Role type: Hourly
Location: Lake Country, BC
Reports to: Estate Chef
Compensation: $30-$35 per hour plus participation in tip pool
The Opportunity
We are seeking Chef de Cuisine to lead the operations of the Row 188 kitchen. You own the day-to-day execution of the culinary program — from mise en place to final plate — and work in close partnership with Estate Chef to develop the menu, build the team, and uphold the standard. When the Estate Chef steps back, you step forward.
This is a role for a chef who is done proving themselves in someone else’s kitchen and is ready to lead one of their own. The estate is growing rapidly, the restaurant is expanding its calendar, and there is real upward trajectory here for the right person.
Row 188 is the signature fine-dining restaurant of O’Rourke Family Estate — a Michelin-level destination built around one of the most dramatic settings in Canadian wine country. Floor-to-ceiling views of Okanagan Lake and the surrounding vineyard frame a culinary program rooted in the land itself: estate-grown produce from two greenhouses, three gardens, and an orchard feed the kitchen daily, while the wine list draws from barrels aging in the granite caves below the restaurant.
Row 188 operates Friday and Saturday evenings, with seasonal expansion through the summer. The menu offers a three-course and a five-course experience, with optional estate wine pairing. The 34-seat Chef’s Dining Room hosts private dining, cooking classes, and immersive culinary experiences where guests work alongside the kitchen team.
The vision is clear: Row 188 will hold Michelin recognition. The Chef de Cuisine is central to making that happen.
About O'Rourke Family Vineyards
O'Rourke Family Vineyards is a family-owned wine and hospitality group rooted in the Okanagan, bringing together premium vineyards, thoughtful wine production, and elevated guest experiences. With two distinct destination properties, the company spans both approachable and luxury expressions of wine tourism.
O’Rourke Family Estate is one of the most ambitious Winery builds in Canadian history — a granite-carved estate on the shores of Okanagan Lake with a culinary operation that spans multiple outlets and formats. Row 188 is the estate’s signature fine-dining restaurant with Michelin recognition in its sights. The Granite Café and Packing House Patio serve accommodation guests and visitors through the day. A full events calendar covers winemaker dinners, private dining, weddings, and large-scale concerts in a 1,200-seat outdoor amphitheatre. Two greenhouses, three gardens, and a working orchard supply every kitchen on the property.
Peak Cellars is a welcoming winery focused on expressive wines and warm hospitality, complemented by the Garden Bistro, where seasonal cuisine and vineyard surroundings create an inviting setting for guests.
Across the portfolio, O'Rourke Family Vineyards is deeply involved in every stage of the process — from vineyard stewardship and farming decisions through to winemaking, blending, and bottling. The company also produces a diverse calendar of events and experiences that bring together wine, food, and community, supported by close collaboration across hospitality, culinary, production, and events teams.
What You'll Do
Kitchen Leadership & Execution
· Lead all kitchen operations during service — expediting, coaching, and maintaining pace and quality from first seating to close
· Own the consistency and precision of every dish leaving the pass
· Manage prep standards and mise en place across all stations
· Ensure compliance with food safety, HACCP, and health regulations at all times
Menu & Culinary Development
· Collaborate with the Estate Chef on seasonal menu development, course sequencing, and wine pairing integration
· Work directly with the estate’s gardens and greenhouse team to understand what is available, what is coming in, and how to build menus around it
· Lead the development of the Chef’s Dining Room experience — cooking classes, tasting events, and interactive guest programming
· Contribute creative direction on special events, private dining, and winemaker dinners
Team Development
· Hire, train, and develop kitchen staff at all levels — from line cooks to chefs de partie
· Build a kitchen culture grounded in craft, discipline, and mutual respect
· Lead daily pre-shift communication and ensure the team understands the menu, the sourcing, and the guest experience standard
· Cross-train and cross-deploy team members in coordination with estate operations as needed
Operations & Financial Management
· Own food cost, labour efficiency, and waste reduction within the kitchen
· Manage ordering, inventory, and supplier relationships — with priority given to estate-grown and local Okanagan producers
· Contribute to menu costing and ensure margin targets are met without compromising quality
· Assist in scheduling and shift planning across seasons
What You Bring
Experience & Credentials
· Minimum 3–5 years in a senior kitchen leadership role (Chef de Cuisine, Sous Chef, or equivalent) in a fine-dining or destination dining environment
· Proven ability to run a kitchen independently at service — not just cook well, but lead a brigade
· Experience with tasting menu formats and multi-course plating standards
· Culinary education an asset; exceptional practical experience equally considered
· Exposure to estate or farm-to-table cooking is a genuine advantage
Skills & Character
· Technically precise and creatively engaged — you care about both the craft and the ideas behind it
· Strong communicator with the ability to lead a team calmly and decisively under pressure
· Financially literate — comfortable with food cost, scheduling, and operational numbers
· A collaborator who earns trust at every level of the kitchen and the broader estate team
· Genuinely interested in the Okanagan region — its seasons, its producers, its wine
Additional Benefits
- A rare opportunity to build a program with genuine national recognition in its sights
- A fully resourced estate kitchen backed by two greenhouses, three gardens, and a working orchard
- Strong culinary leadership and mentorship from the Estate Chef
- A team that is serious about the work and values the people doing it
- Clear growth path as the estate expands its culinary calendar, accommodations, and dining formats
- Competitive compensation, benefits, and housing support available
- Year-round employment in one of Canada’s most celebrated wine regions
- Employee Estate Wine & Hospitality Discounts
How to Apply
We'd love to hear from you. Please send your resume and a brief note on what draws you to Row 188 and any relevant portfolio or references to [email protected].
O'Rourke Family Vineyards adheres to employment equity and equal opportunity programs and encourages all candidates to apply. We would like to thank all applicants for submitting their resume; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
Pay: $30.00-$35.00 per hour
Work Location: In person
