First Cook

American Queen Voyages; Toronto; On-site; CAD 35,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a dynamic team as a First Cook and contribute to creating exceptional dining experiences. This seasonal role involves preparing a variety of food items while ensuring the highest standards of quality and safety. You will coordinate with the Head Chef, supervise kitchen staff, and maintain compliance with health regulations. If you are passionate about food and eager to work in a vibrant environment, this opportunity is perfect for you. Enjoy competitive wages, bonuses, and unique crew benefits while working with a dedicated team focused on delivering amazing experiences to our guests.

Benefits

Competitive Wage

Retention Bonus - up to $500.00

Complimentary Cruise Tickets

Complimentary Crew Meals

Crew Recognition Awards

Crew Referral Program - up to $200.00 per referral

Paid Training

Qualifications

• Minimum two years of kitchen experience required.
• Food Handler’s Certificate is necessary.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and produce food items to specified requirements.
• Supervise line cooks and ensure compliance with health regulations.

Skills

Food Preparation

Cooking Skills

Team Coordination

Service Orientation

Adaptability

Education

O.S.S.D. or equivalent

Culinary degree

Tools

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Job description

City Experiences is seeking a First Cook for our City Cruises operation in Toronto.

*Please note, this is a seasonal/contract position*

About You:

This person will be adaptable, dynamic, and embody City Experiences’ RESPECT Service System.

About the Opportunity:

Inspired by a commitment to excellence, the food & beverage team at our Company creates amazing experiences for our guests. The First Cook is responsible for preparing and producing food items, a la carte, buffets, banquets, etc. to specified requirements set by the Head Chef and Food & Beverage department. The First Cook is flexible, open-minded, and confident to take over any section of the kitchen operation at any time. The First Cook’s goal is to ensure a high level of food quality, value, consistency, and satisfaction to the guests.

Crew Benefits:

• Competitive Wage
• Retention Bonus - up to $500.00!
• Complimentary Cruise Tickets & Uniforms
• Complimentary Crew Meals
• Crew Recognition Awards
• Crew Referral Program - up to $200.00 per referral
• Crew Events
• Paid Training

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Coordinates with the Head Chef action plan for the meal period.
• Inspect pre-opening progress and direct/assist as needed to ensure that all food operations meet or exceed standards and passenger expectations.
• Responsible for supervision and administration of line cooks and dishwashers during meal periods.
• Ensure that all Galley departments are always in full compliance with all company, Public Health, and Transport Canada rules and regulations at all times.
• Participate in pre-shift and post-shift line meetings.
• Ensure that all food specifications and presentations are adhered to during the meal period.
• Daily attention to all cost control systems.
• Meet and exceed passenger expectations by ensuring departments provide “amazing experiences”.
• Maintain compliance with the company grooming and uniform standards.
• Demonstrate a leadership style conducive to exceeding standards and maximizing crew retention.
• Assist as needed in all mandated inventories and orders.
• Responsible for the Food Preparation, Food Service, and Cleaning Procedures for the menu items, tasks, and equipment section assigned to them.
• Responsible for maintenance and cleaning in the respective sections.
• Takes part in food storage loading, requisitioning, and maintenance (quality and quantity controls) when required.
• Maintains the high standard presentation of food and buffets, with guidance from the Head Chef, prepares menu production forecasting, daily requisition and production, and adheres to progressive cookery.
• Participates in all kitchen activities to the agreed standards and to the complete satisfaction of the passengers.
• Is responsible for the preparation and cooking of food to the highest standards to establish an efficient flow of food.
• Work towards minimizing spoilages and utilizing food surpluses.
• Accepts training and guidance on a continuous basis. Passes along best practices and techniques to fellow crew members.
• Encouraged to give input for improvements in raw material, menus, cost savings, and equipment.
• Ensure that all plating and buffets are well presented.
• Assures that all food requests are executed to the fullest satisfaction of the passenger in accordance with the Company's policies and in a timely fashion.
• Prioritizes quality, production, and completion of duties.
• Participate and is aware of all Transport Canada mandated drills and emergency procedures as directed.
• Be prepared to begin work at scheduled time.
• Other duties as assigned by the manager or supervisor on duty.

Requirements & Qualifications:

• O.S.S.D. or equivalent as recognized by the Ministry of Education.
• Minimum two (2) years comparable kitchen experience required.
• Food Handler’s Certificate.
• Hospitality or Culinary degree considered an asset.
• Energetic and enthusiastic personality essential.
• Will be closely supervised; must be able to take direction.
• Must be able to effectively understand and convey written and verbal information to coworkers and guests.
• Must possess a service orientation – actively looking for ways to help others.
• Will work for extended periods without sitting.
• The nature of the work may be strenuous, and the work environment may be warm.
• Required to lift and move heavy items such as cases of provisions and large containers of prepared foods.
• Will be required to be available for work on weekends, evenings, and all major holidays.
• Ability to reach, bend, stoop, wipe, push, pull, move and/or lift. Ability to safely move up to 40lbs (18kgs).
• Required to wear assigned Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) (i.e. non-slip shoes, gloves, weather appropriate dress attire).

About Us:

City Experiences’ passion is to provide amazing experiences on land and water. Our 40-year success through organic growth and acquisitions has resulted in a portfolio of over 25+ brands that welcome upwards of 30 million guests/riders annually. If you’re an enthusiastic team player who thrives in an environment where communication, creativity, and cooperation are encouraged, this may just be the opportunity for you.

The RESPECT Service System embodies City Experiences’ mission, vision, values, and operating principles. By creating a company culture that puts RESPECT at its core, we believe it will drive us to achieve our goal of becoming a Global Experiences and Transportation Leader.

City Experiences is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We are committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing employees with a work environment free of harassment and/or discrimination of any type, including but not limited to discrimination and/or harassment based upon race, citizenship, place of origin, colour, ancestry, disability, age, creed, sex/pregnancy, family status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic characteristics, receipt of public assistance, and record of offences.

City Experiences employment and workplace decisions will be based on company needs, job requirements, and individual job qualifications and skills. City Experiences will comply with provincial and federal legislation relating to equal employment opportunities and employment equity.