Location: Pickering, Ontario

Position Type: Full-time, Permanent

Compensation: Competitive salary (Based on local industry standards beginning around $37/hour or equivalent annual salary), plus performance-based bonuses, gratuities, and meal perks.

Position

OverviewWe are looking for an experienced, high-energy Head Chef to spearhead our back-of-house operations for a brand-new, premium gastropub concept in Pickering. Modeled after Ontario’s top-tier lively culinary hubs, our establishment bridges the gap between a high-volume, multi-screen sports lounge and an elevated casual dining restaurant.The ideal candidate possesses exceptional leadership skills and a passion for scratch-cooked food. You will be responsible for creating an efficient, cohesive kitchen climate while delivering consistently exceptional dishes at speed—even during high-intensity game days, weekend live entertainment, and premium brunch windows.

Key Responsibilities Culinary Excellence & Menu Evolution

- Execute High-Volume Pub Staples: Deliver top-quality, consistently prepared core items including hand-breaded wings, premium smash burgers, artisanal pizzas, and classic fish & chips.
- Introduce Modern Gastropub Twists: Develop and execute creative, globally-inspired menu additions, daily express lunch specials, and seasonal features (e.g., street tacos, fresh bowls, and signature pastas).
- Manage Multi-Day Service Windows: Oversee the operational standards for diverse daily dayparts, including our high-volume Weekday Express Lunch, late-night bar menus, and an interactive Weekend Brunch.

Kitchen Management & Financial Controls
- Optimize Food Costing & Procurement: Source high-quality fresh ingredients from reliable local vendors while monitoring inventory, tracking yields, and minimizing food waste to maximize profitability.
- Labor Scheduling & Structuring: Create weekly staff schedules that accurately align kitchen labor costs with historical peak volumes (such as major professional sports broadcasts and weekend dinner rushes).




- Maintain Equipment & Infrastructure: Manage daily operational logs and schedule routine preventive maintenance or emergency repairs for all heavy-line kitchen hardware (grills, fryers, refrigeration units).

Leadership, Culture & Training
- Hiring & Talent Development: Source, onboard, and continuously train line cooks, prep cooks, and dishwashers to maintain an adaptable, versatile kitchen crew.
- Foster Collaboration: Cultivate a positive, high-respect kitchen climate that bridges communication flawlessly with front-of-house service staff.
- Strict Quality & Sanitation Control: Enforce uncompromised standards for plating, presentation, food rotation (FIFO), temperature logs, and strict compliance with the Ontario Health Protection and Promotion Act (HPPA) and local Durham Region health bylaws.

Qualifications & Skills Required
- Proven Experience: 3–5+ years as a Head Chef, Kitchen Manager, or high-level Sous Chef within a high-volume, premium casual restaurant or high-energy pub ecosystem.
- Culinary Credentials: A college diploma in Culinary Arts/Management or a completed apprenticeship is preferred; valid Ontario Food Handler Certification is mandatory.
- High-Volume Stamina: Proven capability to lead a line calmly and make rapid, accurate decisions under pressure during high-density dining hours.
- Strong Inventory & Tech Literacy: Experience utilizing modern restaurant management software for tracking inventory, food costs, and scheduling.
- Open Schedule Availability: Flexibility to work late nights, split shifts, weekends, and statutory holidays according to the sporting calendar and business peaks.

What We Offer
- Competitive base salary with milestone performance bonuses.
- Equal share of kitchen tip pools.
- Complementary staff meals and employee dining discounts.
- Growth opportunities within a dynamic, expanding local business hospitality group.
- Dedicated on-site parking.

Pay: $41,118.43-$86,777.49 per year

Benefits

- Discounted or free food
- In office parking
- Profit sharing

Work Location: In person

📌 Head Chef/Manager (Pickering)
🏢 Bar and Grill Resto in Pickering
📍 Pickering