Nicholas Rebis
Chef
Bonney Lake,WA
Summary
Accomplished culinary operations executive with 17 years of progressive experience in food service management across senior living communities, institutional dining, and high-capacity commercial kitchens. Adept at leveraging evidence-based practices in menu engineering, regulatory compliance, fiscal stewardship, and workforce development. A proven leader in long-term care dining services, with a documented history of optimizing nutritional programming, elevating food service quality, and achieving sustainable operational improvements.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Culinary Services Director
GenCare Lifestyle
01.2024 - 05.2025
- Designed and deployed dynamic, seasonally informed menus that advanced culinary variety and revenue performance in a senior living setting.
- Provided strategic leadership for a culinary staff of 26, standardizing production protocols and reinforcing compliance with federal and state sanitation statutes.
- Integrated inventory control analytics and just-in-time procurement methodologies to reduce perishables waste and food cost volatility.
- Introduced gluten-free and specialty diet accommodations that significantly enhanced resident satisfaction metrics and institutional reputation.
- Conducted recurring in-service education focused on culinary technique refinement, hygienic practices, and hospitality-driven service models.
- Cultivated enduring partnerships with regional suppliers to ensure continuity of premium product sourcing within budgetary constraints.
- Planned and orchestrated the comprehensive setup and menu design for SEC functions and corporate catering initiatives.
Director of Dining Services
Senior Services of America
08.2022 - 01.2024
- Developed therapeutic and palatable menus aligned with the complex dietary needs of aging populations, integrating both clinical and cultural considerations.
- Partnered with programmatic departments to create interdisciplinary culinary events designed to promote resident engagement and well-being.
- Ensured full adherence to regulatory standards governing institutional nutrition and food handling, including those issued by CMS and local health authorities.
- Authored and delivered staff development curricula emphasizing gerontological nutrition, sanitation protocol, and risk mitigation strategies.
- Applied data-informed financial oversight to maintain budgetary discipline without degrading service quality or staff retention.
Dining Services Director
Village Concepts
01.2020 - 07.2022
- Spearheaded menu innovation efforts tailored to the evolving gustatory profiles and medical considerations of senior clientele.
- Conceptualized and implemented dining formats that fostered social interaction and reinforced community values.
- Led staff training in advanced food safety procedures, including HACCP implementation, allergen control, and cross-contact avoidance.
- Directed procurement and inventory operations, deploying waste minimization strategies to enhance operational sustainability.
Food Service Director
Summit Food Services
03.2018 - 01.2020
- Engineered nutritionally balanced and regulation-compliant menus for school-aged populations within institutional frameworks.
- Streamlined kitchen workflows, enhancing throughput and reducing redundant labor expenditures.
- Launched comprehensive food waste diversion and sustainability programming that aligned with state environmental goals.
- Ensured compliance with USDA nutritional and food safety regulations, achieving exemplary results in third-party inspections.
Cook / Kitchen Lead
Grandview Terrace Sun Health
07.2016 - 03.2018
- Oversaw all facets of culinary production within a long-term care environment, balancing clinical dietary restrictions with culinary quality.
- Placed food and supply orders, managed inventory, and handled budgeting responsibilities.
Lead Cook
Brookdale Heritage Palmeras
01.2014 - 01.2016
- Acquired foundational competencies in high-volume culinary operations, including batch preparation, line cooking, and front-of-house service, with increasing responsibility across diverse service models.
Cook
Golden Corral
01.2011 - 01.2014
- Acquired foundational competencies in high-volume culinary operations, including batch preparation, line cooking, and front-of-house service, with increasing responsibility across diverse service models.
Team Member
Paradise Bakery
01.2008 - 01.2011
- Acquired foundational competencies in high-volume culinary operations, including batch preparation, line cooking, and front-of-house service, with increasing responsibility across diverse service models.
Education
GED -
Westwind Academy
Phoenix, AZ 05.2001 -
Skills
Team management
Cost control
Food quality
Kitchen management
Menu development
Meal preparation
Food safety and sanitation
Purchasing
Knife skills
Cooking techniques
Timeline
Culinary Services Director
GenCare Lifestyle
01.2024 - 05.2025
Director of Dining Services
Senior Services of America
08.2022 - 01.2024
Dining Services Director
Village Concepts
01.2020 - 07.2022
Food Service Director
Summit Food Services
03.2018 - 01.2020
Cook / Kitchen Lead
Grandview Terrace Sun Health
07.2016 - 03.2018
Lead Cook
Brookdale Heritage Palmeras
01.2014 - 01.2016
Cook
Golden Corral
01.2011 - 01.2014
Team Member
Paradise Bakery
01.2008 - 01.2011
GED -
Westwind Academy
05.2001 -