executive chef

Position SummaryThe Executive Chef & Culinary Training Lead is responsible for leading kitchen operations, supporting food production, maintaining food quality standards, and providing hands-on culinary training to kitchen staff. This role supports the daily operation of Shelly's Indigenous Bistro, including restaurant service, takeout, delivery, catering, and special events.The successful candidate will be an experienced kitchen professional with strong leadership, training, organization, and food preparation skills. This position plays an important role in building kitchen consistency, mentoring cooks and prep staff, maintaining food safety standards, and supporting a respectful, team-oriented kitchen environment.Core Responsibilities - Kitchen Leadership & Food Production Lead daily kitchen operations during assigned shifts. Prepare, cook, and oversee the production of menu items, catering orders, and special event food. Ensure food is prepared according to recipes, portion standards, quality expectations, and presentation standards. Maintain consistency in taste, quality, portioning, and plating. Support menu execution for dine-in, takeout, delivery, catering, and community-based food services. Monitor food preparation timelines to support efficient service. Troubleshoot kitchen issues during service and adjust priorities as needed. Support food costing, waste reduction, and portion control practices. Assist with menu development, recipe refinement, and seasonal or special menu items as directed. Core Responsibilities - Culinary Training & Staff Development Provide hands-on cooking and food preparation training to cooks, prep cooks, and kitchen staff. Teach safe knife skills, food preparation methods, cooking techniques, portioning, plating, and kitchen organization. Support new staff onboarding and kitchen orientation. Provide coaching, correction, and guidance in a respectful and professional manner. Help build confidence and skill development among kitchen team members. Promote teamwork, accountability, and safe work practices. Identify training needs and communicate staff development concerns to management. Lead by example through professionalism, reliability, cleanliness, and respectful communication. Core Responsibilities - Food Safety, Cleanliness & Compliance Ensure all food is prepared, stored, labelled, and rotated according to food safety standards. Maintain compliance with Manitoba food safety requirements and workplace safety standards. Monitor kitchen cleanliness, sanitation, and organization. Ensure proper use, cleaning, and maintenance of kitchen equipment. Report equipment, maintenance, safety, or sanitation concerns promptly. Support proper inventory rotation using FIFO practices. Ensure staff follow workplace safety, food safety, and sanitation procedures. Maintain accurate records as required for food safety, inventory, or operational purposes. Core Responsibilities - Inventory, Ordering & Operational Support Assist with inventory management, stock organization, and supply tracking. Communicate ingredient shortages, ordering needs, and stock concerns to management. Support catering preparation, packaging, transport coordination, and event production as required. Work collaboratively with front-of-house staff, drivers, catering staff, and management. Assist with scheduling input, kitchen planning, and workload organization as directed. Perform other related duties as assigned. Qualifications & Experience Previous experience as a chef, sous chef, lead cook, kitchen supervisor, or senior cook is required. Previous experience training, mentoring, or supervising kitchen staff is strongly preferred. Strong cooking, food preparation, and knife skills. Experience working in a fast-paced commercial kitchen environment. Ability to follow and teach recipes, portion standards, and food preparation procedures. Strong knowledge of food safety, sanitation, storage, and k