Sous Chef

Charles MacPherson Associates•Toronto, ON

16d•Hybrid

About The Position

We are seeking an accomplished Sous Chef to help lead the culinary vision within a residential team supporting a portfolio of luxury private residences. This role blends hands-on culinary excellence with strategic leadership, overseeing a small team of chefs while delivering refined, highly personalized dining experiences for the Principal, family members, and guests. The Executive Chef will establish culinary vision and standards, mentor the culinary team, and ensure consistency of execution across properties while remaining actively engaged in menu development, special events, and high-touch service moments. Based primarily in Toronto, Ontario, with travel to additional residences as required, this role is ideal for a chef who thrives in intimate, high-expectation environments and values discretion, creativity, and continuous improvement. Success in this role requires a balance of culinary mastery, emotional intelligence, operational discipline, thoughtful leadership and supporting the interrelationship between diet, health and nutrition. The Sous Chef will collaborate closely with the Executive chef, Principal, family office, estate leadership, and event teams to ensure culinary programming reflects evolving preferences, lifestyle needs, and hospitality standards within a five-star private environment. This is a full-time leadership role requiring flexibility, travel, and availability for evenings, weekends, holidays, and special events.

Requirements

Proven progressive culinary experience, including formal training and tenure at fine-dining establishments
Demonstrated experience in a private household, estate, or UHNW environment with direct management of culinary staff across multiple locations
Proven ability to execute across a wide range of dining contexts, from family meals and informal entertaining to formal business dinners and large-scale private events
Experience working with and managing external catering vendors and event hospitality teams
A well-rounded and diverse culinary repertoire spanning multiple cuisines, dietary philosophies, and service formats
Deep expertise in wine, spirits, and beverage programs, including pairing, cellar management, and business entertaining contexts
Proven leadership ability – a calm, confident, and inspiring presence while maintaining consistent, high standards across geographically dispersed locations
Strong financial acumen; experience managing culinary budgets, vendor contracts, and multi- property procurement at a high level
Exceptional organizational and time management skills with the ability to manage competing priorities across multiple locations
Sophisticated interpersonal skills and professional polish suited to engagement with executives, high-profile guests, and business associates
Tech-savvy; comfortable with mobile platforms, inventory management tools, and smart-home interfaces
Absolute discretion and professionalism; understand and deeply respects the unique responsibilities of working within a private home used for both personal and professional purposes
Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and holidays; willingness and ability to travel domestically and internationally, both between properties and with the Principal as required
Valid driver’s license and clean driving record
Legal authorization to work within country of employment
Ability to successfully complete a comprehensive background investigation

Responsibilities

Maintain strict confidentiality regarding employer, family members, guests, operations and assets
Respect employer, Principal, family and guest privacy at all times, both on and off properties
Provide exemplary service and exercise good judgment while conducting business in a professional and courteous manner
Demonstrate flexibility and a hands-on approach; step in operationally as needed to ensure seamless culinary and guest service across all properties
Triage issues and service requests in real time while remaining composed and solution-oriented
Collaborate closely with the family office, estate teams and external providers regarding logistics, protocols, and operational requirements
Ensure compliance with all applicable regulations, municipal bylaws, food safety standards, and any relevant requirements
Uphold the highest standards of professionalism, decorum, and etiquette at all times
Assist, mentor, and develop a team of Private Chefs across multiple residences, fostering a collaborative, service-driven culture
Establish culinary standards with the Executive Chef, systems and expectations to ensure consistency and excellence across all properties
Provide coaching, performance feedback, and hands-on training to support skill development and growth
Coordinate scheduling and coverage across all properties and travel requirements ensuring seamless continuity of service regardless of Principal’s location or itinerary
Foster a collaborative, respectful, and high-performing kitchen culture aligned with the family’s values and service standards
Support hiring, onboarding, scheduling, and workforce planning for culinary roles
Act as the primary escalation point for culinary operations and service matters
Build and maintain strong professional relationships with residential and family office teams, encouraging open dialogue and engagement
Provide functional leadership and culinary direction to culinary team while collaborating with estate leadership on day-to-day operational oversight
Develop and steward the culinary vision, including the design and execution of seasonal menus, culinary programming, and special dining experiences across residences
Prepare and oversee daily meals, snacks, and special dining experiences for the Principal, family members, and guests to an uncompromising standard
Lead the planning and execution of private events ranging from intimate dinners to large-scale gatherings, working closely with internal and external teams
Design and execute menus for business meetings, gatherings, and other professional entertaining activities hosted within the Principal’s residences or affiliated properties
Maintain an evolving household recipe archive and detailed menu history, ensuring consistency and continuity across the team and between properties
Stay current with culinary trends, techniques, and ingredients, regularly introducing thoughtful innovation to dining experiences and culinary operations
Support off-site culinary needs including private aviation, marine, and travel meal preparation for the Principal and guests
Identify, vet and manage relationships with catering companies, private chefs, and hospitality vendors for large-scale or complex events
Serve as the culinary lead when working alongside external teams, ensuring Principal, family and guest standards, preferences, and confidentiality are maintained throughout
Negotiate vendor contracts and oversee culinary elements of event production in coordination with internal and external teams
Build and maintain a trusted network of specialty food purveyors, sommeliers and hospitality professionals, both locally and for key travel destinations
Establish beverage standards and documentation to ensure consistency across properties
Oversee the wine and beverage program across all properties, including cellar organization, inventory management, procurement, and pairing recommendations
Develop thoughtful beverage programs suited to varying contexts
Collaborate with external sommeliers or consultants as needed for special occasions, products or large events
Oversee all food procurement across properties, building and maintaining relationships with local and specialty providers
Oversee kitchen inventory across all locations, ensuring spaces are impeccably stocked, organized, and maintained to the highest standards of cleanliness and functionality
Develop and manage culinary budgets across all relevant properties; track food and beverage spending and ensure appropriate collaboration and compliance with office teams
Ensure all culinary equipment is properly operated, maintained, and serviced; liaise with vendors accordingly for repairs and upgrades
Implement and uphold rigorous food safety, allergen management, and sanitation standards at all relevant properties and in all travel contexts
Develop a deep, nuanced understanding of the Principal’s and family’s culinary preferences, dietary and nutritional requirements, cultural influences, and personal rhythms
Anticipate needs proactively, preparing thoughtful options and accommodating last-minute changes with composure and resourcefulness
Deliver hospitality that is warm, consistent, intuitive, and discreet
Engage professionally with guests, demonstrating impeccable etiquette and situational awareness
Maintain appropriate boundaries with the Principal, family, and guests while building a relationship grounded in trust, reliability, and genuine care