Head Chef

COMPANY: Fresh Start Health Retreat, 4384 South Island Hwy, Oyster Bay, BC, V9H 1E8

PAY: $28 to start, plus tips. The top pay per position is $35. Raises are gradual and subject to learning specific skills.

IMPORTANT! In this position, you work 3.5 weeks full-time alternating with 2.5 weeks off (this cycle repeats all year, except in the late fall/ winter there is about 6 weeks break). Please note that since we rent the facilities we operate from, we are not able to offer accommodation for travelling chefs. So you need to be local or move to our location.

START DATE: TBD

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead a small kitchen/ housekeeping team (currently 6 P/T staff and may slightly grow over time) :
  
  • Maintain consistency of operation and quality of service delivery by the team
  • Ensure the team is trained and cross-trained in various duties (other staff members train, too)
  • Maintain food quality and cleanliness standards
  • Ensure discipline in the kitchen/ housekeeping team (check timesheets for timeliness of breaks, punctuality and attendance, keeping daily logs)
    
  • Produce cost control
  • Shift Scheduling
  • Lead team meetings
  • Team nurturing, birthday celebrations and occasional team bonding activities, performance reviews, communications and conflict resolution
    
  • Regularly review/ update Team Training Sheets & meet with team members about their next training goals
• Meal Prep:
  • Prepare plated vegan meals for a group of up to 25 guests, following the current menu (will train our recipes). Note: With groups of 14-16+ people, there are two chefs scheduled.
  • Design custom menus for people with special dietary needs and instruct the team
  • Food supplies inventory, planning, ordering and purchasing (shared with other chefs)
    
  • Produce ordering and a "big" pre-program shop

Note: We are a small, close-knit team. We cross-train the entire kitchen/ housekeeping team in various duties (our motto is "Everyone cooks and everyone cleans."). In addition to food making, you'll be doing dishes, cleaning, juicing and fulfilling other similar duties. Please expect that cooking may become a smaller portion of what you do. You'll need to learn every type of shift and be ready to take on any shift, depending on the need.

You also need to work around the program dates and the company's needs (no time off during program dates and pre-program prep). You may have long work days and quickly change your shifts if the staff's availability suddenly changes. As a Manager, you need to be reliable and flexible. Note: If you decide to transition out, you commit to training a new chef and provide a notice of at least two 21-day programs prior.

• Additional Duties
  • Food demo classes (will train)
  • Knife skill tests for new job candidates
    
  • Relationship liaison with VIHA
  • Assist in the development/improvements of processes/ procedures, menu, guest recipe book and the kitchen/ housekeeping documentation updates in collaboration with Program Manager and in alignment with digestibility/ other health parameters of the program. It is a small part of this position.
  • Assistance with pre-screening and interviewing new hires - if requested
  • The list of duties is not exhaustive
    

Note: You work in a fast-paced environment; attention to detail and exceptional cleanliness are a must.

SCHEDULE:The nature of this position is intermittent: you will work five days per week for three weeks during our program dates (plus 3 days of preparation, such as planning of custom meals, pre-program shopping, etc/) and then have two and a half weeks off. There may be occasional additional hours between programs (must be pre-agreed upon).
There is a longer (6-7 weeks) break/ layoff in Nov-Dec. Please see program dates on our website at www.healthretreat.ca

HOURS: Morning Shift 7:00 a.m. to 2:30-4:30 p.m. On shopping days, your day may end at 5:30-6 p.m. Evening Shift 1:00 p.m. to 7:30-8:30 p.m. Minus 30-minute break. Most shifts are morning ones. Shift length may vary depending on the need.Due to the management nature of this position, during the program, you may need to work extra hours and days to sub or train the staff.

SKILLS REQUIRED:

• Maturity and responsibility (age does not matter) - must be able to carry responsibility and handle various situations with staff and customers
• Previous experience in leading a team of 10+ people
• Enjoys helping others grow professionally and personally (vs doing everything by oneself)
• Ability to independently prepare plated vegan meals for a group of up to 25 people (ex., catering, camp cook)
• Experience with meal customization to individual dietary needs (ex., diabetic, allergies, oxalate diet, nightshade-free diet, etc.)
  
• Great knife skills, high efficiency and experience in a commercial kitchen
• Fine dining prep experience would be an asset (= your food is aesthetically appealing)
  
• Adequate computer skills (you'll be working with Meal Shopping Software "Parsley" and some other company systems). Microsoft and Excel - intermediate level

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Food Safe, First Aid Level 1, Clean Driver's Abstract and Criminal Record Check (if missing, will need to acquire when hired)
• Reliable vehicle and valid driver's license
• You live within a comfortable driving distance from 4384 South Island Highway (located on Hwy 19a, close to Willow Point) or are willing to relocate at your own cost
• When hiring staff, you must be available for candidate interviews/ pre-screen between programs
  

PERSONALITY:

• Grounded, positive personality with a caring attitude
  
• Ability to think quickly on your feet, multitask and manage multiple details related to different clients
• You are able to go up and down the stairs multiple times, lift fruit boxes and be on your feet all day
  
• No-job-is-below-me attitude - you are happy to be a part of the co-caring team and do whatever needs to get done
  
• Cleanliness (you keep your workstation immaculate)
  
• Team player and adaptable
• Punctual, reliable and organized

ABOUT THE COMPANY

Founded in 2005, we specialize in 5-21-Day Health and Wellness Retreats. Our specialty programs include: Detox and Recharge, Physical Health, Emotional Wellness, and Quit Smoking.

LOCATION AND FACILITIES PICTURES: https://healthretreat.box.com/s/myrmx5aju2sy4qlp95npuix0a1mhp760

DRINKS AND MEALS PICS: https://healthretreat.box.com/s/i6fa3y0z6djizwl0hwcbuunhhe0xws5b

Food that you will be preparing: Our unique menu is designed to help individuals with digestive issues, such as IBS, bloating and heartburn. We use vegan organic food without preservatives, made from scratch. In the future, we may offer fish to those with special need. You don't need to be vegan, but having some experience with vegetarian/ vegan foods is a must.

Approximately 10-30% of our guests require meal customizations. A small % of clients may require advanced customization, such as nightshades, cashews/ almonds (our staples), or a diet limited to a few ingredients.

OUR GUESTS' STORIES: the stories are long; please feel free to listen to the intro or the entire one

STORY 1 https://www.healthretreat.ca/testimonial-items/my-blood-sugar-has-normalized-completely-and-thats-with-zero-medication/

STORY 2https://www.healthretreat.ca/testimonial-items/how-after-20-yrs-of-battling-with-hashimotos-i-lost-53-lbs/

STORY 3 https://www.healthretreat.ca/testimonial-items/i-overcame-resentment-towards-a-parent-and-love-and-grieve-that-parent-now/

PERKS:

• One 90-minute massage per 21-day program
• Some free meals
• Positive, respectful and co-caring team environment
• Working with healthy ingredients (farm-to-table)
• Beautiful ocean-front location and facility
• Health supplements at a discount (40% savings)
• Access to the Fresh Start spa services at a cost (50-55% savings): Naturopathic, massages, spa treatments, acupuncture, etc.
• Free access to the on-site Fitness Room
• Free access to educational classes and other health-related materials
• Free access to the halotherapy (=salt cocoon) and infrared sauna (on Sun during program only)
• Tips

If you would like to make a difference in people's lives and health, please apply ASAP!