Head Chef

Skye Chase Winery; St. Thomas; On-site; CAD 70,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Yes (following 90-day probation period

Job summary

Skye Chase Estate Winery in St. Thomas, Ontario, seeks a visionary Head Chef to lead the culinary operations and pair exquisite food with our wines.

The role reports to the General Manager and offers a permanent full-time schedule with an annual salary of 70,000–80,000 CAD, plus a possible bonus based on performance. The Head Chef will supervise the kitchen, design seasonal menus, manage costs, ensure top-quality dining experiences, and collaborate with winemaking and hospitality teams to

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a Chef or Head Chef in a refined dining setting with provincially required certifications.
• Education: College/CEGEP.
• Creative approach to menu design and seasonal cuisine.
• Strong leadership to inspire culinary teams.
• Knowledge of food cost management and budgeting.
• Attention to detail and commitment to guest experiences.
• Experience managing budgets, costs, and financial goals.
• Excellent communication and organization.

Responsibilities

• Culinary Leadership: Prepare and cook food regularly; develop and oversee all menus; train and lead the culinary team; maintain quality, presentation, and innovation.
• Operational Management: Oversee kitchen operations, inventory, purchasing and cost control; ensure food safety and sanitation; hire, schedule, train, and evaluate staff; align culinary vision with brand identity; develop pairings with the winemaking team; collaborate on seasonal menus with retail and events.
• Guest Experience: Engage with guests to gather feedback and create memorable culinary moments that tell a story.
• Sustainability & Community: Build relationships with local farmers and artisans to champion fresh, sustainable ingredients.

Skills

Leadership

Menu design

Food cost management

Communication skills

Budgeting

Education

College/CEGEP

Job description

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Position Title: Head Chef
Department: Hospitality - Food Services
Reports To: General Manager
Location: Skye Chase Estate Winery, St. Thomas Ontario
Compensation: Annual Salary $70,000 - $80,000 commensurate on experience; with possible performance based bonus
Job type: Permanent Full-time 40hrs/week
Benefits: Yes (following 90-day probation period)

Position Overview:

We are seeking a visionaryHead Chef to lead the culinary operations ofSkye Chase Estate Winery. This position would be responsible for pairing exquisite food with our exceptional wines and contributing directly to delivering a best-in-class customer experience.Our winery, regarded as a 'must experience' destination, requires the Head Chef deliver excellence consistently in support of the 'comfortably elegant' Skye Chase brand.

Skye Chase Estate Winery boasts a gorgeous 21-acre vineyard, a beautiful retail store, tasting area, full-service restaurant, and lounge.The new Welcome Centre elevates and complements our natural environment and serves as the cornerstone of the estate. This inviting space encourages customers to enjoy the unique charms of our vineyard, our heritage forest, the overall ambiance and breathtaking views of the estate.

Key Responsibilities:

Culinary Leadership

• Prepare and cook food on a regular basis, including for special guests or functions.
• Develop, execute, and oversee all menus, with a focus on seasonal, locally sourced, and shareable dishes.
• Train and lead the culinary team to deliver exceptional dining experiences.
• Maintain consistency in food quality, presentation, and innovation.

Operational Management

• Oversee all kitchen operations, including inventory, purchasing and cost control.
• Ensure compliance with food safety and sanitation regulations with commitment to consistent top level cleanliness.
• Manage kitchen hiring, schedules, staff training, and performance evaluations to build a strong/motivated team.
• Collaborate with the Head Winemaker, Hospitality Manager and General Manager to align an ongoing culinary vision with the brand identity, while being creative and expressive.
• Collaborate with the Head Winemaker to develop pairings that complement and leverage the very best we have to offer in a wine and food pairing experience.
• Partner with our retail and on-site events team to create menus for seasonal periods, private parties and celebrations.

Guest Experience

• Engage with guests to gather feedback and adapt offerings to meet and exceed expectations.
• Create memorable culinary moments that enhance the overall guest experience, ensuring every dish tells a story.

Sustainability & Community

• Build strong relationships with local farmers, other wineries and craft beer/distillery operators, and artisans to champion fresh, sustainable ingredients.

Qualifications:

• Proven experience as a Chef or Head Chef in a refined dining restaurant, or similar heightened experience setting, with all provincially required certifications.
• Education: College/CEGEP
• A creative and innovative approach to menu design and food presentation, with a passion for local and seasonal cuisine.
• Strong leadership and team management skills to inspire and develop a talented culinary team.
• Knowledge of culinary trends and food cost management including cost effective food purchasing.
• Exceptional attention to detail and commitment to delivering outstanding guest experiences.
• Ability to manage budgets, control costs, and meet financial goals.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills.
• Minimum 3 years' experience preferred