Head Chef / Kitchen Leader

ASPIRE TALENT ACQUISITION is thrilled to partner with Leuty's on Queen, a dynamic new neighbourhood restaurant set to open in The Beaches, Toronto, this summer. Our mission is to create an elevated everyday dining experience where quality food, exceptional service, and genuine hospitality converge, fostering a community hub people love to return to. We are seeking a visionary Head Chef / Kitchen Leader to join our hands-on, collaborative ownership team. This is a unique opportunity to truly put your name on something by building a kitchen from scratch and shaping its culinary identity from day one.

Key Responsibilities:

• Build and inspire a high-performing kitchen team, overseeing hiring, comprehensive training, and fostering a positive, inclusive culture.
• Collaborate closely with ownership to develop and refine a compelling menu that reflects our vision for elevated everyday dining, offering significant creative input.
• Efficiently manage back-of-house operations, including ownership of food costs, precise ordering, inventory control, and optimizing prep systems.
• Establish and uphold stringent standards for food consistency, quality, and kitchen hygiene, ensuring an exceptional guest experience.
• Engage directly with the ownership team on day-to-day operational decisions, contributing to the overall success and growth of the restaurant.

This is a truly hands-on leadership role; you will be actively working on the line, not just managing it.

Requirements & Qualifications:

We are looking for a passionate Sous Chef ready to take the next step, or an experienced Head Chef eager to build a culinary program from the ground up rather than inherit an existing one.

• 4–6+ years of progressive kitchen experience, with at least 1–2 years in a leadership capacity.
• Demonstrated understanding of operational excellence, prioritizing food cost management, consistency, and flawless execution.
• Proven experience thriving in independent restaurant environments and a preference for such dynamic settings.
• A natural leader with the ability to build cohesive teams where talent feels valued and motivated to stay.
• Currently based in Toronto or the East GTA.

While a Red Seal certification is an asset, your attitude, culinary passion, and track record of success are what truly matter to us.

Benefits:

• Unparalleled opportunity to shape the kitchen and menu from the pre-opening phase, making a lasting impact.
• Direct collaboration with a supportive ownership team, ensuring real input and meaningful conversations about the culinary direction.
• Competitive base salary complemented by performance-based incentives.
• Significant potential for long-term professional growth and development within a new, expanding establishment.
• Work in The Beaches, one of Toronto's most vibrant and community-driven neighbourhoods.

If you're ready to lead a kitchen, innovate with a passionate team, and create a beloved dining experience, we encourage you to apply. Join us in building something special from the ground up!