Salt+Ash - Sous Chef

Salt & Ash; Halifax; On-site; CAD 52,000 - 72,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Health & dental benefits

Gym access

Dining discount at Freehand locations

RRSP contributions

Uniform and dining allowance

Employee assistance program

Referral bonus program

Job summary

Salt + Ash Beach House is seeking a Sous Chef to work closely with the Chef and collaborate with our back-of-house team. You will help develop a culinary vision and lead daily kitchen operations in a fast-paced, high-spirited environment.

You will recruit and mentor staff, manage inventories, and ensure top-tier food quality and presentation while controlling costs. A culinary diploma is preferred and experience with coastal, local ingredients is valued.

Qualifications

• 2–3 years cooking experience in a fast-paced, high performing restaurant.
• Knowledge of local flavors and ability to creatively incorporate into the menu.
• Hands-on approach with live-fire and rustic cooking techniques.
• Enthusiasm for training, developing and leading the team.
• Strong business ethics and a proactive mindset.
• Background in cooking and recipe creation.

Responsibilities

• Developing and executing a culinary vision aligned with Salt + Ash Beach House brand.
• Recruiting, training, mentoring, and managing kitchen staff; fostering a positive environment.
• Setting performance goals and conducting regular evaluations for kitchen staff.
• Fostering teamwork between front- and back-of-house teams.
• Creating and maintaining seasonal, innovative menus reflecting the concept.
• Overseeing daily kitchen operations & ensuring high-quality food presentation.
• Managing inventory, ordering, storage, and usage of ingredients.
• Maintaining equipment and reporting maintenance issues promptly.
• Implementing systems to reduce waste and optimize portioning and recipes.
• Collaborating with District Chef and VP of F&B to manage budgets focusing on food and labor costs.
• Analyzing sales/expenses to improve profitability while maintaining quality.
• Sourcing cost-effective, high-quality ingredients.
• Engaging with guests for feedback to refine dishes.

Skills

Live-fire cooking

Team leadership

Menu development

Knife skills

Communication

Recipe creation

Cost awareness

Food safety

Problem solving

Education

Culinary diploma/degree

Tools

Inventory management

Food ordering

Job description

Sous Chef at Salt + Ash Beach House with Freehand Hospitality

About Freehand Hospitality

Rooted in chef-led creativity, our team is passionate about bringing people together with bold flavours, thoughtful ingredients, and warm, welcoming service. We celebrate diverse culinary styles—from upscale Maritime dining to classic French fare—paired with genuine hospitality that leaves a lasting impression. Every dish tells a story, and every experience celebrates connection, community, and a true sense of place in Halifax.

About Salt + Ash Beach House

We pride ourselves on using quality, local ingredients to deliver simply prepared dishes that showcase the best of Nova Scotia. Our approachable menu of comforting, rustic, and hearty dishes with a touch of coastal flair offers something for everyone, from wood-fired pizzas and an impressive array of grilled and smoked meat and seafood to unique brunch dishes and late-night snacks. At Salt + Ash, there’s no greater joy than having our guests sink their teeth into a lip-smacking burger, succulent piece of fried chicken, a perfectly charred pepperoni pie or crispy fish and chips made fresh to order.

Job Description

Salt + Ash is looking for a Sous Chef who will work closely with the Chef and collaborate with our amazing team back-of-house team.

What you will be doing as a Kitchen Steward:

• Developing and executing a culinary vision aligned with the brand identity;
• Recruiting, training, mentoring, and managing kitchen staff, fostering a positive and professional environment;
• Setting performance goals and conducting regular evaluations for kitchen staff;
• Fostering teamwork and collaboration between front- and back-of-house teams;

• Using conflict/resolution and problem-solving skills;

• Creating and maintaining seasonal, innovative menus that reflect the restaurant’s concept and target audience;
• Overseeing daily kitchen operations, ensuring food is prepared and presented to the highest standards;
• Managing inventory, including ordering, storing, and usage of ingredients;
• Ensuring equipment is well-maintained and reporting any maintenance issues promptly;
• Implementing systems to reduce waste and maximize efficiency through appropriate portioning and adherence to approved recipes;
• Collaborating with the District Chef and VP of F&B to develop and manage kitchen budgets, focusing on food and labor costs while maintaining high guest satisfaction;
• Analyzing sales and expenses to improve profitability while maintaining quality;
• Sourcing cost-effective, high-quality ingredients;
• Engaging with guests to understand their preferences and gather feedback on food quality and presentation to refine dishes and enhance offerings, ensuring excellence in taste, presentation, and timeliness;
• Handling special requests, dietary restrictions, and complaints professionally;
• Staying informed on culinary trends and integrating them into the menu as appropriate;
• Ensuring compliance with applicable food safety and sanitation regulations;
• Maintaining proper hygiene practices and enforcing safety standards among the team;
• Conducting regular kitchen inspections to uphold cleanliness and organization;
• Staying updated on food safety guidelines and training staff accordingly with the help of the Safety compliance manager;
• Such other related duties and responsibilities as may be required from time to time.

The person we are looking for has:

• 2-3 years cooking experience in a fast-paced, high performing restaurant;

• Knowledge of local flavors and the ability to incorporate them creatively into the menu, embodying the laid-back yet hearty spirit of Salt + Ash;

• A hands-on approach and expertise in live-fire and rustic cooking techniques preferred;

• Enthusiasm for training, developing and leading the team;
• Strong business ethics who takes every opportunity to promote their product;
• An established background in cooking and recipe creation;
• Excellent communication skills who consistently contributes and inspires the team to monitor kitchen operations and cleanliness;
• Experience with elevated and unique ingredients;
• Culinary diploma/degree is an asset;
• Experience with food ordering and inventories;
• Professional cooking and knife handling skills;
• The ability spend 100% of the time at work standing.

Why join us and what's in it for you?

• Competitive salary
• Comprehensive extended Health & Dental benefits
• Integrated learning environment with room to grow
• Access to our gym and fitness facility
• 50% dining discount at Freehand locations
• Company RRSP contributions
• Uniform and dining allowance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Eligible for company referral bonus program
• Working along side a collaborative team of likeminded individuals

A member of The Armour Group, Freehand Hospitality is an equal opportunity employer. We value our employees and their well-being. If you would like to join an organization with which you can have a work-life balance, career growth, long term job stability, and an opportunity to positively contribute to the community, this position may be for you!