About Market Fresh Market Fresh is Guelph's premier independent grocer, proudly connecting our community with exceptional food, local producers, and unique culinary experiences for over 25 years. More than just a grocery store, Market Fresh is a destination for people who appreciate great food. Our full-service operation includes a kitchen, Gourmet to Go Café and prepared foods department, scratch bakery, butcher shop, deli, garden center, and giftware. Our kitchen is a dynamic, quick-paced operation responsible for producing a wide variety of fresh, high-quality foods for our customers. From daily prepared meals and hot food service to grab-and-go offerings and catering, our culinary team plays an important role in what makes Market Fresh special. We're passionate about local food, quality ingredients, and creating an exceptional food experience for our community. The Opportunity We're looking for an experienced, hands-on Head Chef to join our culinary leadership team and work closely with our Culinary Director to oversee the daily operations of our busy kitchen. This is an important leadership role within our kitchen, which consists of a team of approximately 20 people. As the Culinary Director's second-in-command, the Head Chef will help translate the department's vision into successful daily execution, ensuring our team, products, and operations consistently meet Market Fresh's standards. We're looking for someone who can take ownership, lead with confidence, and keep a busy kitchen running smoothly. Someone who is comfortable making decisions, managing competing priorities, supporting and developing team members, and stepping into a leadership role whenever the Culinary Director is focused on other priorities or away. This isn't a traditional restaurant kitchen. Our operation spans ready-to-eat meals, ready-to-heat prepared foods, hot food service, grab-and-go offerings, and catering. Success in this role requires strong culinary skills combined with excellent organization, production planning, team leadership, and operational awareness. If you're a natural leader who enjoys the energy of a busy kitchen, takes pride in developing people, and knows how to turn great food ideas into consistent, successful execution, we'd love to hear from you.

Key Responsibilities
Kitchen Leadership & Team Management
- Act as the departments second-in-command, taking ownership of day-to-day kitchen operations and providing confident leadership, direction and support to a team of approximatelyfostering a positive, accountable, and collaborative work environment.
- Oversee daily staffing, task delegation, workflow, and production priorities to ensure the kitchen operates efficiently.
- Provide hands-on coaching, training, and development to team members while maintaining high expectations for performance and professionalism.
- Address operational challenges and make sound decisions to keep the kitchen running smoothly during busy periods. Kitchen Operations & Food Production
- Oversee the daily production and execution of all prepared food offerings, including ready-to-eat meals, ready-to-heat products,



hot food service, grab-and-go items, and catering.
- Coordinate production schedules and priorities to ensure products are prepared on time, in the right quantities, and to the expected quality standards.
- Maintain consistency in recipes, portion sizes, food quality, presentation, and overall product execution.
- Work with the Culinary Director to plan and execute seasonal menus, new product offerings, and special promotions.
- Identify opportunities to improve kitchen processes, productivity, and overall operational efficiency.
- Ensure the kitchen is properly prepared for daily service, catering commitments, and changing production demands. Inventory, Cost Control & Food Safety
- Assist with inventory management, ordering, receiving, and vendor relationships.
- Monitor food costs, portion control, waste, and product yields to support departmental profitability.
- Maintain strong organization and cleanliness throughout all kitchen, cooler, and freezer spaces.
- Ensure compliance with all applicable food safety, sanitation, and workplace safety requirements.
- Lead by example in maintaining a culture where food safety, cleanliness, and attention to detail are non-negotiable. Culinary Development & Quality
- Work collaboratively with the Culinary Director to develop creative, seasonal, and market-driven food offerings.
- Maintain high standards for taste, freshness, presentation, and consistency across all products.
- Bring new ideas, culinary techniques, and industry trends to the kitchen while considering production capabilities, customer expectations, and cost effectiveness.
- Take pride in producing exceptional food using quality ingredients, including products sourced from local suppliers whenever possible. Experience & Qualifications
- 5+ years of experience in a professional kitchen or food production environment.
- At least 2 years of experience in a kitchen leadership or supervisory role.
- Experience managing teams and overseeing day-to-day kitchen operations.
- Experience in high-volume food production, catering, prepared foods, banquet operations, or a similar environment is a strong asset.
- Strong understanding of food safety, sanitation, inventory management, and cost control.
- Culinary education or formal training is an asset; equivalent hands-on experience and demonstrated leadership ability are equally valued. Leadership & Personal Attributes
- A confident, hands-on leader who can earn the respect of a team and lead by example.
- Robust organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- A proactive problem-solver who takes initiative and can make sound decisions independently.




- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Someone who holds themselves and others accountable while fostering a positive team culture.
- Passionate about food, quality ingredients, and delivering an exceptional customer experience.
- Adaptable, dependable, and comfortable working in a dynamic operation where priorities can change throughout the day. What You Get We believe great food starts with a great team. At Market Fresh, you'll enjoy the opportunity to build a rewarding culinary career in a supportive environment, with some of the lifestyle benefits that come with working outside the traditional restaurant industry.
- Work-Life Balance: A five-day workweek, with scheduling flexibility to accommodate operational needs and team availability. Overtime is rarely required outside of peak holiday periods.
- More Manageable Hours: No late-night restaurant shifts. Our kitchen operates primarily within the store's regular business hours, with opening shifts starting as early as 6 AM and closing shifts wrapping up by 7:30 PM.
- Holiday Time Off: Enjoy time with family and friends on select holidays when our store is closed, including Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year's Day, Family Day, Easter Sunday, and Thanksgiving Day.
- Uniforms Provided: Work uniforms are provided and professionally laundered for you.
- Staff Discount: Enjoy 20% off your purchases at Market Fresh.
- Employee

Benefits:
Access to our employee benefits program after six months of employment.
- Community Connections: Opportunities to participate in local events, build relationships with local producers and vendors, and get involved in charitable initiatives and community activities.
- Team Events & Celebrations: Management outings and an annual Christmas party to connect, celebrate, and enjoy time together outside of work. Why Market Fresh?
- Be part of an established, locally owned business with deep roots in the Guelph community.
- Work alongside an experienced Culinary Director and contribute to the direction and growth of a diverse culinary operation.
- Lead a talented team and make a meaningful impact on daily kitchen operations.
- Work with a vast variety of quality ingredients and have opportunities to contribute ideas to seasonal menus and new food offerings.
- Be part of a business that genuinely values local producers, great food, and community involvement. Interested? If you're an experienced kitchen leader looking for an opportunity to take on meaningful responsibility within a unique and exciting culinary operation, we encourage you to apply. Pay: From $70,000.00 per year

Benefits:
- Company events
- Dental care
- Disability insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Extended health care
- Life insurance
- On-site parking
- Store discount
- Vision care Application question(s):
- What does your weekly availability look like?
- Briefly describe your leadership style in the kitchen.
- What is the largest Kitchen team you have supervised? Work

Location:
In person

📌 Head Chef (Guelph)
🏢 Market Fresh
📍 Guelph