Location: Hyatt Regency Toronto
Department: Culinary / Kitchen
Reports To: Sous Chef / Executive Chef
Employment Status: Full-Time
Status: Replacement
Do you want to make a difference in the lives of those around you, be part of something bigger, and love where you work?
Join a workplace that values respect, integrity, inclusion, empathy, experimentation, and well-being. At Hyatt, diversity, equity, and inclusion are central to our purpose: to care for people so they can be their best.
The First Cook is responsible for the preparation, cooking, and presentation of food for restaurant, banquet, and colleague dining operations at Hyatt Regency Toronto. This position supports the Sous Chef and Executive Chef in maintaining Hyatt's culinary standards while ensuring compliance with food safety, sanitation, and health and safety requirements.
The successful candidate will contribute to delivering exceptional guest experiences through high-quality food preparation, operational excellence, and teamwork.
- Starting Wage: CAD 24.45 per hour during probation
- After Probation: CAD 30.56 per hour
- Minimum 4 years of cooking experience in a hotel, restaurant, banquet, or related hospitality environment
- Culinary diploma or equivalent culinary training preferred
- Valid Food Handler Certification required
- Strong knowledge of food preparation, food safety, sanitation, and HACCP principles
- Ability to communicate effectively with guests, colleagues, and management
- Strong organizational and time-management skills
- Ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced environment
- Ability to lift up to 70 lbs
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team
- Must be legally entitled to work in Canada
The First Cook is responsible for preparing and presenting food in accordance with Hyatt brand standards and established culinary specifications. Duties include, but are not limited to:
- Preparing, cooking, and presenting menu items according to recipes, portion standards, and presentation guidelines
- Leading and maintaining an assigned kitchen station during service
- Preparing meats, seafood, vegetables, sauces, soups, stocks, and other menu components
- Supporting banquet, catering, and special event food production
- Completing daily mise en place requirements and ensuring readiness for service
- Monitoring food quality, consistency, taste, and presentation standards
- Maintaining appropriate inventory levels and communicating supply needs
- Ensuring proper food storage, labeling, dating, rotation, and FIFO procedures
- Assisting with receiving, storing, and organizing food products and supplies
- Maintaining a clean, organized, and safe work environment
- Following all Board of Health regulations, HACCP requirements, and company food safety standards
- Reporting equipment concerns, shortages, spoilage, or safety hazards to management
- Supporting cost-control initiatives through proper product utilization and waste reduction
- Assisting in menu preparation, new menu implementation, and culinary innovation initiatives
- Collaborating with culinary and hotel teams to ensure smooth operations and guest satisfaction
- Maintaining professional communication and contributing to a positive team culture
- Performing other duties as assigned by management
- Ability to stand and walk for extended periods
- Frequent bending, lifting, pushing, pulling, and carrying
- Exposure to hot surfaces, commercial kitchen equipment, and cleaning chemicals
- Shift work including days, evenings, weekends, holidays, and peak business periods
- Hours of work and overtime managed in accordance with the Ontario Employment Standards Act (ESA)
- Meal and rest periods provided as required by law
Employees are expected to:
- Comply with the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) and Hyatt policies
- Follow all food safety, sanitation, and HACCP procedures
- Use required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
- Report workplace hazards, injuries, incidents, and unsafe conditions promptly
- Participate in all required health and safety training
- Maintain safe work practices at all times
Hyatt Regency Toronto is committed to providing a workplace that is inclusive and accessible. Employment accommodation is available in compliance with the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA).
If contacted for an interview or employment opportunity, please advise the Human Resources Department of any accommodation requirements.
