Kaslo Hotel is looking for a Sous Chef to help lead the kitchen at The Waypoint Restaurant & Bar. We are a historic hotel on the shore of Kootenay Lake, surrounded by the Purcell and Selkirk Mountains, with a restaurant built around fresh, seasonal, house-made food and the character of the Kootenays.
This is a hands-on position. You will work closely with the Executive Chef, help guide the kitchen through daily service, support menu development, coach the team, and keep standards steady when the restaurant is busy. We are looking for someone who cooks well, communicates clearly, and brings calm, practical leadership to the line.
As Sous Chef, you will work closely with the Executive Chef and management team to keep the kitchen running smoothly and consistently. You will help oversee daily prep, service execution, quality control, station organization, training, and team accountability.
Most importantly, you will be leading from the line. You will be cooking alongside the team during service, helping control the flow of tickets, supporting stations when needed, maintaining standards, and making sure every plate leaves the kitchen with consistency and care.
What we are looking for
The right candidate has strong cooking fundamentals, solid line experience, and enough leadership maturity to guide a team through busy service. Previous sous chef, junior sous chef, lead cook, or comparable kitchen leadership experience is preferred, but we are also open to a strong cook who is ready for the next step.
You should be organized, steady under pressure, and comfortable giving clear direction. You should understand food cost, portion control, inventory, cleanliness, and safe food handling. You do not need to know everything on day one, but you do need to care about standards, communicate honestly, and be willing to learn the business side of a kitchen.
Key Responsibilities
- Assist in planning and developing menus, including daily specials and regular offerings, with attention to creativity, execution feasibility, and food cost.
- Prepare and cook food to consistently high standards, ensuring presentation and quality meet expectations.
- Supervise kitchen staff during all service periods, ensuring proper technique, timing, and adherence to recipes and safety standards.
- Monitor daily stock levels, organize inventory checks, and place orders in a timely and cost-effective manner.
- Guide, train, and support kitchen staff to build confidence, improve skill, and foster a positive work environment.
- Ensure all food preparation protocols, sanitation, and safety procedures are followed at all times.
- Assist with hiring, onboarding, and training new kitchen team members.
- Support the Executive Chef with administrative tasks, including reporting, scheduling, and food cost analysis.
- Balance labor costs and staffing needs in coordination with kitchen activity and financial goals.
- Take ownership of mistakes; proactively identify and implement solutions to avoid repetition.
- Maintain professionalism and a positive leadership attitude, helping create a respectful and productive kitchen environment.
Qualifications
- Proven ability to multitask effectively in a fast-paced environment.
- Strong organizational and time-management skills.
- Excellent leadership and conflict-resolution abilities.
- Clear and professional communication skills.
- Deep knowledge of cooking methods, kitchen equipment, ingredients, and culinary techniques.
- Ability to coach and train team members with patience and clarity.
- Solid understanding of food cost, portion control, and inventory management.
- Ability to analyze labor costs when planning staff and service requirements.
- Professional demeanor with the ability to separate work and personal life, consistently modeling a positive and constructive attitude.
- Willingness to work flexible hours; salaried position with the expectation of exceeding 40 hours per week as needed to ensure smooth operations.
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: $45,000.00-$55,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Dental care
- Disability insurance
- Discounted or free food
- Extended health care
- Life insurance
- On-site parking
- Paid time off
- Vision care
Ability to commute/relocate:
- Kaslo, BC: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (preferred)
Location:
Work Location: In person
