Cafe jobs in Canada

Overview

Pistachio Café is a vegetarian gelato café located in downtown Gananoque. “Pasta on the Patio” is a licensed table service restaurant operated by Pistachio Café from late June to Labour Day each summer. In 2025, the operating dates are Friday, June 20, to Monday, September 1, from 5 to 9 pm daily. It is exclusively an outdoor restaurant, so operations are weather-dependent. The menu is vegetarian, focusing on pasta and similar dishes, with appetizers and desserts also offered. The typical weekend volume is 20 to 35 meals per evening. Most food preparation is done in advance by the Kitchen Assistant. We are looking for a Chef or Cook to prepare meals to order and oversee operations while on shift. We recognize this opportunity is for a short period, so flexible arrangements are welcome. Training will be provided for those with home cooking experience, organizational skills, and composure. Employment would start a few days prior to opening for training. The hours are 4 or 5 days per week (preferably Wednesday or Thursday through Sunday), from 4 pm to approximately 10 pm.

Job Responsibilities

1. Work with the owner to schedule staff (servers and bartender) based on expected volumes.
2. Make a “weather call” daily between 1 and 2 pm based on forecasts (consulting with owners if in doubt) and inform staff of any cancellations by 2 pm.
3. Organize ingredients for service. Most food prep will be completed in advance, but some may be needed on-site.
4. Brief servers on menu changes and daily café options.
5. Prepare meals to order, ensuring timely delivery of hot meals.
6. Communicate effectively with staff regarding order timing and status.
7. Support servers by delivering orders, clearing tables, and doing dishes as needed.
8. If time permits, engage with customers about their experience.
9. Provide feedback and guidance to servers and bartender on performance and customer service.
10. Monitor inventory and update shopping lists with quantities.
11. Leave instructions for dinner prep for the Kitchen Assistant.
12. During shifts without the Café Manager, resolve staff or customer issues as “manager on duty”.
13. Handle last-minute coverage gaps as needed, working with overall scheduling handled by the owner.