Event Cook

Be part of delivering exceptional events with Peake of Catering. This is a hands-on, service-focused role where you’ll support event-day execution, ensuring dishes are finished, plated, and sent out smoothly and on time. Working alongside our experienced events and in-house kitchen team, you’ll contribute to delivering high-quality food service that meets Peake’s standards.

About the Position

The role of Event Cook is to support on-site event service across a wide range of event types and formats. This position is best suited for someone who thrives in fast-paced environments, takes direction well, and takes pride in delivering consistent, high-quality food during service.

You will be responsible for assisting in the execution of diverse event styles, which may include weddings, corporate functions, private events, plated service, family-style service, buffets, and canapés. You will work as part of a kitchen team to ensure events are executed smoothly from preparation through to service and breakdown.

Major Responsibilities

• Assist in the execution of event menus on-site, ensuring timely preparation and delivery of dishes during service
• Follow direction from the Lead Event Chef to ensure menus, timelines, and dietary requirements are correctly executed.
• Support final preparation, cooking, and presentation of dishes, maintaining consistency and quality standards.
• Work collaboratively with the kitchen team (2–8 chefs depending on event size) to maintain smooth and efficient service flow.
• Coordinate with kitchen team to ensure well-timed food delivery.
• Respond quickly to direction and adjust to changes during service as required.
• Maintain kitchen organization and cleanliness during events.
• Support breakdown after service, including proper food handling, storage, and cleaning procedures.
• Follow all culinary, safety, and sanitation standards (including HACCP).

Education, Skills & Qualifications

• 2+ years experience in catering, banquet, or high-volume kitchens.
• FoodSafe certification required.
• Strong understanding of plated, family-style, buffet, and canapé service.
• Experience working events or services with tight timelines.
• Ability to stay organized and composed in fast-paced, high-pressure environments.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills.
• Professional demeanor and appearance.

Ongoing Expectations and Physical/Mental Demands

• This role requires lifting of supplies, equipment, and product.
• This position requires long periods of standing and moving.
• Frequent interruptions from team members while multitasking daily duties.
• Immediate environment will frequently be noisy, fast-paced, and high-pressure.
• Ongoing exposure to normal kitchen hazards (ovens, sharp objects, slippery surfaces).
• Tight timelines and quick transitions during service.
• This is a seasonal position (May–September) with shifts primarily scheduled Friday through Sunday.

About Peake Catering

Peake is an industry-leading, full-service catering company that has been creating delicious moments in Vancouver for over 30 years. From large plated dinners to casual cocktail receptions and elegant weddings, Peake’s exceptional team of event professionals make it their mission to deliver great memories and extraordinary food to all our clients and guests. As an ever-expanding company we are always looking for opportunities to grow our business as well as our family of staff. Peake offers competitive pay and great perks like free lunch every day, staff parties, an awesome team recognition program, and maintains a collaborative, respectful, fun work environment. We take pride in everything we do and are looking for committed individuals who share our core values and vision. Our commitment to excellence, environmentalism, and inclusivity, as well as our phenomenal reputation and accommodating, personable service and hospitality is what sets us apart as one of Vancouver’s foremost caterers. We hope you will consider joining us as we work to deliver more great services and delicious moments across this great city.

Our Core Values

• Driven – compelled to accomplish goals through hard work and ambition
• Sincere – acting with honesty and integrity
• Humorous – we make each other laugh
• Thoughtful Acts – showing consideration for the needs of others
• Creative Solutions – imaginative and original ideas in the production of artistic work