Job Summary

The Head Chef at Ruby’s is a high-impact leadership role at a prestigious new restaurant in the heart of Ottawa’s ByWard Market. As the “Culinary Visionary,” you will translate the legacy of The Belmont into a fresh, 100-seat concept that blends North American and European influences. This role requires the “wit” to design innovative, seasonal menus and the “grit” to lead a multi-floor kitchen operation through the high-pressure environment of one of Canada’s most iconic tourist and dining districts.

Job Details

Employer: Ruby’s (A new concept from the team behind The Belmont).
Location: ByWard Market, Ottawa, ON (Historic courtyard district).
Salary: $65,000 – $85,000 per year + Quarterly Bonus package.
Capacity: 100 seats across two floors + a 50-seat cobblestone patio.
Cuisine Style: Classic North American and European with modern, inventive touches.

Key Responsibilities: The Culinary Leadership Lifecycle

You are responsible for every plate that leaves the kitchen and the financial health of the back-of-house (BOH).

Menu Innovation: Curate a seasonal menu that balances “familiar comfort” with “modern elegance.” You will focus on unique plating and sustainable, local ingredients.
Operational Systems: Establish and maintain the “Pulse of the Kitchen,” including prep schedules, line execution, and waste management protocols.
Financial Stewardship: Manage food costs (COGS), inventory, and vendor relationships to ensure the restaurant hits its profitability targets.
Team Mentorship: Build a respectful, high-performance culture. You are expected to identify and nurture talent to ensure staff longevity and growth.
Safety & Compliance: Uphold the highest standards of food safety and cleanliness, ensuring 100% compliance with Ottawa Public Health regulations.

Candidate Profile & Qualifications

Experience: 3+ years as a Head Chef in a high-quality, full-service environment.
Culinary Wit: A strong technical grasp of French, Italian, and North American cuisines.
Leadership Grit: Proven ability to lead a dedicated culinary team and collaborate seamlessly with front-of-house (FOH) leadership.
Business Acumen: Solid understanding of food costing, budgeting, and data-driven menu adjustments.
Educational Asset: Formal culinary education is preferred but not mandatory for a chef with significant proven experience.

Technical Insights: The “Ruby’s” Kitchen Philosophy

Operating in a historic courtyard district requires a specific approach to high-volume, high-quality dining.

Seasonality & Sourcing: You will likely work with local producers like those at the ByWard Market or Savvy Company to source Ontario cheeses, meats, and seasonal produce, ensuring the menu reflects the regional “terroir.”
Plating Mechanics: “Fun, unique plating” implies a focus on visual storytelling—using textures, colors, and heights to elevate recognizable comfort foods into “inventive” art.
Kitchen Logistics: Managing a two-floor operation plus a large patio requires exceptional communication systems (KDS or traditional “calling”) to ensure timing remains consistent across all 150 potential guests.

Why Join the Ruby’s Team?

Ruby’s offers a rare opportunity to be a “Founding Chef” for a concept destined to be a cornerstone of Ottawa’s dining scene.

The ByWard Market Pulse: You will be working in a vibrant destination designed to attract both locals and international visitors.
Incentive-Driven Culture: In addition to a competitive base salary, the role includes a Quarterly Bonus package and a self-administered health benefit.
Relocation Support: For chefs looking to move to the capital, a relocation allowance is available, making this an accessible transition for talent from Toronto, Montreal, or abroad.
Professional Growth: As a leadership role in an expanding group, the potential for future multi-unit oversight or partnership is a natural trajectory.

Job Description

Do you believe that a meal should be both a comfort and a discovery? Ruby’s is seeking a Head Chef in Ottawa. We aren’t just looking for a “cook”; we are looking for a culinary leader who has the “grit” to manage a 150-seat rush on a busy Saturday night and the “wit” to reimagine a classic European dish with a modern North American twist. If you want to make your mark on the historic ByWard Market, you belong at Ruby’s.

In this role, you are a “Culture Builder.” You understand that a great restaurant is only as good as the team behind it. Your goal is to provide “Excellence in Innovation and Taste,” ensuring every guest has an unforgettable experience. We look for “Quality-first” professionals who are creative, organized, and ready to lead Ottawa’s next great dining destination.

Joining Ruby’s means joining a passionate leadership team committed to excellence. We offer a supportive environment where your creativity is celebrated and your financial savvy is rewarded. If you are a chef with a commitment to “Modern Cooking and Team Development,” we invite you to apply and help us shape the future of Ottawa’s culinary scene.

Ruby Inn: An Ottawa Landmark for Chinese Takeout

Ruby Inn is a beloved institution in Ottawa’s culinary landscape, defined by a culture of consistency, tradition, and neighborhood reliability. Established in 1971, its mission is simple but enduring: to satisfy the city’s cravings with high-quality, authentic Chinese cuisine prepared with the finest ingredients. The environment is unpretentious and focused on high-velocity service, functioning as a “home base” for generations of Ottawa families seeking comforting, classic meals. It prides itself on being a “no-nonsense” pillar of the community, where the food speaks for itself.

Located in the southern end of the city, Ruby Inn has maintained its status as a top-tier destination for over five decades:

The Bank Street Hub: Located at 1834 Bank Street (near Walkley Road), the restaurant is conveniently situated next to Value Village. It operates primarily as a takeout and delivery powerhouse, known for handling everything from individual weeknight dinners to large-scale party orders with ease.
The “Best Egg Roll” Legacy: Ruby Inn is legendary in Ottawa for its egg rolls. Often cited by locals and critics as the best in the city, they are a hallmark of the menu—crispy, generously filled, and handmade fresh daily.
Classic Menu Pillars: The menu is a curated collection of North American Chinese staples, featuring:
- Combination Dinners: Offering over 15 varied combinations (e.g., Chicken Fried Rice, Sweet & Sour Chicken Balls, and Garlic Spare Ribs) that provide high-value, complete meals.
- Cantonese & Szechuan Specialties: Including favorites like Cantonese Chow Mein and a wide array of seafood and beef dishes.
- Delivery Excellence: With a dedicated delivery boundary and a robust hotline (613-731-1873), they ensure that “hot and fresh” is a standard, not an exception.
Operational Commitment: The restaurant maintains a disciplined schedule (closed Mondays and Christmas Day) to ensure their team can consistently deliver the quality their long-term patrons expect.

Working with or ordering from Ruby Inn means participating in a local tradition. Whether you are rediscovering Chinese delicacies in the capital or continuing a decades-long family ritual, the experience is defined by the warmth of a business that has grown alongside the city of Ottawa.

To apply for this job please visit www.rubysinn.com.