrictions 

• Maintain inventory of food and shop 1-2 times weekly to keep the kitchen stocked 

• Ensure that the client refrigerator is stocked with whole fruit, string cheese, and yogurt 

• Purchase food within the monthly budget provided, adjusting budget based on census 

• Submit receipts at the beginning of each month for the previous month 

• Monitor functioning of all kitchen equipment and alert Facility Nurse to needed repairs and replacements 

• Properly store, handle, and prepare all food items, per licensing and accreditation standards 

• Label and dispose of food per licensing and accreditation standards 

• Post Menu each week, maintain refrigerator, freezer, and dishwasher temperature logs per licensing and accreditation standards 

• Ensure that the kitchen is kept neat and clean  

• Ensure that kitchen sharps (knives, cheese graters, peelers, etc.) are locked in the sharps box when not in use; complete the sharps sign-out log when needed 

• Provide meals and snacks for other Programs in the region if a Chef is out 

• Other duties, as assigned by Program Director 

Qualifications: 

• High School Diploma 

• Experience in food service and preparation required  

• Must hold current certification or licensure for operating a kitchen. (ServSafe, Food Handlers Card). 

• Must be 21 years or older 

• Must be able to pass a LiveScan background check and clear federal and state criminal background checks, and child abuse indexes. 

• Must be willing to interact with COVID-positive clients, as needed

Bonus Points If You Have

• Experience working with teens in a behavioral health setting, school/college or healthcare. 

• A desire to combine culinary skills with a greater purpose

Apply Today!

Bring your passion for food and care to a team making a difference. Join us at Evolve and help teens heal — one meal at a time.

For information on Evolve's privacy practices, see the Evolve California Personnel Privacy Notice located at 

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