Salt + Ash - Chef de Cuisine

Chef de Cuisine at Salt + Ash Beach House with Freehand Hospitality

About Freehand HospitalityRooted in chef-led creativity, our team is passionate about bringing people together with bold flavours, thoughtful ingredients, and warm, welcoming service. We celebrate diverse culinary styles—from upscale Maritime dining to classic French fare—paired with genuine hospitality that leaves a lasting impression. Every dish tells a story, and every experience celebrates connection, community, and a true sense of place in Halifax.

About Salt + Ash Beach House

We pride ourselves on using quality, local ingredients to deliver simply prepared dishes that showcase the best of Nova Scotia. Our approachable menu of comforting, rustic, and hearty dishes with a touch of coastal flair offers something for everyone, from wood-fired pizzas and an impressive array of grilled and smoked meat and seafood to unique brunch dishes and late-night snacks. At Salt + Ash, there’s no greater joy than having our guests sink their teeth into a lip-smacking burger, succulent piece of fried chicken, a perfectly charred pepperoni pie or crispy fish and chips made fresh to order.

Job Description
Salt + Ash is looking for a Chef de Cuisine who will lead all kitchen operations, ensuring consistency, excellence, and efficiency in every service. This position requires a strong leader who can train and motivate the team, manage inventory and food costs, and uphold the highest standards of food quality and safety.

What you will be doing as a Chef de Cuisine:

• Communicating the restaurant's vision to all team members and leading by example;

• Recruiting, training, mentoring, and managing kitchen staff, fostering a positive and professional environment;
• Setting performance goals and conduct regular evaluations for kitchen staff;
• Fostering teamwork and collaboration between front- and back-of-house teams;
• Creating and maintaining seasonal, innovative menus that reflect the restaurant’s concept and target audience;
• Overseeing daily kitchen operations, ensuring food is prepared and presented to the highest standards;
• Managing inventory, including ordering, storage, and usage of ingredients;
• Ensuring equipment is well-maintained and report any maintenance issues promptly;
• Implementing systems to reduce waste and maximize efficiency through appropriate portioning and adherence to approved recipes;
• Analyzing sales and expenses to improve profitability while maintaining quality;
• Sourcing cost-effective, high-quality ingredients;
• Engaging with guests to understand their preferences and gather feedback on food quality and presentation to refine dishes and enhance offerings, ensuring excellence in taste, presentation, and timeliness;
• Handling special requests, dietary restrictions, and complaints professionally;

• Such other related duties and responsibilities as may be required from time to time.

The person we are looking for has:

• 2-3 years proven experience in a managerial role within a high-volume, high-quality kitchen;
• strong leadership, interpersonal, and communication skills;
• in-depth knowledge of culinary techniques and flavor profiles;
• ability to manage budgets, food costs, and labor effectively;
• Red Seal Certification or equivalent is an asset;
• Food Safety Certification required.

Why join us and what's in it for you?

• Competitive salary
• Comprehensive extended Health & Dental benefits
• Integrated learning environment with room to grow
• Access to our gym and fitness facility
• Dining discount at Freehand locations
• Company RRSP contributions
• Uniform and dining allowance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Eligible for company referral bonus program
• Working along side a collaborative team of likeminded individuals

A member of The Armour Group, Freehand Hospitality is an equal opportunity employer. We value our employees and their well-being. If you would like to join an organization with which you can have a work-life balance, career growth, long term job stability, and an opportunity to positively contribute to the community, this position may be for you!

Qualified applicants are invited to apply through the job link or submit their resume and cover letter to [email protected]. Please note that, while we thank all applicants for applying, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.