Executive Chef – High-End Catering, Retail Café & Meal Programs

Dexterra•Colwood, BC

77d•CA$30 - CA$35

About The Position

We are seeking an experienced Executive Chef to lead all culinary operations across a diverse food service portfolio, including high-end catering, retail café operations, mandatory meal plans, and client-based food programs. This role is responsible for delivering exceptional food quality, strong financial performance, and outstanding customer satisfaction across all service areas. The Executive Chef will act as both a culinary leader and client-facing representative, ensuring consistency, innovation, and operational excellence across all outlets.

Requirements

7–10+ years culinary experience, including senior leadership roles
Proven experience in catering, high-volume production, and retail food operations
Strong background in client-facing culinary environments
Excellent leadership, communication, and organizational skills
Solid understanding of food cost control and financial management
Culinary diploma or equivalent professional experience preferred
Food Safe certification required

Nice To Haves

Strong client relationship management
High attention to quality and detail
Ability to manage multiple food service streams simultaneously
Strong problem-solving under pressure
Focus on customer satisfaction and service excellence

Responsibilities

Oversee all kitchen operations across catering, retail café, and meal plan production
Develop and execute high-end catering menus tailored to client expectations and budgets
Ensure consistent food quality, presentation, and portion standards across all service lines
Drive culinary innovation while maintaining operational efficiency and cost control
Lead planning and execution of premium catering events (corporate, institutional, private)
Manage event production from menu design through on-site execution
Coordinate logistics, staffing, and timelines for seamless service delivery
Ensure client expectations are met or exceeded at all events
Oversee daily café food production, menu offerings, and service standards
Ensure fast, consistent, and high-quality food service in a retail environment
Monitor sales performance, food cost, and product mix optimization
Implement seasonal and promotional menu items to drive revenue
Manage large-scale meal production for meal plan or institutional dining programs
Ensure nutritional balance, consistency, and volume production efficiency
Control food cost while maintaining quality standards for high-volume service
Collaborate with operations to ensure timely and accurate meal delivery
Act as a key culinary contact for clients and institutional partners
Maintain strong relationships through regular communication and responsiveness
Address feedback and resolve concerns promptly and professionally
Ensure high levels of customer satisfaction across all service channels
Manage food costs, labor efficiency, and inventory control across all units
Work within approved budgets while maximizing quality and output
Reduce waste and improve production efficiency across operations
Support revenue growth through menu engineering and pricing strategies
Lead, train, and develop kitchen teams across multiple service areas
Build a strong culture of accountability, professionalism, and excellence
Schedule and manage staff based on operational needs and event demand
Conduct performance evaluations and ongoing coaching
Ensure compliance with all food safety and sanitation regulations
Maintain clean, organized, and audit-ready kitchen environments
Enforce safe food handling and workplace safety standards