Shay Ristorante – Toronto
Senior Chef de Partie
We are seeking a Senior Chef de Partie to take a leadership role in the kitchen of a new high-end Italian restaurant opening soon in one of Toronto's most prestigious neighbourhoods. This position sits between the Chef de Partie and sous chef level — and it comes with the responsibility, visibility, and creative involvement that reflects that.
You will be stepping into a kitchen that is serious about its craft, well-resourced, and being built to operate at the highest level. If you are ready to lead, contribute to a culinary vision, and help shape the culture of a kitchen from opening day, this is the opportunity. Compensation and scheduling details will be discussed privately with candidates who advance through the process.
THE CONCEPT: A MODERN EXPRESSION OF ELEVATED ITALIAN DINING
Shay is being built as a destination where craftsmanship and genuine hospitality converge. Rooted in seasonal Italian tradition and executed with precision and contemporary sensibility, the culinary program is designed for a discerning Toronto audience.
What guests will find at Shay:
● An ingredient-driven menu grounded in Italian culinary tradition with modern technique and finesse
● A kitchen built for precision, high craft, and consistent excellence
● A dining room that embraces understated luxury and genuine hospitality
● A team committed to building something exceptional and enduring in the Toronto dining landscape
POSITION OVERVIEW
The Senior Chef de Partie leads their section with full autonomy and acts as a key support for kitchen leadership across the broader operation. Beyond owning their station, they play an active role in training, quality control, and the day-to-day running of the kitchen. This is a role for someone who is already thinking like a sous chef and is ready to operate at that level.
WHAT YOU WILL DO
Section and service leadership
● Take full ownership of your station and hold it to an uncompromising standard across prep, service, and close
● Lead and develop the cooks working within your section, providing hands-on coaching and clear direction
● Act as a point of escalation and calm problem-solving during service when leadership is occupied elsewhere
● Model the standard of execution, organization, and professionalism the kitchen is built around
● Support and mentor Chef de Partie and junior cooks across the kitchen as part of a collaborative leadership team
Culinary contribution
● Execute all dishes with precision, consistency, and a deep understanding of the culinary direction
● Actively contribute to menu development, seasonal transitions, and new dish ideation in collaboration with the culinary team
● Bring knowledge of Italian culinary traditions, regional ingredients, and technique to the creative process
● Ensure recipes, plating specs, and portion guides are followed and upheld across your section
Operational responsibility
● Manage ordering, inventory, and cost control for your section with accuracy and accountability
● Support kitchen leadership with scheduling, briefings, and broader operational needs as required
● Uphold all food safety, sanitation, and compliance requirements without exception
● Contribute to a kitchen culture where the standard is high and the team is invested in each other's success
WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR
Required
● Minimum 4 to 5 years of professional kitchen experience, including a strong tenure at the Chef de Partie level
● Demonstrated ability to lead a section and develop the people working within it
● Deep technical skill and the ability to execute at a fine dining standard under pressure
● Solid and genuine knowledge of Italian cuisine, ingredients, and regional traditions
● Experience contributing to or leading menu development
● Food Handler certification and eligibility to work in Ontario
An advantage
● Formal culinary training or recognized apprenticeship
● Experience in acclaimed Italian or European fine dining kitchens
● Prior involvement in a restaurant opening or concept launch
● Familiarity with Toronto's culinary landscape, suppliers, and seasonal produce
The kind of person we are looking for
● A natural leader who earns respect through skill, consistency, and the way they treat their team
● Someone who sees beyond their own station and takes responsibility for the kitchen as a whole
● Passionate about Italian food and genuinely motivated by the process of building something great
● Calm, decisive, and clear under pressure — the person the team looks to when things get difficult
● Ambitious and ready for the next step, with the discipline to earn it the right way
THE ENVIRONMENT
● Evening and weekend availability required
● A high-performance kitchen culture built on craft, accountability, and genuine respect
● Close collaboration with the culinary leadership team from day one
Pay: $17.60-$27.57 per hour
Benefits:
Work Location: In person
