Sous-Chef Job

Aria Ristorante is an Italian fine-dining restaurant located in downtown Toronto at 25 York Street, near Maple Leaf Square. The restaurant offers authentic Italian cuisine in a contemporary urban setting, using fresh, high-quality ingredients to create elegant and refined dishes. Aria also accommodates private parties, corporate functions, and special events.
We are always looking for talented and experienced individuals to join our team. At this time, we are seeking a skilled Sous-Chef to support our culinary operations, including menu preparation, kitchen supervision, and the delivery of high-quality dishes for regular service, private events, and special functions.
Duties will include the following:
- Assist the Executive Chef with the daily operation of Aria Ristorante’s kitchen and ensure efficient food preparation and service.
- Supervise cooks and other kitchen staff during food preparation, cooking, plating, and service.
- Prepare and cook Italian dishes, complete meals, sauces, soups, appetizers, pasta, meat, poultry, fish, vegetables, and other menu items.
- Ensure that all dishes are prepared according to established recipes, presentation standards, portion sizes, and quality requirements.
- Instruct kitchen staff in food preparation, cooking methods, garnishing, plating, and presentation techniques.
- Demonstrate proper cooking techniques and the safe use of kitchen tools and equipment.
- Assist with developing new recipes, seasonal dishes, daily specials, and menu items consistent with the restaurant’s Italian cuisine.
- Participate in menu planning and recommend improvements based on ingredient availability, customer preferences, and operational requirements.
- Monitor food quality, freshness, taste, temperature, and presentation before dishes are served.
- Coordinate kitchen activities to ensure that customer orders are prepared accurately and served within established service times.
- Assign duties to kitchen staff, organize workstations, and assist with scheduling and workflow coordination.
- Monitor food inventory and requisition ingredients, food products, and kitchen supplies as required.
- Assist with receiving deliveries and verify the quality, quantity, freshness, and proper storage of food products.
- Minimize food waste by monitoring preparation practices, portion control, inventory rotation, and proper food storage.
- Ensure compliance with food safety, sanitation, workplace health and safety, and kitchen cleanliness standards.
- Maintain clean and organized food preparation, cooking, storage, and service areas.
- Assist with training and evaluating cooks and other kitchen employees.
- Take responsibility for kitchen operations and supervise food service in the Executive Chef’s absence.
- Prepare meals and specialty dishes for regular restaurant service, private events, and special functions.
- Address food preparation or service issues promptly and communicate operational concerns to the Executive Chef.
Position Requirements:
- Completion of secondary school is required.
- Culinary education or relevant professional kitchen training is an asset.
- Two to three years of professional cooking experience, including experience in a supervisory kitchen role.
- Experience preparing Italian cuisine in a full-service restaurant.
- Strong knowledge of food preparation, food safety, portion control, and presentation standards.
- Ability to supervise kitchen staff and work efficiently in a fast-paced environment.
- Availability to work evenings, weekends, holidays, and flexible shifts.
- Ability to communicate effectively in English in a professional kitchen environment.
Compensation and Working Conditions:
- Permanent, full-time position
- $37.00 per hour with applicable overtime pay after 44 hours of work per week
- 30 hours of work per week
Location:
- 25 York St, Toronto, ON M5J 2V5
Please apply by email at [email protected] and include your resume. Only candidates who are suitable for the position will be contacted for an in-person interview. Please do not contact the restaurant directly.