Senior Cook, Events - Oliver & Bonacini

Oliver & Bonacini; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 32,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discounted gym membership

Employee Assistance Program

50% dining discount for you and up to

Employee Referral Program

Job summary

Oliver & Bonacini Hospitality (O&B) is seeking a Senior Cook – Events to craft memorable dining experiences for large-scale events across our Toronto-area venues, including Ivey Donald K. Johnson Centre, Estates of Sunnybrook, The Carlu, and The Quay.

This is an exciting opportunity to influence event culinary execution within a leading Canadian hospitality group. You will lead station setups, execute menus to O&B standards, and mentor junior cooks, ensuring safety, quality, and

Qualifications

• 2–3 years of professional kitchen experience, Senior Cook or lead role preferred.
• Experience in event catering or high-volume culinary operations is asset.
• Strong cooking techniques and kitchen operations knowledge.
• Ability to work independently at assigned stations while supporting the overall success of the culinary team.
• Attention to detail with focus on quality, presentation, and portion control.
• Ability to prioritize tasks in a fast-paced event environment.
• Excellent communication with chefs and events teams.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and execute food items according to recipes, menus, event specifications, and O&B culinary standards.
• Assist with event kitchen setup, including preparing stations and organizing ingredients.
• Support the culinary team during event preparation and service with efficiency and communication.
• Cook and plate menu items with attention to quality, presentation, portion control, and consistency.
• Coordinate kitchen activities during events for smooth execution and timely service.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and fully stocked workstation during prep and service.
• Monitor food quality and presentation; communicate concerns to leadership.
• Assist with receiving, storing, and handling food according to safety standards.
• Support inventory management by organizing and minimizing waste.
• Follow all food safety, sanitation, and health & safety regulations.
• Mentor junior culinary team members and lead by example.
• Collaborate with Culinary, Front of House, and Events teams for smooth event execution.
• Assist with kitchen breakdown and post-event cleanup.

Skills

Culinary skills

Attention to detail

Time management

Communication

Team leadership

Job description

Oliver & Bonacini Hospitality (O&B) is one of Canada’s leading hospitality groups, known for exceptional dining experiences, innovative concepts, and outstanding service. Since 1993, we have built a diverse portfolio of restaurants, venues, and events while creating opportunities for our people to grow, develop, and build rewarding careers in hospitality.

We are recruiting talented individuals for Event Senior Cook positions across various O&B locations:

• Ivey Donald K. Johnson Centre
• Estates of Sunnybrook
• The Carlu
• The Quay

What's in it for you?

• Discounted gym membership
• Access to our Employee Assistance Program for confidential support
• 50% dining discount at all O&B restaurants for you and up to three guests
• Employee Referral Program
• Join one of Canada’s leading hospitality companies, where a wide range of exciting internal career opportunities await!

Job Description

Join the Oliver & Bonacini team as a Senior Cook – Events, where your culinary skills, attention to detail, and passion for hospitality will help create exceptional dining experiences for our guests. Working alongside our Culinary and Events Teams, you will be responsible for preparing and executing high-quality food for events while ensuring all dishes meet O&B standards for taste, presentation, and consistency. You will play an important role in supporting kitchen operations, leading by example, maintaining an organized and efficient workspace, and ensuring smooth food preparation and service throughout each event. We are looking for an experienced culinary professional who is reliable, detail-oriented, and thrives in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment while taking pride in delivering exceptional culinary experiences and supporting successful event operations.

The day to day:

• Prepare and execute food items according to recipes, menus, event specifications, and O&B culinary standards.
• Assist with event kitchen setup, including preparing stations, organizing ingredients, and ensuring all equipment and supplies are ready for service.
• Support the culinary team during event preparation and service by maintaining efficiency, organization, and strong communication.
• Cook and plate menu items with attention to quality, presentation, portion control, and consistency.
• Assist with coordinating kitchen activities during events to ensure smooth execution and timely service.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and fully stocked workstation throughout preparation and service.
• Monitor food quality, freshness, and presentation while identifying and communicating any concerns to culinary leadership.
• Assist with receiving, organizing, storing, and properly handling food products and supplies according to food safety standards.
• Support inventory management by maintaining proper product organization, minimizing waste, and communicating low stock items.
• Follow all food safety, sanitation, workplace safety, and Health & Safety regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Support and mentor junior culinary team members by providing guidance and leading by example.
• Collaborate with the Culinary, Front of House, and Events Teams to ensure smooth execution of each event.
• Assist with kitchen breakdown, cleaning, and organization following events to ensure the space is prepared for future operations.
• Adapt to changing event requirements and support additional operational needs as required.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2–3 years of experience in a professional kitchen environment, with previous experience in a Senior Cook, Lead Cook, or similar role preferred.
• Previous experience in event catering, banquet service, or high-volume culinary operations is considered an asset.
• Strong knowledge of cooking techniques, food preparation, and kitchen operations with the ability to execute a variety of menu items to a high standard.
• Ability to work independently on assigned stations while supporting the overall success of the culinary team.
• Strong attention to detail with a commitment to food quality, consistency, presentation, and proper portion control.
• Ability to prioritize tasks, manage multiple responsibilities, and remain organized in a fast-paced event environment.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to collaborate effectively with chefs, culinary team members, and event operations teams.
• Demonstrated ability to take initiative, solve problems, and adapt quickly to changing service requirements.
• Ability to assist with coaching and supporting junior culinary team members while contributing to a positive team environment.
• Strong understanding of food safety, sanitation standards, and safe kitchen practices.
• Reliable, dependable, and committed to maintaining high standards of professionalism and hospitality.
• Physically capable of standing for extended periods and lifting/moving up to 50 lbs as required.
• Flexible availability to work varying schedules, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and event-based shifts.
• Legally eligible to work in Canada.

Additional Information

Hourly wage: $23 - $25

Compensation may vary depending on location, as gratuity amounts differ by venue.

AI Disclosure
To ensure a fair and efficient recruitment process, some aspects of candidate screening may be conducted using AI software. All assessments and outcomes are reviewed by our hiring team to provide thoughtful, personalized consideration. We are committed to transparency and respect, ensuring a welcoming experience for every candidate.

Accessibility & Accommodation
Oliver & Bonacini is committed to providing an inclusive recruitment process. If you require accommodation or support during any stage of the hiring process, please let us know. We will work with you to ensure your needs are met in a respectful and timely manner.

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

We value and embrace diversity in all forms and encourage applicants from all backgrounds to apply. Our recruitment practices are designed to ensure fairness, equity, and opportunity for every candidate.