Banquet Chef - C Hotel

Carmen's Group; Hamilton; On-site; CAD 50,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible scheduling

Mentorship from Director of Culinary

Staff discounts at our restaurants

Pay on Demand – get paid when you need

Global Hotel Discounts for your travel

Comprehensive Group RRSP & Health Bene

Wellness programs & staff events

Career coaching & growth / mentorship

Job summary

Carmens Group in Hamilton is seeking an experienced Banquet Chef to lead large-scale events, weddings, corporate galas, and charity dinners with precision and flair. Reporting to the Executive Chef, you will oversee day-to-day banquet kitchen operations, mentor line cooks, manage food safety, costs, and menu planning, and ensure exceptional guest experiences across high-volume service.

This full-time role offers a competitive salary, gratuities, flexible scheduling, mentorship from our Director

Qualifications

• 3+ years of banquet, catering or high-volume kitchen experience.
• Excellent knife skills and deep knowledge of cooking techniques.
• Confident supervising and mentoring kitchen team members.
• Safe Food Handler's Certificate is required.
• Culinary Trade Certification or Red Seal is an asset.
• Flexibility to work evenings, weekends and event-based hours.

Responsibilities

• Oversee banquet food preparation, execution and presentation for events of all sizes.
• Lead banquet kitchen operations during event service with real-time decisions.
• Supervise and mentor line cooks and kitchen staff during all phases.
• Maintain food safety, cleanliness and sanitation standards.
• Plan and coordinate kitchen logistics for multiple events.
• Manage inventory, food costs and proper storage for banquet ops.
• Collaborate on menu planning, tastings and custom offerings.
• Ensure banquet food quality, timing and overall kitchen performance.
• Foster a positive, collaborative kitchen culture focused on improvement.
• Step in during service to ensure exceptional guest experiences.

Skills

Banquet leadership

Knife skills

Team supervision

Safe Food Handler Certificate

Culinary Trade Certification or Red SE

Education

Culinary Trade Certification or Red Seal (asset)

Job description

Craft Bold Flavours in a Kitchen That Powers Unforgettable Events

At the C Hotel by Carmens, our culinary team does more than just cook — they create experiences that leave lasting impressions. Whether you’re preparing large-scale banquet menus for weddings, corporate events, or gala dinners, your skills are on full display in a fast-paced, dynamic kitchen.

As part of Carmens Group, you’ll have the support of a company with over 40 years of hospitality excellence—and the freedom to bring your pride and creativity to every plate you prepare.

Why Work for Carmens Group?

• Flexible scheduling
• Career coaching & growth, including mentorship from our Director of Culinary
• Hands on experience working alongside seasoned Executive Chefs
• Great Place to Work Certified (2022-2024, 2026)
• Named Best Workplace in several award categories:
• Most Trusted Executive Teams
• Best Places to Work in Hospitality & Retail
• Best Places to Work in Canada
• Best Workplaces for Women
• Best Workplaces for Mental Wellness
• Perks & Benefits
• Pay on Demand – get paid when you need it
• Global Hotel Discounts for your travels
• Comprehensive Group RRSP & Health Benefits
• Staff discounts at our restaurants
• Culinary Apprenticeships & Red Seal Development
• Wellness programs & staff events
• Clear opportunities for growth
• Employee recognition programs celebrating your achievements and milestones
• Referral bonuses when you bring great talent to the team
• Safe, inclusive and supportive workplace culture

Join a company that values your growth, wellbeing, and passion- where your career is supported every step of the way.

Position Details:

Job type: full-time, permanent
Vacancy: This posting is for an existing vacancy
Compensation: $50,000 - $60,000 + gratuities
AI Disclosure: We do not use artificial intelligence in the screening or selection of applicants for this position

What you will be doing:

As Banquet Chef, you’ll play a key role in overseeing the culinary execution of large-scale, high-impact events — from elegant weddings and corporate galas to charity dinners and live shows. Reporting to the Executive Chef, you’ll take ownership of day-to-day banquet kitchen operations, independently leading the culinary team through high-volume service with precision, efficiency, and professionalism.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Overseeing banquet food preparation, execution, and presentation for events of all sizes, ensuring consistency and quality
• Independently leading banquet kitchen operations during event service, making real-time decisions to ensure smooth and efficient execution
• Supervising, coaching, and mentoring line cooks, prep cooks, and kitchen support staff during preparation, setup, service, and breakdown
• Ensuring all food safety, cleanliness, and sanitation standards are upheld across all kitchen areas
• Planning and coordinating kitchen logistics for multiple events running simultaneously
• Managing inventory, ordering, food costs, and proper storage of ingredients and supplies for banquet operations
• Collaborating with the Executive Chef on menu planning, tastings, and custom event offerings with a creative, guest-focused mindset
• Taking accountability for banquet food quality, presentation, timing, and overall kitchen performance during service
• Fostering a positive and collaborative kitchen culture that values communication, accountability, and continuous improvement
• Taking a hands-on approach to service execution, stepping in wherever needed to ensure exceptional guest experiences
• Upholding Carmen’s Group’s standards of culinary excellence and helping drive operational success
• Performing other duties as assigned to support the broader goals of the culinary department

This is the ideal role for a confident, organized culinary leader with strong banquet experience, sound decision-making skills, and the ability to independently manage high-volume event service.

What You Bring To The Table

• 3+ years of experience with banquet, catering or high volume kitchen environments
• Excellent knife skills and deep knowledge of cooking techniques
• Confidence supervising and mentoring kitchen team members
• Safe Food Handler's Certificate (Required)
• Culinary Trade Certification or Red Seal (an asset)
• Flexibility to work evenings, weekends and event based hours

We are Carmens Group—a proud Hamilton-born hospitality company with a mission to create extraordinary memories. Our venues include Carmens Event Centre, The C Hotel, The Lakeview, the Hamilton Convention Centre, fig&lemon Catering, The Arlington Hotel, and the Good Earth Food & Wine. Together, we’re shaping the future of Southern Ontario’s event and culinary scene—one unforgettable experience at a time.

Carmens Group makes certain there is an equal employment opportunity for all employees and applicants for employment. Carmens Group will strive to provide accommodation to persons with disabilities in the recruitment process upon request. If you are selected for an interview and you require accommodation due to a disability during the recruitment process, please notify People & Culture upon scheduling your interview.