Head Chef

**The Blossom Group (Cherry Blossom Farm, Apple Blossom Village and Blooming Acres**) is seeking a highly skilled Head Chef, to be an integral part of a busy, dynamic, and growing new Cherry Blossom Farm program. We provide a home for people with complex special needs. Through our therapeutic live-in programs, we support children, youth, and adults through a range of cognitive, social and emotional issues, including Autism Spectrum Disorders, neurobiological and developmental disabilities, and those with coexisting mental health and behavioural issues.
- **Our vision is a world that embraces people with complex special needs.**:

- **Our mission is to create supportive nurturing communities that enable residents to develop to their maximum potential and enjoy an exceptional quality of life.**:

- **To achieve our vision and mission we strive for excellence in every aspect of care and create individualized programs that are developmentally focused, family involved, relationship based, competence centered, trauma informed, and ecologically oriented.**

**Responsibilities include, but are not limited to**:

- Plans, prepares and produces all meals and catered services as per the posted menus, following Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) principles.
- Coordinates menu planning and recipe development by providing input on resident acceptability and needs. Also provides menus and recipes for our other locations as needed.
- Participates in developing, standardizing and costing of recipes by ensuring portion control.
- Forecasts food production requirements on a daily basis and plans for effective utilization of food and leftovers.
- Ensures that menu changes are approved by the Program Manager.
- Presents appetizing and appealing meals to the resident and ensuring that the appropriate temperature of the food is documented and maintained.
- Ensures that food service attendants and support staff demonstrate sanitation, safety and infection control procedures.
- Supervises and trains staff involved with food preparation and proper use of equipment.
- Replaces any food services attendants for call-in.
- Attends staff meetings.
- Prepares, receives and stores food purchases and supply orders.
- Responsible for cleaning, maintenance and safety of all kitchen equipment.
- Monitors risks such as correct food temperatures, fridge and freezer temperatures, dish and pot washing temperatures.
- Monitors food quality, quantity, appearance and portion size.
- Provides general supervision of the food service operation and food service attendants.
- Performs all other duties as assigned or delegated by the Program Manager.
- Maintains effective communication, both written and verbal with co-workers. Uses appropriate lines of communication with management staff.
- Complies with all corporate policies and procedures.
- Completes all required mandatory training/education.
- Complies with the Occupational Health and Safety Act, Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, Workplace Hazardous Material Information System, Food Premises regulations and RHRA dietary standards. This includes recognizing health and safety hazards, reporting incidents, fulfilling responsibilities under the applicable legislation, as well as participating in in-services and fire drills.
- Other duties as assigned.

**Qualifications and Education Requirements**:

- **Required Education**:Minimum of grade 12 education. Culinary diploma or certificate granted by a college established under the Ontario Colleges of Applied Arts and Technology Act, 2002 or the equivalent. **Preferred Education**: Red Seal Designation
- Minimum 2 years experience in large quantity menu planning and cooking and food preparation at a Cook I or Cook II level.
- Safe Food Handler’s certificate.
- Must be able to communicate effectively, both written and verbally, in the English language.
- Must be familiar with computerized on-line ordering systems and dietary software.
- **Drivers License
- level G**:

- **First Aid Level C**:

- **Criminal Record Check with VSS (Letter provided by Blossom Group)**:

- **Health Assessment (form provided by Blossom Group)**

**Required Skills and Abilities**:

- Ability to lift and carry up to 50lbs in accordance with general safety practices
- Ability to stand for long periods of time
- Demonstrate the ability to independent and in a team environment
- Ability to multitask and set priorities
- High energy and highly motivated, able to take initiative with creativity and flexibility
- Must be able to work all shifts, including day, afternoon, evening, weekend and holiday shifts working 44 hours per week
- The ability to perform the physical aspects of the position, and to maintain good attendance
- Demonstrate adaptability
- Demonstrate reliability
- Demonstrated stress tolerance

**This position has a base rate of $22.00 - $24.40 per hour, with an additional $3 wage enhancement per hour, paid by the government, as reflected in the wage posted.**