About Coho Joe Cafe

Coho Joe Cafe is an established, community-focused cafe in Sointula, BC, known for approachable, comforting food and a welcoming atmosphere.

We’re looking for an experienced cook who takes pride in their craft and is interested in supporting an evolving menu while preserving the warmth and character of the cafe.

This is a hands-on kitchen role for someone who enjoys preparing excellent everyday food, contributing creative ideas and working collaboratively in a small business. You’ll work closely with the Cafe Manager, sharing responsibility for the quality, consistency and continued development of our menu.

We want to build on the cafe's tradition of casual comfort food and create a more elevated seasonal menu, with opportunities to introduce pop-up dinners, themed evenings and special events.

Responsibilities:

Cooking and menu development

- Plan, prepare and execute the breakfast and lunch menus, including soups, weekly specials and seasonal dishes.
- Bring fresh ideas to our existing comfort-food menu, with an emphasis on flavour, quality ingredients, consistency and thoughtful presentation.
- Develop recipes, plan menus and help maintain appropriate portion sizes and food costs.
- Manage inventory, kitchen organization and waste reduction.
- Maintain high standards of food safety, cleanliness and efficient service.

Collaboration and creativity

- Work closely with the Cafe Manager to coordinate daily operations and develop the overall food offering.
- Collaborate on seasonal features, catering, pop-up dinners and themed dining events.
- Communicate openly, share responsibilities and contribute to a positive, respectful working environment.

Day-to-day operations

- Organize preparation and kitchen workflow to support smooth service.
- Monitor ingredient availability, product quality and kitchen costs.




- Maintain clean, organized and well-functioning workspaces and equipment.
- Work independently when needed, exercise sound judgment and adapt to the changing needs of a small café.
- Assist with front-of-house duties, including cash and coffee service as needed to support the team and ensure a positive guest experience. While not the primary focus of the this role, flexibility to assist front-of-house is an expected part of contributing to the overall success of the team.

Qualifications and Experience

Required

- Professional cooking experience in a café, restaurant or comparable food-service kitchen.
- Confidence in preparing breakfast and lunch dishes, soups, sandwiches and seasonal specials.
- Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage preparation, timing and service independently.
- Knowledge of food safety, sanitation, safe food storage and kitchen practices.
- A collaborative approach, good communication skills and a dependable, practical attitude.
- An interest in menu development and a willingness to contribute ideas and take initiative.
- FOODSAFE Level 1 certification

Preferred

- Experience with menu planning, food costing, purchasing and inventory management.
- Experience developing seasonal dishes or improving an established menu.
- Experience with catering, special events, pop-up dinners or small-scale evening service.
- FOODSAFE Level 2 certification





A culinary diploma or formal chef training would be an asset, but demonstrated cooking ability and relevant professional experience are more important than formal credentials.

What We Offer

- Full-time, year-round employment.
- $20.00–$27.00 per hour, based on experience and skills.
- Primarily daytime café service, with opportunities to develop occasional evening events.
- Creative input into menu development and the future direction of the café.
- A close working relationship with the Cafe Manager and the chance to make a meaningful contribution to a local business.
- A practical, hands-on work environment in a distinctive coastal community.

The Working Environment

Coho Joe Cafe operates with a small core team, particularly during the quieter season, when the Café Manager and Kitchen Lead are the primary employees.

This role suits someone who values autonomy while enjoying close collaboration with a colleague. Mutual respect, initiative, flexibility and clear communication are essential.

We’re looking for a trusted culinary colleague who wants to do good work, contribute ideas and help grow something together.

How to Apply

Please submit your résumé and a brief introduction outlining your cooking experience, your approach to working in a small team, and what interests you about helping develop Coho Joe Cafe’s menu.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Pay: $20.00-$27.00 per hour

Expected hours: 35.0 – 40.0 per week

Benefits

- Store discount

Application question(s):
- Are you legally authorized to work in Canada?
- Will you require employer sponsorship or support to obtain or maintain authorization to work in Canada now or in the future?

Licence/Certification:
- FoodSafe Level 1 (required)
- FoodSafe Level 2 (preferred)

Work Location: In person

📌 Chef/Kitchen Lead (Sointula)
🏢 Coho Joe Cafe
📍 Sointula