Discover what working in Atria dining and culinary roles is really like – from recognition and growth opportunities to pay, benefits and a people-first culture inspired by the legacy of Chef Dominic Giroux.
If you’re a chef or culinary professional thinking about your next job, you may be asking a few important questions.
Will my work be recognized?
Can I grow here, or will I get stuck?
Do people care about how I cook, or only how fast I work?
At Atria, those questions are exactly why the Dominic Giroux FLAME Award exists.
FLAME is not just an award. It shows what matters at Atria, how we support our culinary teams and the kind of leadership we look for in our dining spaces.
What is the Dominic Giroux FLAME Award?
In 2026, Atria is introducing a new chapter in culinary recognition with the Dominic Giroux FLAME Award.
FLAME stands for:
- Flavor
- Leadership
- Artistry
- Mentorship
- Excellence
The award builds on Atria’s former ACE (Atria Culinary Excellence) Award. It’s named in honor of Chef Dominic Giroux, who helped lead Atria culinary teams across Canada and the U.S. He was known for his skill, his warmth and the care he showed for others.
FLAME is based on clear performance measures that reflect everyday dining experiences. These include resident dining satisfaction, food quality and variety, speed of service and strong kitchen standards.
But numbers alone are not enough.
As John Hetzel, VP of Culinary at Atria, often shares, great chefs also know how to connect with residents and support their teams. That kind of connection matters just as much as results.
Why this matters if you’re job hunting
If you’ve worked in kitchens before, some challenges may feel familiar.
You can do great work and still feel unseen. Promotions may focus on output instead of leadership. You may be asked to take on more responsibility without the support to grow. And sometimes, workplace “culture” is talked about, but never truly measured.
FLAME was designed to change how culinary work is recognized.
Here’s what it shows about working at Atria:
Your work is measured and valued.
Performance is tracked in clear ways and reviewed over time.
Leadership matters.
Helping others learn and grow is just as important as cooking well.
Recognition leads to opportunity.
FLAME honorees receive:
- A custom chef coat with a FLAME patch
- A professional chef’s knife
- A plaque displayed in their community
- Recognition in front of regional leaders
- The opportunity to design and serve a featured menu for Atria’s corporate leadership team
This recognition isn’t just for show. It helps build visibility and long-term career growth.
Who Dominic Giroux was – and why his name matters
Dominic Giroux is not remembered only because he was a talented chef.
He is remembered because of how he showed up for people.
He greeted residents before stepping into the kitchen. He dressed up for events and made dining more fun. He set high standards and helped others reach them.
Colleagues remember him serving residents in costume during the holidays. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he hosted virtual dinners and cooked alongside teammates and their families from his own home.
That mix of skill, kindness and leadership is what FLAME is meant to honor and continue.
What growth looks like in Atria’s culinary careers
Some chefs wonder whether senior living limits career growth. FLAME shows a different kind of career path – one that values people as much as performance.
At Atria, some culinary leaders go on to support more than one community as they grow. That growth can include mentoring others, building teams and stepping into regional leadership roles. Strong performance can also lead to being seen and recognized across the company.
Most importantly, your work has daily impact. You are cooking for residents you know, not serving an anonymous crowd.
Recent resident feedback shows that ratings for food, variety and service are going up. That progress comes from investing in the people doing the work every day.
Is Atria the right fit for you?
Atria may be a good fit if you:
- Care about food and people
- Want clear, honest feedback
- Believe hospitality should feel personal
- Are ready to lead, not just follow
FLAME exists to recognize chefs who want more than a job – and to attract others who feel the same.
Looking ahead
The Dominic Giroux FLAME Award is already shaping how Atria hires, supports and celebrates its culinary teams. We’ll be sharing more about the first FLAME honorees soon.
If you’re thinking about your next step as a chef, this is the kind of workplace we’re building – every day, across our dining teams.