Job Description

Company Overview

In 2024, we had a vision for Toronto to house one of the foremost yakitori restaurants in Canada. Since that time, we have been building out our restaurant in Yorkville (at 156 Cumberland Street), and developing the prestigious concept.

Yakitori Yorkville is expected to open in early 2026, and will offer a unique course-style yakitori dining experience, something rarely found in Canada, providing guests with an experience they could typically only have abroad. We will also serve often-overlooked cuts that are not commonly available in Canada, which encourages a reduction in food waste, and promotes awareness as demand grows.

The General Manager and Head Chef position is integral to our operations and serves as a critical member of our management team. The chef is responsible not only for the restaurant concept and menu, but also for creating a culturally accurate representation of the Yakitori cuisine experience, through both the food and beverage offerings, as well as the restaurant environment experience and the level of service expected of our staff. All of the above is why it is so critical that Chef be able to continue his/her work to build and create Yakitori Yorkville in Canada.

Specifically, Chef's responsibilities will include, but will not be limited to:

Establish objectives for the restaurant alongside the management team;

Plan and/or approve policies and programs to be implemented at the restaurant;

Allocate materials, as well as human and financial resources to implement organizational policies and programs (e.g., procurement, cost and inventory management, ingredient ordering, and supplier management);

Approve promotional campaigns;

Oversee and approve overall personnel planning, hiring, and policies at the restaurant (including but not limited to managers, chefs, and support staff to ensure quality control of the food);

Represent the business in negotiations or other official functions;

Optimize and document the operating processes for the restaurant and select the suitable enterprise resource planning (ERP) system for expansion;

Oversee overall profitability of the restaurant and identify areas for improvement;

Advise on consumer tastes, menu design, and pricing;

Prepare food and demonstrate Japanese cuisine cooking techniques and specialty skills to chefs and team members;

Train chefs and team members in Japanese cuisine cooking techniques and specialty skills;

Advise chefs and team members on specialty service techniques; and

Perform other services as required by the Company from time to time.

This position requires:

A renowned chef with prestigious experience with the ability to become the face of the restaurant as required (including branding, marketing, and promotional dealings);

Significant experience in traditional yakitori preparation;

The proven ability to pair and prepare alcohol with Yakitori offerings;

Several years of Japanese restaurant kitchen management experience, including managing personnel and operating expenses;

The ability to spot and resolve problems efficiently;

Capable of delegating multiple tasks;

Communication and leadership skills, working with internal and external teams, as well as the public;

Up-to-date on industry trends and best practices applicable to the restaurant; and

Completion of secondary school required.

Education Requirement:

Completion of secondary school required

Experience Requirement:

A renowned chef with prestigious credentials (e.g. awards, accolades, Michelin rated etc.) with the ability to become the face of the restaurants as required (including branding, marketing, and promotional dealings);

5+ years experience in a management level capacity;

The proven ability to pair and prepare alcohol with Yakitori dinner offerings;

Several years of Japanese restaurant kitchen management experience, including managing personnel and operating expenses;

The ability to spot and resolve problems efficiently;

Capable of delegating multiple tasks;

Communication and leadership skills, working with internal and external teams, as well as the public;

Up-to-date on industry trends and best practices applicable to the restaurant

Language:

English is required

Japanese proficiency is beneficial

Contact Information:

If interested in the position, please send your resume and cover letter to Miyuki Nagasawa, at: miyuki@masakisaito.ca.

Please note that only qualified candidates will be contacted.

If you are ready to take your career to the next level in the vibrant world of hospitality, we invite you to apply now and join our team at Yakitori Yorkville!

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: $36.00-$48.08 per hour

Additional pay:

Tips
Benefits:

Company car Dental care Disability insurance Discounted or free food Employee assistance program Extended health care Housing allowance Life insurance Vision care
Flexible language requirement:

French not required
Language:

Japanese (preferred)
Work Location: In person