Shay Ristorante – Toronto

Senior Chef de Partie

We are seeking a Senior Chef de Partie to take a leadership role in the kitchen of a new high-end Italian restaurant opening soon in one of Toronto's most prestigious neighbourhoods. This position sits between the Chef de Partie and sous chef level — and it comes with the responsibility, visibility, and creative involvement that reflects that.

You will be stepping into a kitchen that is serious about its craft, well-resourced, and being built to operate at the highest level. If you are ready to lead, contribute to a culinary vision, and help shape the culture of a kitchen from opening day, this is the opportunity. Compensation and scheduling details will be discussed privately with candidates who advance through the process.

THE CONCEPT: A MODERN EXPRESSION OF ELEVATED ITALIAN DINING

Shay is being built as a destination where craftsmanship and genuine hospitality converge. Rooted in seasonal Italian tradition and executed with precision and contemporary sensibility, the culinary program is designed for a discerning Toronto audience.

What guests will find at Shay:

● An ingredient-driven menu grounded in Italian culinary tradition with modern technique and finesse

● A kitchen built for precision, high craft, and consistent excellence

● A dining room that embraces understated luxury and genuine hospitality

● A team committed to building something exceptional and enduring in the Toronto dining landscape

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Senior Chef de Partie leads their section with full autonomy and acts as a key support for kitchen leadership across the broader operation. Beyond owning their station, they play an active role in training, quality control, and the day-to-day running of the kitchen.



This is a role for someone who is already thinking like a sous chef and is ready to operate at that level.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

Section and service leadership

● Take full ownership of your station and hold it to an uncompromising standard across prep, service, and close

● Lead and develop the cooks working within your section, providing hands-on coaching and clear direction

● Act as a point of escalation and calm problem-solving during service when leadership is occupied elsewhere

● Model the standard of execution, organization, and professionalism the kitchen is built around

● Support and mentor Chef de Partie and junior cooks across the kitchen as part of a collaborative leadership team

Culinary contribution

● Execute all dishes with precision, consistency, and a deep understanding of the culinary direction

● Actively contribute to menu development, seasonal transitions, and new dish ideation in collaboration with the culinary team

● Bring knowledge of Italian culinary traditions, regional ingredients, and technique to the creative process

● Ensure recipes, plating specs, and portion guides are followed and upheld across your section

Operational responsibility

● Manage ordering, inventory, and cost control for your section with accuracy and accountability

● Support kitchen leadership with scheduling, briefings, and broader operational needs as required

● Uphold all food safety, sanitation, and compliance requirements without exception





● Contribute to a kitchen culture where the standard is high and the team is invested in each other's success

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR

Required

● Minimum 4 to 5 years of professional kitchen experience, including a strong tenure at the Chef de Partie level

● Demonstrated ability to lead a section and develop the people working within it

● Deep technical skill and the ability to execute at a fine dining standard under pressure

● Solid and genuine knowledge of Italian cuisine, ingredients, and regional traditions

● Experience contributing to or leading menu development

● Food Handler certification and eligibility to work in Ontario

An advantage

● Formal culinary training or recognized apprenticeship

● Experience in acclaimed Italian or European fine dining kitchens

● Prior involvement in a restaurant opening or concept launch

● Familiarity with Toronto's culinary landscape, suppliers, and seasonal produce

The kind of person we are looking for

● A natural leader who earns respect through skill, consistency, and the way they treat their team

● Someone who sees beyond their own station and takes responsibility for the kitchen as a whole

● Passionate about Italian food and genuinely motivated by the process of building something great

● Calm, decisive, and explicit under pressure — the person the team looks to when things get difficult

● Ambitious and ready for the next step, with the discipline to earn it the right way

THE ENVIRONMENT

● Evening and weekend availability required

● A high-performance kitchen culture built on craft, accountability, and genuine respect

● Close collaboration with the culinary leadership team from day one

Pay: $17.60-$27.57 per hour

Benefits:

- Extended health care

Work Location: In person

📌 Chef De Partie (Canada)
🏢 Shay Ristorante
📍 Canada