Chef Jobs Vancouver Canada | Line Cooks | Cooks for Hire

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Staffing the hospitality industry

SUPPLYING GREAT KITCHEN STAFF SINCE 2007

For those operating and managing fast-paced environments of the hospitality industry, managing staff is perhaps the most challenging issue and one faced every day. A chef gets sick or injured, or you have a seasonal increase in volume and your kitchen is suddenly in an emergency situation. You need to provide the consistent quality of food and service your customers have come to expect. Cooks for Hire was created with just that need in mind. You get access, even on short notice to proven, high-quality staff that have already been evaluated. You don’t need to worry about payroll, certification, or other typical HR issues.

We look after it all for you.

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Your kitchen staff partner

KEEPING YOU OPERATING SMOOTHLY

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Effortless Efficiency

No more hassle trying to find a new staff member, replacement staff or temporary fill-in. Just let us know what kind of position you need filled.

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Expert Staff

Cooks for Hire goes through a comprehensive evaluation process and requests a review of every placement to ensure you get quality people.

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Wide Variety

Whether you need Private Chefs, Sous-Chefs, Demi Chefs, Kitchen Helpers, Pastry Cooks or Dishwashers, we're here to help.

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Career Opportunities

For those who work with Cooks for Hire, opportunities abound to build your career including the potential for permanent full-time placement.

Find your perfect staff

Tired of hassling with payroll problems, staff turnover and other challenges of maintaining your own kitchen staff? Let Cooks for Hire take those issues off your hands. Get in touch today for more information.

Get Started
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Meet the Team

Heather Loke

Director of Operations

Heather Loke
A.O.S. Degree / Culinary Arts
The Culinary Institute of America, NY
Director of Operations

Although cooking was a notable hobby throughout high school, it was not the first choice for Heather Loke when deciding upon her career. She was accepted into the University of British Columbia on a full scholarship, but after three years of a Biochemistry degree, Ms. Loke decided to change directions. It was during Biochem lab that Ms. Loke discovered the striking similarities between following lab procedures vs. recipes at home. In both instances, you begin with your reactants that get mixed together and heated in a certain order to cause molecular changes, thus forming new products. The major difference was that in cooking, the products were more appealing in terms of taste, aroma and visual stimulation. After coming to this realization, Ms. Loke left her current field to travel to New York to attend the prestigious ‘Culinary Institute of America’. She completed an AOS Degree in Culinary Arts in 1999 and obtained her Red Seal Trade Certification in Canada in 2003. From stages in New York, to training at the prestigious Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills and back home to the Four Seasons Hotel in Vancouver, Ms. Loke has acquired her extensive cooking and managerial experience from these well-regarded establishments.

With the growth and recognition of the beautiful Northwest and Pacific gateway to trade, Vancouver has grown from a Small Town community to a multicultural metropolis. With this growth came the need to provide our industry with reliable, thoroughly vetted staff that could fill in during emergency staffing shortages. Cooks for Hire was created to fill the void in the industry for such a need.

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Kate Chien

Accounting Assistant

Kate Chien
Diploma / Computer Programming
Georgian College, Barrie ON
Accounting Assistant

Meet Kate, a tech-savvy and highly analytical individual with a background in computer programming and mathematics. After graduating from Tung-Hai University in Taiwan with a major in mathematics, Kate made a career switch to computer programming. She has accomplished much in her career both in the private and public sectors, contributing her expertise and positive spirit.

As a member of the CFH team, Kate has a keen eye for details and is meticulous in all the administrative tasks. She is a self starter and assists in back end functions, as well App development, testing and management. Kate has numerously rescued our team and is a valuable asset for Cooks for Hire Operations.

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Sandy Yueh

Executive Assistant

Sandy Yueh
Executive Assistant

Sandy, a seasoned restaurant professional with over 12 years of experience in the industry. With a proven track record of managing teams, overseeing daily operations, and training new hires, Sandy is a valuable asset to our team. She has been highly valued for her positive attitude and her contribution to the team. Sandy demonstrates her versatility and adaptability by taking on various responsibilities and working effectively with a diverse team.

Sandy is an integral part of CFH operations and is responsible for a range of administrative tasks including HR, payroll and scheduling. She brings a strong work ethic, professionalism, and team-oriented approach to everything she does, and her friendly personality makes her a pleasure to work with. Whether it's assessing candidates, contacting references, or handling data entry, Sandy is always ready to help and lead by example.

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William Li

Operations

William Li
Operations

Hello there! My name is William Li, and I have been deeply immersed in the world of culinary arts for over six flavorful years. Cooking isn't just a profession for me; it's a passion that fuels my creativity and allows me to craft experiences through food.

Throughout my culinary journey, I've had the pleasure of exploring diverse cuisines, honing my skills in various kitchen environments, and delighting palates with carefully crafted dishes. Whether it's the precision of French cuisine, the boldness of Asian flavors, or the comforting familiarity of home-cooked meals, I thrive on the endless possibilities that cooking offers.

Beyond the kitchen, I've also ventured into the realm of human resources, bringing my culinary expertise to a new context as an HR professional for a staffing agency. In this role, I've gained valuable insights into talent management, employee development, and fostering a positive work culture.

Combining my culinary background with my HR experience, I approach challenges with a unique perspective, understanding the importance of teamwork, communication, and continuous growth in both the kitchen and the workplace.

Outside of work, you can often find me experimenting with new recipes, exploring local markets for fresh ingredients, or simply enjoying a good meal with friends and family. I believe that food has the power to connect us, inspire us, and bring joy to our lives, and I'm grateful to be able to share that passion with others every day.

Thank you for taking the time to learn a bit about me. I'm excited about the opportunities ahead and the possibility of collaborating with like-minded individuals who share a love for food, community, and the pursuit of excellence.

With expertise in front-end development, user-facing features, and online tools, our webmaster is poised to take CFH company's online presence to the next level.

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Kevin Kim

Web Master

Kevin Kim
University of Washington, Seattle WA
Web Specialist

Meet our experienced webmaster, a talented and versatile professional with a strong background in various industries including food and beverage, healthcare, and technology. With a diploma in Web Development from BrainStation and a Bachelor's degree in Biochemistry from the University of Washington, our webmaster brings a unique blend of technical and interpersonal skills to the table.

With expertise in front-end development, user-facing features, and online tools, our webmaster is poised to take CFH company's online presence to the next level.

Testimonials

WHAT CUSTOMERS ARE SAYING

Cooks for Hire has provided us with experienced chefs for our at-home private dinners. They were professional in every way. The preparation went smoothly and the final product was beyond delicious. I would not hesitate to recommend them.  

Dotty and Bud

Cooks for Hire has been and will continue to be, an essential service for us. Heather has always been willing to work with us and follow up to make sure our needs are met. CFH team members always come with professional attitudes and work ethics, a pleasure to have in our kitchen. CFH is quick to respond and assist with last-minute changes and pertinent information.  

Sean

Cooks for Hire is amazing! Heather is wonderful to work with and the team of cooks are all professional and hard-working individuals. We highly recommend Cooks for Hire.  

Cindy

I wanted to thank you for the wonderful service you have always provided us. After so many years of calling on you for special events, client events and big family get-togethers, the food and the service is always impeccable. From prep to table to clean-up the process is flawless; I never worry.  And the final statement, the absolutely  scrumptious food! Beautifully presented, a feast for the palette and for the eyes. Thanks you for always being there for us.  

Keith

We have used Cooks For Hire since September, 2015. Each and every time, this team has provided us with quality staff who are professional, courteous and reliable. Their skill level varies from dishwasher/kitchen helpers to Certified Chef de Cuisines. I would strongly recommend Cooks For Hire to anyone in the food service industry.

Harley, Food Service Provider to Independent Schools & Colleges

Each of your cooks has successfully integrated into our Food and Beverage team to provide short-term, quality support to our operations. Cooks for Hire understands our organizational needs and provides us with staff who are aligned with our values, have flexible skills sets and show the highest level of professionalism and positivity. We look forward to continuing our partnership with this outstanding team.

PARC Retirement Living

I have been using Cooks For Hire for several years now and could not imagine our business without the hard work and dedication I get from all of their staff. Our business fluctuates frequently and Cooks For Hire really does a great job in providing the support we need. I personally believe that CFH provides an essential service to the industry. Thank you for this much needed service.

John, Executive Chef

With Cooks for Hire, you’re just a quick phone call away from long and short-term staffing solutions for reasons such as sick leave, leaves of absence, vacation, maternity & paternity, long and short-term disability or seasonal demands.

Our assessment process means the employees you receive are competent and ready to go, typically with considerable experience already gained in the industry. Plus, your new staff are insured and registered with WorkSafe BC and have FoodSafe™certification (if applicable to their position).

Fill out our convenient online feedback form and we’ll contact you as quickly as possible to get you on your way.

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Partners

Our company name, 愛&思いやり (pronounced Ai & Omoiyari) which, loosely translated, means “love” and “empathetic consideration”, represents our philosophy. Located in the heart of Vancouver, B.C’s Historic Chinatown, we at Ai & Om believe everything should be approached with passion, knowledge, and care. From the deliberate selection of knives to the way we provide for our customers.

Founded by Douglas Chang, in partnership with Tosho Knife Arts, we aim to provide quality edged instruments to professionals and amateurs alike. Douglas has had years of experience supplying the cooks in the top kitchens of Vancouver
with knives and stones and sharing his knowledge of how to sharpen and care for them. Now we widen the scope to bring that knowledge and experience to the non-professional.