Covenant Shores has tapped the culinary talent of Gerald (Jerry) Phipps, an award-winning local chef with more than 35 years of experience, to serve as executive chef at the faith-based, nonprofit continuing care retirement community. He is employed by the community’s dining services provider Sodexo and will report to Covenant Shores dining services Director Michele Bergley, according to a press release sent June 1.

As executive chef, Phipps will manage day-to-day food operations for the 370-person resident community, including casual and formal dining in the residential, assisted living and health care settings. He will manage and train a staff of 30 in kitchen and dining.

“I developed a love for the culinary arts at an early age, often in the kitchen at the feet of my mother and grandmother, both of whom were exceptional cooks,” Phipps said in a statement. “I look forward to cooking for my new family at Covenant Shores.”

Before entering the senior living industry as an executive chef and culinary services director for an upscale independent living community in Seattle, Phipps worked in Washington’s culinary scene, where for 13 years he was executive chef and president of award-winning Caruso’s Italian Café. He trained as sous chef for Master Italian Chef Alessandro Fasani for five years before serving as executive chef of Fasani’s restaurant. He later served as general manager of a Northwest cuisine and seafood restaurant.

“Dining at Covenant Shores is a special experience, one where our residents enjoy high-quality food that is deliciously prepared and creatively presented,” Executive Director Bruce Erickson said in a statement. “We’re excited Jerry has joined our dining team.”

Phipps lives in Bothell.

Covenant Shores, a faith-based, nonprofit, continuing care retirement community, is located at 9150 Fortuna Drive, Mercer Island. For more, call 877-385-8613 or visit www.covenantshores.org.