Apprentice II - Culinary Unrestricted (Full-time)

Company Description

Recognized as the #1 Best Canadian Hotel in Travel + Leisure's 2025 & 2026 World's Best Awards, Fairmont Empress is located in Victoria, BC, overlooking the city's sparkling Inner Harbour. A Forbes recommended and MICHELIN key hotel that offers 431 beautifully appointed guest rooms and suites, Fairmont Spa with signature West Coast experiences, and Q at the Empress featuring Pacific Northwest cuisine, an award-winning wine list, and regionally focused cocktail culture. World-famous Tea at the Empress is served in the Lobby Lounge with stunning harbour views. The magnificent property completed a $60+ million restoration in 2017 that celebrated its proud history while moving the hotel into a new era of modern luxury and transforming the iconic property into a must-visit destination. In 2023, the property introduced a revamped Fairmont Gold Experience, including a major renovation to the Fairmont Gold floor. 88 Fairmont Gold rooms and a newly renovated lounge are ready to accommodate guests. Located on Vancouver Island, Canada's Castle on the Coast is the ideal starting point to explore British Columbia's stunning natural and expansive beauty. Historic Hotels Worldwide recognizes the property's prestigious grounds as the Top 25 Most Magnificent Gardens in the World.

Job Description

What is in it for you:

• Employee benefit card offering discounted rates at Accor properties worldwide and additional benefits for Fairmont and Raffles colleagues
• Exclusive Employee and Friends & Family Discounts at Fairmont Empress Hotel
• Exclusive access to the Pacific Northwest Food & Beverage Discount Program with 50% off at our dining destinations in Vancouver, Victoria, and Whistler
• Opportunity to develop your talent and grow within your property and across the world!
• Complimentary meal during your shift through our Colleague Dining Program
• Complimentary uniform laundering
• Access to our comprehensive benefits and wellness programs, including extended healthcare benefits and RMT, dental, vision, and complimentary counseling, wellness sessions, financial and family planning through GreenShield
• Access to our company-matched Defined Contribution Pension Plan (DCPP)
• Opportunity to develop your talent through coaching and our Leadership Mentoring Programs
• Hourly pay rate of $27.11 to 30.99

What you will be doing:

Reporting to the Executive Chef, Executive Sous Chef, Sous Chef, or Chef de Partie, the Culinary Apprentice II is a developing culinary professional progressing through a recognized apprenticeship program. Building on foundational kitchen experience, this role is responsible for preparing and presenting high-quality food while continuing to develop advanced culinary skills in a luxury hotel environment.

The successful candidate will demonstrate strong culinary fundamentals, a commitment to continuous learning, and the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, team-oriented kitchen.

• Prepare, cook, and present menu items in accordance with Fairmont standards, recipes, and presentation guidelines.
• Work across various culinary outlets including Q at the Empress, Lobby Lounge, Banquets, In-Room Dining, and Colleague Dining.
• Support daily food production while ensuring consistency, quality, and portion control.
• Apply advanced knife skills and cooking techniques appropriate to apprenticeship level.
• Assist in the preparation of sauces, stocks, soups, proteins, vegetables, desserts, and specialty menu items.
• Organize and maintain assigned workstations and ensure proper mise en place is completed.
• Monitor and maintain food quality, freshness, and product rotation following FIFO principles.
• Follow all food safety, sanitation, occupational health and safety, and WHMIS requirements.
• Assist with inventory control, receiving, and proper storage of food products.
• Collaborate with culinary leaders and colleagues to ensure exceptional guest satisfaction.
• Participate in apprenticeship training requirements and successfully complete designated learning objectives and evaluations.
• Support the training and mentorship of entry-level kitchen colleagues and Culinary Apprentice I team members when required
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Qualifications

Your experience and skills include:

• Experience and skill development should align with the occupational standards established for SkilledTradesBC Professional Cook 2 (PC2) certification.
• Registered in or actively progressing through a recognized Red Seal Culinary Apprenticeship Program.
• Completion of First-Year Apprenticeship training or equivalent experience.
• Minimum 1 year of professional kitchen experience preferred.
• Valid FOODSAFE Level 1 Certification required.
• Strong understanding of food preparation techniques, kitchen operations, and food safety standards.
• Ability to work efficiently under pressure while maintaining quality and attention to detail.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills.
• Passion for culinary excellence and professional growth.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule including mornings, evenings, weekends, holidays, and split shifts.
• Previous experience in a luxury hotel, fine dining, or high-volume culinary environment.
• FOODSAFE Level 2 Certification considered an asset.
• Knowledge of sustainable and locally sourced ingredients.

Additional Information

Physical ability to perform the requirements of the job, including:

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods throughout the shift.
• Ability to frequently bend, lift, push, pull, and carry up to 50 lbs (23 kg).
• Ability to safely operate kitchen equipment
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced and high-temperature environment.

Visa Requirements: Must be legally eligible to work in Canada. The hotel is unable to assist candidates in obtaining Canadian work authorization.

Your team and working environment: Welcome to Canada’s Castle on the Coast. The Empress Hotel sits proudly at the centre of culture and history in Victoria, British Columbia. This is the best of all worlds – where contrast meets distinction, opulence blends harmoniously with the understated and fabled history meshes with contemporary affairs. This award-winning Victoria hotel and National Historic Site is an alluring blend of classic and contemporary, vintage and cutting-edge: Where Modern meets Iconic. Come join our wonderful team of hospitality experts!

Our commitment to Diversity & Inclusion:
We are an inclusive company and our ambition is to attract, recruit and promote diverse talent.
Why work for Accor?
We are far more than a worldwide leader. We welcome you as you are and you can find a job and brand that matches your personality. We support you to grow and learn every day, making sure that work brings purpose to your life, so that during your journey with us, you can continue to explore Accor’s limitless possibilities.
By joining Accor, every chapter of your story is yours to write and together we can imagine tomorrow's hospitality. Discover the life that awaits you at Accor, visit https://careers.accor.com/

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