Apprentice I - Culinary Unrestricted (Full-time)

Company Description

Recognized as the #1 Best Canadian Hotel in Travel + Leisure's 2025 & 2026 World's Best Awards, Fairmont Empress is located in Victoria, BC, overlooking the city's sparkling Inner Harbour. A Forbes recommended and MICHELIN key hotel that offers 431 beautifully appointed guest rooms and suites, Fairmont Spa with signature West Coast experiences, and Q at the Empress featuring Pacific Northwest cuisine, an award-winning wine list, and regionally focused cocktail culture. World-famous Tea at the Empress is served in the Lobby Lounge with stunning harbour views. The magnificent property completed a $60+ million restoration in 2017 that celebrated its proud history while moving the hotel into a new era of modern luxury and transforming the iconic property into a must-visit destination. In 2023, the property introduced a revamped Fairmont Gold Experience, including a major renovation to the Fairmont Gold floor. 88 Fairmont Gold rooms and a newly renovated lounge are ready to accommodate guests. Located on Vancouver Island, Canada's Castle on the Coast is the ideal starting point to explore British Columbia's stunning natural and expansive beauty. Historic Hotels Worldwide recognizes the property's prestigious grounds as the Top 25 Most Magnificent Gardens in the World.

Job Description

What is in it for you:

• Employee benefit card offering discounted rates at Accor properties worldwide and additional benefits for Fairmont and Raffles colleagues
• Exclusive Employee and Friends & Family Discounts at Fairmont Empress Hotel
• Exclusive access to the Pacific Northwest Food & Beverage Discount Program with 50% off at our dining destinations in Vancouver, Victoria, and Whistler
• Opportunity to develop your talent and grow within your property and across the world!
• Complimentary meal during your shift through our Colleague Dining Program
• Complimentary uniform laundering
• Access to our comprehensive benefits and wellness programs, including extended healthcare benefits and RMT, dental, vision, and complimentary counseling, wellness sessions, financial and family planning through GreenShield
• Access to our company-matched Defined Contribution Pension Plan (DCPP)
• Opportunity to develop your talent through coaching and our Leadership Mentoring Programs
• Hourly pay rate of $27.11 to 30.99
  
  

What you will be doing:

Reporting to the Executive Chef, Executive Sous Chef, or designated Sous Chef, the Culinary Apprentice I is an entry-level culinary professional enrolled in, or working toward, a recognized culinary apprenticeship program. This role provides hands-on training and development in a luxury hotel environment while supporting the culinary team in delivering exceptional food quality, presentation, and service standards. The successful candidate will demonstrate a passion for culinary arts, a commitment to learning, and the ability to work effectively within a fast-paced kitchen environment.

• Assist in the preparation and presentation of menu items according to Fairmont standards and recipes.
• Learn and apply proper culinary techniques, knife skills, food preparation methods, and cooking procedures.
• Support various kitchen outlets, including banquets, restaurants, lounges, and employee dining areas.
• Prepare ingredients through washing, peeling, cutting, portioning, and storing products.
• Maintain cleanliness and organization of workstations, kitchen equipment, and storage areas.
• Follow all food safety, sanitation, and workplace safety procedures.
• Assist with receiving, storing, and rotating food products in accordance with FIFO practices.
• Work collaboratively with chefs and colleagues to ensure quality, consistency, and timely service.
• Participate in apprenticeship training and successfully complete required competencies and evaluations.
• Contribute to a positive and inclusive team culture aligned with Fairmont's service values.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
  
  

Qualifications

Qualifications

Your experience and skills include:

• Experience and skill development should align with the occupational standards established for SkilledTradesBC Professional Cook 1 (PC1) certification.
• Enrolled in or eligible to enroll in a recognized Culinary Apprenticeship Program.
• Previous kitchen, restaurant, hospitality, or culinary school experience is considered an asset.
• Food Safe Certificate Level 1
• Basic knowledge of food preparation techniques and kitchen operations.
• Strong desire to learn and develop culinary skills.
• Excellent communication and teamwork abilities.
• Ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality.
• Flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.
  
  

Additional Information

Physical ability to perform the requirements of the job, including:

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 lbs (23 kg)
• Ability to perform repetitive movements including bending, reaching, and lifting.
• Comfortable working in hot, humid, and fast-paced kitchen environments.
  
  

Visa Requirements: Must be legally eligible to work in Canada. The hotel is unable to assist candidates in obtaining Canadian work authorization.

Your team and working environment: Welcome to Canada’s Castle on the Coast. The Empress Hotel sits proudly at the centre of culture and history in Victoria, British Columbia. This is the best of all worlds – where contrast meets distinction, opulence blends harmoniously with the understated and fabled history meshes with contemporary affairs. This award-winning Victoria hotel and National Historic Site is an alluring blend of classic and contemporary, vintage and cutting-edge: Where Modern meets Iconic. Come join our wonderful team of hospitality experts!

Our commitment to Diversity & Inclusion:

We are an inclusive company and our ambition is to attract, recruit and promote diverse talent.

Why work for Accor?

We are far more than a worldwide leader. We welcome you as you are and you can find a job and brand that matches your personality. We support you to grow and learn every day, making sure that work brings purpose to your life, so that during your journey with us, you can continue to explore Accor’s limitless possibilities.

By joining Accor, every chapter of your story is yours to write and together we can imagine tomorrow's hospitality. Discover the life that awaits you at Accor, visit https://careers.accor.com/

Do what you love, care for the world, dare to challenge the status quo! #BELIMITLESS