PORTICO INC.

Seeking an experienced Private Chef to work for a family of five in the Avenue Road and Lawrence area of Toronto. There are three teenaged boys (ages 15, 16, and 18) who are high-performance athletes, so experience cooking healthy protein-based meals and snacks is critical to the position. The Private Chef will be responsible for lunch, dinner, refrigerated grab-and-go snacks, as well as items for the refrigerator or freezer for the Chef’s days off. The Chef will be working with a housekeeper, but the Chef will be responsible for cleaning, organizing, and maintaining the kitchen, including all the appliances. There are no food allergies or intolerances. There is occasional travel to the family cottage.

The Private Chef must have a G-level license and access to a vehicle for work purposes (mileage paid).

This is a non-smoking and non-vaping residence.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Meal preparation of lunch and dinner

• Preparing healthy, protein-based grab-and-go foods

• Preparing food for the fridge and / or freezer for the chef’s days off

• Setting the dining table if the family will be eating together

• Post meal clean up

• Menu planning for review and approval

• Creating grocery lists that include food items, and household items like cleaning products and toiletries. Ask the housekeeper what is needed in terms of cleaning products and toiletries.

• Daily cleaning and regular deep cleaning of the open concept kitchen

• Cleaning of appliances

• Thoroughly clean the fridge weekly.

• Empty and reload the dishwasher as needed, ensuring dishes, cookware, utensils, and kitchen equipment are cleaned, properly stored, and readily available.

• Organization of cupboards, drawers, and pantry

• Demonstrate exceptional food safety practices, including preventing cross-contamination when handling raw meat, poultry, fish, seafood, and eggs, and ensuring all food preparation surfaces, utensils, equipment, and the kitchen are thoroughly cleaned and sanitized after use.

• Cooking Shabbat Dinner

• Cooking for High Holidays

• Occasional travel to the cottage

• Cooking for occasional dinner parties

• Empty kitchen garbage, recycling, and compost daily, cleaning kitchen disposal bins as needed and ensuring waste is disposed of appropriately each evening.

• Answer the telephone and take accurate messages

• Answer the door in a secure manner and receive any parcels and leave them in a designated area

• Other related and non-related duties, as needed

SKILLS AND APTITUDES:

• Experience as a Private Chef, Personal Chef, and / or Catering Chef

• Culinary certificate

• Good understanding of cooking for high performance teenagers—high protein cooking

• G-level driver’s license with a clean driver’s abstract

• Someone who is comfortable being self-directed or receiving direction

• A no ego approach to their work

• Experience cooking Shabbat Dinner is an asset, but not a dealbreaker

• Proactive work ethic

• Excellent planning, time management, and organizational skills

• Calm, flexible, and adaptable to the changing needs of a busy household

• Prepared to ask questions if unsure of something

• Professional, discreet, trustworthy, and respectful of the family’s privacy

• A kind, positive, friendly, but not intrusive personality

• Excellent communication skills and a collaborative approach to working with other household staff

• Punctual and reliable

• Willing to agree to a background check

• Willing to sign a confidentiality agreement

• The candidate must hold status to legally work in Canada.

• A kind, positive, friendly, but not intrusive personality

• Willing to agree to a background and reference check

• Must be willing to sign a confidentiality agreement

• This is a non-smoking and fragrance free household

• The candidate must hold status to legally work in Canada. Sponsorship is not being considered.

Location: Avenue Road and Lawrence area of Toronto

Schedule: Monday to Friday, 10:30am to 6:30pm with flexibility

Vacation: Two Weeks Paid (to be coordinated with the employer)

PLEASE NOTE: We thank everyone for their application. Unfortunately, only those who qualify for the position may be contacted.