The Forge Bagel Co. is a new fusion-style bagel bistro that is elevating the bagel scene in Winnipeg by offering unique, artisan Polishire™ bagels, directly inspired by the traditions of Poland and England. Every bagel is hand-stretched by our bakery team, and those bagels are the foundation of a chef-driven menu built entirely from scratch. At The Forge, our customers experience a new standard of bistro that is driven by quality and delivered with heart.

Details

We are seeking an experienced Sous-Chef to lead the kitchen through our current growth and planned expansion. The Forge is an elevated bistro rather than a counter-service bagel shop. We treat the bagel as a canvas, and we are looking for a sous-chef who wants to see how far it can be taken, from slow-roasted proteins (such as brisket) to technique-driven builds developed in house.

This is a full-time, permanent position reporting directly to our President, with early-morning start times to support our business hours. The successful candidate will have solid experience supervising a kitchen line and will work closely with our management team on menu development and new product rollouts.

The Sous-Chef will manage a growing culinary team in a compact, high-volume kitchen, hiring and training staff and setting the standard for efficient multi-tasking and best practices on the line. As a leader and active participant in the kitchen, the Sous-Chef will also engage directly with customers, handling special orders, offering menu recommendations, and answering questions about menu items and ingredients. The Forge is building for the future, and this is a genuine ground-floor prospect with significant room to grow alongside the business.

Responsibilities

- Lead the line during service and run daily kitchen shifts, setting production priorities and quality expectations for every shift.
- Help develop and execute a wide variety of bagel and sandwich builds,



working hands-on through preparation, cooking, and assembly to standardized recipes so every order meets quality standards for taste, texture, temperature, and presentation.
- Recruit, hire, supervise, direct, and work alongside culinary staff, provide best practices training to new hires, and implement and ensure adherence to kitchen policies and safety standards.
- Ensure preparation and presentation meet artisan quality standards, control portion sizes, and enforce strict health, safety, and cleanliness regulations throughout the kitchen.
- Collaborate with the management team on product ideation and product testing, and be responsible for the successful implementation of new menu options.
- Monitor kitchen inventory, organize storage, order necessary supplies, and ensure the kitchen has all required tools and ingredients.
- Own culinary cost reporting by tracking food cost percentages, costing out recipes and new menu items, and monitoring and reducing waste.
- Build and manage kitchen schedules to meet service demand while keeping labour costs within budget.
- Work with our software developers to shape custom tools that improve productivity and line management, providing hands-on feedback and testing as the operational voice of the kitchen.

Qualifications

- 5+ years of progressive kitchen experience in high-volume environments, including at least 2 years in a supervisory or lead line role.
- Education in Culinary Arts or Hospitality Management is highly preferred.
- Red Seal certification is considered a strong asset.




- Experience hiring, supervising, and training kitchen staff, with the appetite to help scale culinary operations across additional locations as the business expands.
- Working knowledge of food costs, waste control, and labour budgets.
- Exceptional multi-tasking and organizational skills to manage multiple orders simultaneously during peak hours.
- Expert knowledge of food safety and sanitation practices.
- Current resident of Winnipeg, Manitoba, and legally entitled to work in Canada.

Compensation & Additional Information

- Starting salary range is $57,500 - $75,000/annually (dependent on experience), including an annual Health Benefit & Mobile Phone Allowance.
- Start date November 16th, 2026, or as mutually agreed.
- This role carries a clear path to Chef, Head Chef and ultimately Executive Chef, with advancement tied to the growth of the culinary team, the number of locations, and demonstrated leadership.
- Strong performance and entrepreneurial drive may lead to future share options, equity opportunities, and/or profit sharing as the business grows.

Please review our Website (https://www.theforgebagel.com/) and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/theforgebagel/) for more information prior to applying. If you are an experienced Sous-Chef looking to grow with an exciting business, please apply directly to: [email protected] The Forge Bagel Co. is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates and will provide accommodations upon request at any stage of the recruitment process. While we appreciate the interest of all applicants, only those under consideration will be contacted for an interview. Thank you for your interest in The Forge Bagel Co.!

Pay: $57,500.00-$75,000.00 per year

Benefits

- On-site parking
- Paid time off

Work Location: In person

📌 Sous Chef (Winnipeg)
🏢 The Forge Bagel
📍 Winnipeg