Head Chef

**This is a seasonal, contract position from mid-February to mid-November. $22.00 - $28.00 an hour, commensurate with experience.**

As the **Head Chef** for Kingston 1000 Islands Cruises, you will play a key role in delivering an exceptional guest experience onboard our sightseeing and dining cruises, and on our dockside patio, by leading and motivating a culinary team to provide high quality food service to guests.

Join a fast-paced, service-focused team in one of Ontario’s most unique and rewarding work environments. Discover why Kingston and the 1000 Islands attract visitors from around the world, as you help to create an inspiring hospitality experience for our guests.

**Season**: The Kingston 1000 Islands Cruises operating season begins in April and ends in October.

**Qualifications**:

- Previous culinary experience, preferably in a supervisory role, is required.
- Positive attitude and approach to leadership, collaboration and communication.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced, guest-focused environment.
- Strong verbal & written communication skills in English.
- Proficient with Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel).
- Heavy lifting and other demanding physical work occasionally required.
- Safe Food Handlers Certificate required. Smart-Serve Certificate is an asset.

**Responsibilities**:

- Manage culinary team of 8-12 prep/galley cooks on a day-to-day basis.
- Oversee departmental operations onboard and in the onshore kitchen.
- Promote a positive work environment while coaching and mentoring.
- Assist Food & Beverage team with hiring, training, scheduling, and coordination of culinary department.
- Contribute to creating a culinary-specific training program for onboarding team members.
- Collaborate and liaise with managers, supervisors and other team members to ensure smooth operations.
- Concept and cost out recipes to design menus for dining cruises, canteen, patio, and private events.
- Regularly order food product from suppliers, maintaining inventory and accuracy of COGs.
- Create documentation for all standard operating procedures.
- Ensure recipe guidelines and presentation are followed as outlined.
- Ensure adherence to local health department standards and regulations.
- Maintain safe, clean, and organized work areas in onboard galleys and in onshore kitchen.
- Assist with daily cleaning responsibilities and completion of reports.
- Follow proper HACCP, FIFO, and other safe food handling procedures.
- Abide by the Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) that outline hazardous chemical use.

**About Kingston Destination Group**:
Kingston Destination Group is committed to hospitality excellence as the portal to inspired visitor experience in the Kingston 1000 Islands destination. We create, sell and operate cruises, tours and experiences through our experiential brands, including Kingston 1000 Islands Cruises, The Helm: Dockside Patio, Kingston Trolley Tours, Waterfront Gifts & Apparel, Kingston Walks, and K-Pass.

Kingston 1000 Islands Cruises operates the “Food, Fun and Entertainment Ships” of the 1000 Islands, demonstrating hospitality excellence on 1-hour and 3-hour cruises departing from downtown Kingston. Cruises sail on a fleet of three sightseeing and dining vessels ranging in size from 150 to 250 passengers: The Island Belle, The Island Queen, and the Island Star.

**Job Types**: Full-time, Part-time, Fixed term contract, Seasonal
Contract length: 9 months

Pay: $22.00-$28.00 per hour

Expected hours: 30 - 40 per week

Additional pay:

- Bonus pay

Schedule:

- Day shift
- Evening shift
- Holidays
- Weekends as needed

Work Location: In person

Expected start date: 2025-02-17