Opal Palace

Oakville, Ontario

Opal Palace is seeking an experienced and highly motivated Head Chef to lead our culinary operations across our restaurant, banquet, event and catering business.

We are looking for a strong culinary leader with proven experience preparing and developing Middle Eastern, Levantine and Mediterranean cuisine. The successful candidate will take ownership of the kitchen, lead the culinary team, develop and execute menus, and ensure consistency in flavour, presentation and quality across all services.

The Role The Head Chef will oversee the overall performance of the kitchen and will play a key role in developing the culinary identity of Opal Palace.

The position requires strong knowledge of Middle Eastern, Levantine and Mediterranean dishes, including traditional flavours, ingredients, preparation methods and modern presentation.

The Head Chef will be responsible for creating and executing:

- restaurant menus
- Banquet menus
- Set menus
- Wedding and event menus
- Catering menus
- Seasonal and special-event menus

Key Responsibilities
- Lead all day-to-day kitchen and culinary operations
- Develop and execute authentic and refined Middle Eastern, Levantine and Mediterranean dishes
- Create and maintain restaurant, banquet, catering and set menus
- Ensure consistency in flavour, preparation, portioning and presentation
- Establish standardized recipes and plating guidelines
- Maintain authenticity while introducing modern and refined culinary presentation
- Lead food preparation and service for both restaurant dining and large-scale events
- Manage and supervise chefs, cooks and kitchen support staff
- Train and develop the culinary team to maintain consistent standards
- Manage kitchen scheduling and staff allocation
- Oversee food purchasing, ordering and inventory
- Control food costs, waste and portion sizes
- Work closely with management on menu development,



costing and pricing
- Maintain strong kitchen organization and operational efficiency
- Coordinate with banquet, restaurant and event teams
- Manage high-volume banquet and catering production without compromising food quality
- Maintain professional food safety, sanitation and workplace standards
- Ensure all dishes reflect the quality and hospitality standards of Opal Palace

Culinary Experience Candidates should have robust knowledge and practical experience with dishes and flavours associated with Middle Eastern, Levantine and Mediterranean cuisine.

Experience may include areas such as:

- Traditional and contemporary mezze
- Grilled meats and poultry
- Kebabs and mixed grills
- Rice-based dishes
- Seafood
- Traditional Middle Eastern appetizers and salads
- Levantine sauces, marinades and seasonings
- Mediterranean dishes
- Family-style and sharing menus
- Banquet and large-format dishes
- Modern plating and presentation of traditional cuisine

The ability to preserve authentic flavour while presenting dishes at a refined restaurant and event standard is particularly important.

Qualifications

- Culinary Arts diploma, degree or related culinary education preferred
- Significant equivalent professional culinary experience will also be considered
- Previous experience as a Head Chef, Executive Chef, Sous Chef or senior kitchen leader
- Strong professional experience with Middle Eastern, Levantine and Mediterranean cuisine
- Experience developing menus and standardized recipes
- Restaurant, banquet,



catering or high-volume culinary experience
- Strong understanding of food costing and inventory management
- Proven ability to manage and train a kitchen team
- Strong organizational and leadership skills
- Knowledge of food safety and sanitation standards
- Ability to manage multiple services and large events simultaneously
- Strong attention to food quality, consistency and presentation

What We Are Looking For We are looking for a Head Chef who understands both culinary excellence and kitchen operations.

The ideal candidate should be able to take traditional Middle Eastern and Levantine flavours and execute them consistently at a professional hospitality standard while continuing to evolve the menu through thoughtful Mediterranean influences and modern presentation.

This position requires someone who can lead from the kitchen, develop a strong team, maintain discipline and consistency, and take ownership of the overall culinary product.

About Opal Palace

Opal Palace is an Oakville hospitality destination offering restaurant dining, weddings, private events, banquets and catering.

Our culinary identity is centred around the warmth, generosity and authentic flavours of the Middle East, Levant and Mediterranean, presented through an elevated hospitality experience.

As our restaurant, banquet and catering operations continue to grow, we are looking for an experienced Head Chef to lead the next stage of our culinary development.

Job Type: Full-time

Compensation: Competitive and based on experience

Qualified candidates are invited to apply with their resume and a brief overview of their culinary and kitchen leadership experience.

Pay: From $50,000.00 per year

Benefits

- Dental care
- Discounted or free food
- On-site parking
- Paid time off

Work Location: In person

📌 Head Chef – Middle Eastern, Levantine & Mediterranean Cuisine (Oakville)
🏢 Opal Lounge
📍 Oakville