Borealis Grille jobs in Guelph, ON

Chef de Cuisine

The Neighbourhood Group of Companies

Guelph, ON | Full-Time | $60,000–$70,000 + Bonus

About Us

The Neighbourhood Group of Companies is a collection of independent restaurants rooted in community, sustainability, and hospitality. Our restaurants include Borealis Grille & Bar (Guelph and Kitchener), Miijidaa Café + Bistro, The Wooly Pub, and Park Eatery.

For over three decades, our mission has been simple: serve great food, support our communities, and build a workplace where people can grow meaningful careers in hospitality.

We are proud to be a Certified B Corporation and a Feast On® partner, with more than 80% of our food and beverage purchases sourced from Ontario producers. Sustainability, local partnerships, and community engagement are central to everything we do.

We believe great restaurants are built by great people. If you care about food, leadership, and genuine hospitality — we would love to meet you.

About the Role

We are looking for an experienced Chef de Cuisine to lead a culinary team in Guelph. This is a real leadership role with real ownership — you will set the standard in the kitchen, develop the people around you, and be a driving force behind the quality and culture of the operation.

You will work closely with the Leadership Team to deliver consistent, high-quality food built on locally sourced ingredients, and a kitchen environment grounded in professionalism and mutual respect.

The Kind of Chef We’re Looking For

This role is a strong fit if you…

• Take pride in running a tight, consistent kitchen — not just on the nights you’re on the line
• Believe developing your team is as important as developing the menu
• Know your food costs the way you know your recipes
• Have worked in high-volume restaurants and didn’t just survive it — you thrived in it
• Want to be part of something with roots, not just a paycheque
• Are genuinely excited about cooking with Ontario ingredients and building seasonal menus

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and support the kitchen team to deliver consistent, high-quality food across all service periods
• Manage daily kitchen operations including prep, service, and closing procedures
• Drive menu development and seasonal feature planning
• Oversee ordering, inventory management, and supplier relationships
• Maintain food cost targets and manage kitchen labour effectively
• Train, mentor, and develop kitchen team members at every level
• Ensure full compliance with food safety and health regulations
• Collaborate with front-of-house leadership to deliver exceptional guest experiences

About You

• 3–5 years of progressive culinary leadership experience, including time as a Head Chef, Chef de Cuisine, or senior Sous Chef
• Proven track record in a high-volume, full-service restaurant environment
• Strong leadership presence with real experience building and retaining kitchen teams
• Solid financial acumen — food costing, ordering, and inventory are second nature
• Excellent organizational and communication skills
• Passion for fresh, high-quality, locally sourced ingredients
• Food Handler Certification required

Compensation — What to Expect

We believe in being straightforward about pay. Here is the full picture:

Base Salary $60,000–$65,000 annually, based on experience.

Team Share ~Team Share paid bi-weekly — gratuities are funded directly by guests and distributed to eligible kitchen team members (amounts vary based on sales and seasonality) and average approximately $250 per week

Quarterly Performance Bonus Up to $4,000 per year, paid quarterly.

Monthly Expense Allowance $250 per month.

Health Benefits Enrolled on Day 1.

Comprehensive health coverage including vision care. No waiting period.

Employee Assistance Program Available from Day 1.

Confidential support services for personal and professional well-being.

Employee Relief Fund

Access to internal support programs designed to help team members navigate unexpected life challenges.

Team Dining Perks

Staff dining discounts across all Neighbourhood Group restaurants.

Our Values

• Hospitality
• Community
• Sustainability
• Integrity
• Teamwork

Diversity & Inclusion

The Neighbourhood Group of Companies is committed to building an inclusive and respectful workplace. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and experiences and are committed to equitable hiring practices. Accommodations are available upon request throughout the recruitment process.

Pay: $69,000.00-$80,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Commuter benefits
• Dental care
• Discounted or free food
• Employee assistance program
• Extended health care
• Flexible schedule
• Paid time off
• Store discount
• Vision care
• Wellness program

Application question(s):

• Are you available to work evenings, weekends and holidays?

Experience:

• Leadership: 3 years (required)

Work Location: In person