Sous Chef Full Time

The Acorn is an award-winning, Michelin Recommended, owner-operated, vegetable-forward restaurant on Main Street in Vancouver. We work with unique seasonal ingredients sourced 100% locally, building our menu around what is available from BC farms, foragers, and producers. Our kitchen is rooted in scratch cooking, creativity, careful technique, and zero-waste practices that challenge us to make the most of every ingredient.

We are seeking a talented and motivated Sous chef to join our tight-knit kitchen team. This is a hands-on, collaborative role in a fast-paced, creative environment focused on vegetable-forward cuisine and sustainability.
We’re looking for someone who is passionate about cooking, calm under pressure, and excited to work closely with the Chef to support a small, focused kitchen team.

The Sous Chef works closely with the Chef on all aspects of the kitchen, including daily prep, service, ordering, menu execution, staff training, and overall organization. This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who takes pride in both the food and the people making it.

Responsibilities:

• Leading prep and service with consistency, focus, and professionalism

• Working closely with the Chef on daily operations and menu execution

• Supporting creative, seasonal menu development rooted in 100% local sourcing

• Maintaining high standards of scratch cooking, organization, cleanliness, and food quality

• Bringing creativity, strong technique, and curiosity to working with seasonal ingredients

• Helping train, mentor, and support kitchen staff

• Assisting with ordering, inventory, waste tracking, and prep planning

• Supporting zero-waste practices and thoughtful use of ingredients throughout the kitchen

• Supporting off-site catering, fundraising events, special events, and chef collaborations, both at The Acorn and in the community

• Contributing to a kitchen culture that is respectful, supportive, collaborative, creative, and efficient

Qualifications:

• Minimum 5 years of professional kitchen experience, ideally with 2+ years in a leadership role

• Strong technical skills, a refined palate, and close attention to detail

• Passion for plant-based cuisine, zero waste practices and sustainable food systems

• Organized, reliable, and able to communicate clearly

• Availability to work evenings and weekends as part of a dedicated team

What We Offer:

• Competitive pay with gratuities

• Full medical benefits

• Staff yoga pass and access to free professional counselling

• A 4-day work week to support work-life balance

• A supportive, inclusive environment with room for creative input

• The opportunity to grow within a Michelin-recommended, sustainability-focused restaurant

Please send your resume and a brief cover letter to apply!

E-mail your cover letter and CV in confidene. Only those short-listed will be contacted.