We are seeking a focused, efficient, and reliable Morning Prep Cook to join our award-winning kitchen brigade. In this role, you will be the backbone of our daily kitchen operations, working directly with fresh, seasonal ingredients to set our line up for success. This is an exceptional opportunity for a detail-oriented professional to work extensively with whole-animal utilization, farm-to-table sourcing, and advanced scratch-prep techniques.
Key Responsibilities of a Morning Prep Cook:
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Manage the morning prep shift, arriving early to independently execute high-volume culinary prep before the rest of the team arrives.
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Execute detailed daily prep lists, ensuring all ingredients are washed, weighed, meticulously cut, and portioned to exact specifications.
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Process raw ingredients efficiently, including high-yield vegetable processing, large-batch slow-braises, and foundational stock reductions.
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Assist with whole-animal utilization tasks, supporting the culinary leadership team with basic butchery prep, rendering fats, and curing processes.
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Organize and accept incoming deliveries, verifying ingredient quality and checking invoices against incoming restaurant orders.
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Label, date, and properly rotate all food storage containers in walk-in coolers to strictly comply with local food safety regulations.
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Maintain strict standards of kitchen sanitation, ensuring your prep station, equipment, and shared coolers remain immaculate and organized.
Education and Experience Requirements:
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Minimum 2 years professional kitchen experience, with a dedicated focus on scratch-prep operations in a high-volume or upscale casual setting.
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A diploma in culinary arts, Journeyman Certification, and/or Food Safety Certification are considered strong assets.
Technical and Professional Skill Requirements:
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Ability to work independently and maintain a high pace without constant direct supervision.
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Ability to perform uniform culinary cuts (e.g., julienne, brunoise) rapidly with minimal waste.
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Excellent organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple prep timers and tasks simultaneously.
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Strong understanding of food safety, temperature logs, and proper cross-contamination prevention.
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Excellent verbal communication and active listening skills.
Physical Requirements:
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Ability to stand, walk, bend, and move constantly for shifts lasting 8 to 10 hours.
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Ability to lift and carry hot kitchen objects or raw ingredients weighing up to 50 lbs (23 kg).
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Capacity to work safely in tight spaces and operate commercial prep machinery (e.g., meat slicers, food processors).
The Right Candidate possesses the following Mindset:
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Integrity to do the job right every single time, ensuring every task, from deep cleaning to final plating, is executed correctly without cutting corners, even when unsupervised.
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Drive to experiment, collaborate, and contribute ideas to new dishes.
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Eagerness for teamwork, collaboration, and uplifting those around you.
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Enthusiasm to give, receive, and implement constructive feedback with peers and leadership.
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Passion for local Canadian food and sustainable sourcing.
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Positivity, innate optimism, and a strong problem-solving attitude.
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Commitment to lifetime learning and mastering the culinary craft.
Schedule & Availability:
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Shift Times: 7:00 AM – 3:30 PM (Weekdays & Saturdays).
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Work-Life Balance: 5 day workweek depending on business levels (38 to 44 hours per week).
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Availability: Willing to work early mornings and Saturdays. We are closed Sundays!
