Executive Chef

Queen's Hotel; Fort Macleod; On-site; CAD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Queen’s Hotel in Fort Macleod, Alberta is undergoing a restoration to become a boutique hospitality destination. We seek an accomplished Executive Chef to lead the culinary vision and to play an active role in guest experiences as the property opens in Spring 2027.

The successful candidate will oversee kitchen operations, develop menus, manage food costs, mentor staff, and build strong relationships with local farmers to support farm-to-table dining.

Qualifications

• Red Seal certification and 5–7+ years in executive/head/sous chef roles in hotels/restaurants or banquet operations.
• Strong leadership with ability to recruit, train, and mentor kitchen staff.
• Experience with menu development, cost control, and inventory management.
• Commitment to farm-to-table sourcing and local vendors.
• Valid Food Safe certification and a driver’s license.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and execution of the Queen’s Hotel culinary vision, including menus and dining experiences.
• Build and mentor a high-performing kitchen team aligned with the property’s culture.
• Oversee all kitchen operations to ensure food quality, consistency, presentation, and service standards.
• Prepare meals daily and provide mentorship to line cooks.
• Manage food and labor costs, purchasing, inventory and productivity to meet financial targets.
• Foster relationships with local farmers, producers, and suppliers to support farm-to-table philosophy.
• Ensure compliance with food safety, sanitation, and workplace safety requirements.
• Collaborate with General Manager and Front of House leadership to deliver an outstanding guest experience.
• Play a key role in pre-opening activities: kitchen setup, equipment selection, recruitment, and launch planning.

Skills

Leadership

Menu development

Food costing

Inventory management

Mentorship

Education

Red Seal certification

Job description

Are you an accomplished Red Seal Chef looking for a unique opportunity to establish and lead a meaningful culinary experience?

The historic Queen’s Hotel in Fort Macleod, Alberta is undergoing a significant restoration that will transform one of Southern Alberta’s most iconic buildings into a boutique hospitality destination. Originally established in 1903, this legacy project is thoughtfully revitalizing the property while preserving the character and heritage of the community.

Once completed, the property will feature 14 guest rooms and a 60-seat full-service restaurant and lounge. Guests will experience the rustic charm of Fort Macleod through comfortable hospitality and an exceptional dining experience.

As we continue to bring the project to life, we are seeking an accomplished Executive Chef to lead the culinary vision of the Queen’s Hotel. Reporting to the General Manager, the Executive Chef will provide overall leadership and direction of the kitchen operations while playing an active role in providing high-quality guest experiences and being actively involved in the preparation of meals. The anticipated opening date for the Queens Hotel is Spring 2027, with the successful candidate beginning their employment on January 15, 2027. The compensation package will be determined based on experience.

This is a rare opportunity for a chef to build a culinary legacy rather than simply inherit one.

Requirements and Qualities of our Ideal Candidate:

• Red Seal certification with at least 5 to 7+ years’ experience as an Executive, Head or Sous Chef within a hotel, restaurant or banquet operation
• Preference given to those with ties to Southern Alberta
• Passion for farm-to-table cuisine with strong commitment to supporting local vendors and producers
• Demonstrated leadership experience with ability to recruit, train, coach and mentor employees
• Strong understanding of menu development, food costing, inventory management and overall kitchen financial performance
• Entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to help build systems, processes and culture from the ground up
• Valid Food Safe Certification
• Valid Driver's License with ability to pass a criminal record check

Key Responsibilities of the Executive Chef:

• Lead the development and execution of the Queen's Hotel culinary vision, including menus, recipes, and dining experiences.
• Build, mentor, and lead a high-performing kitchen team that reflects the values and culture of the property.
• Oversee all kitchen operations, ensuring exceptional food quality, consistency, presentation, and service standards.
• Prepare meals daily while providing mentorship to the line cooks
• Manage food costs, labour costs, purchasing, inventory, and productivity to achieve established financial targets.
• Foster relationships with local farmers, producers, and suppliers to support a farm-to-table dining philosophy.
• Ensure compliance with all food safety, sanitation, health, and workplace safety requirements.
• Collaborate with the General Manager and Front of House leadership to deliver an outstanding guest experience.
• Play a key role in the pre-opening phase, including kitchen setup, equipment selection, operational planning, staff recruitment, and restaurant launch activities.