Role Summary: As the Head Chef at Well Seasoned, you are the creative and operational powerhouse behind our culinary brand. You will oversee all culinary operations, driving innovation for our gourmet retail selection, take-home meal programs, and thriving catering business. We are looking for a visionary leader who pairs culinary excellence with sharp financial acumen to lead our kitchen team and elevate our food offerings.
Key Responsibilities:
- Culinary Leadership & Team Management:
- Lead, mentor, and inspire the entire kitchen team across both kitchen locations.
- Responsible for hiring, training, and scheduling kitchen staff to optimize productivity.
- Coordinate closely with the Pastry Chef to ensure seamless fresh food preparation and strict quality control for both retail and catering.
- Menu Innovation & R&D:
- Develop and execute recipes for fresh and frozen retail sales, keeping our gourmet-to-go fridges and freezers exciting and relevant.
- Design and execute our weekly take-home meal program.
- Plan innovative, seasonal catering menus at least one full season in advance.
- Operations & Catering Execution:
- Partner with the Catering Manager to flawlessly execute catering orders and special events.
- Manage all kitchen ordering, product procurement, and vendor relationships, identifying new suppliers to source premium ingredients.
- Financial Control & Compliance:
- Take full accountability for kitchen profitability by managing food costing, inventory, and labour costs.
- Maintain pristine kitchen environments, ensuring strict adherence to all food safety, health, and sanitation standards.
Qualifications:
- 5+ years of experience as a Head Chef or Executive Chef, preferably with a blend of retail/grab-and-go and high-volume catering experience.
- Proven track record of managing multi-site or multi-kitchen operations.
- Strong financial acumen with deep experience in food costing and labour management.
- Valid advanced FoodSafe Certification (or regional equivalent).
Skills
- Proven supervising experience within a restaurant or hospitality environment
- Strong background in food preparation, cooking techniques, and food presentation
- Excellent team management and leadership abilities to motivate staff and foster teamwork
- In-depth knowledge of restaurant management principles, including inventory control and cost management
- Expertise in food handling, safety standards, and sanitation practices aligned with industry regulations
- Exceptional communication skills to coordinate effectively with staff and management
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced setting while maintaining attention to detail
- Passion for the food industry with a commitment to delivering exceptional guest experiences
- Experience in hospitality or restaurant settings with a focus on serving customers professionally
This role is integral to creating a welcoming atmosphere where culinary excellence meets outstanding service. We value leadership, innovation, and dedication—qualities that drive our success in the competitive food industry.
Pay: From $30.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Dental care
- Extended health care
- On-site parking
- Store discount
Work Location: In person