Employer: Clay Oven Express
Business Address: 247 Edmonton Street, Winnipeg, MB R3C 0H7
Position Title: Chef
NOC Code: 62200
Number of Vacancies: 1
Terms of Employment: Permanent, Full-Time
Language of Work: English
Wage: $32.17 per hour
Location of Work: Winnipeg, Manitoba
Clay Oven Express is an authentic East Indian restaurant located in downtown Winnipeg. We are dedicated to serving fresh, flavourful, made-to-order meals rooted in traditional Indian culinary techniques. Our kitchen produces everything from scratch — including in-house paneer, yogurt, and freshly baked tandoori naan — and our menu spans classic curries, biryanis, thali platters, tandoori specialties, and Indo-Chinese Hakka dishes. We take pride in accommodating a wide range of dietary needs, including vegetarian, vegan, halal, and gluten-friendly options.
The successful candidate will be responsible for the following:
- Plan and oversee all daily kitchen operations at Clay Oven Express, including scheduling preparation timelines for curries, tandoori items, biryanis, and fresh breads to ensure seamless service from open to close
- Develop and update the restaurant's Indian menu, including new curry variations, seasonal biryani preparations, thali combinations, and Indo-Chinese Hakka specials, balancing authenticity with customer demand and food cost targets
- Estimate daily and weekly quantities of ingredients — including whole spices, lentils, marinated proteins, dairy, and fresh produce — and place orders with suppliers to maintain stock without over-purchasing
- Supervise and direct cooks and kitchen helpers throughout service; assign stations, monitor execution of dishes, and intervene to correct technique or presentation before food reaches the customer
- Recruit, interview, and hire cooks and kitchen support staff; conduct onboarding and hands-on training specific to the restaurant's recipes, spice blends, and clay oven techniques
- Demonstrate proper tandoor operation to kitchen staff, including marination ratios for tikka and kebab items, heat management inside the clay oven, and safe removal and plating of tandoori dishes
- Develop and standardize in-house preparations — including fresh paneer, cooking yogurt, tamarind chutney, and house-blended masalas — and instruct kitchen staff on correct ratios, textures, and storage protocols
- Create new recipes for special functions and catering events, including corporate luncheons held in the Manitoba Hydro building, and consult with management on portion sizing, costing, and presentation for bulk service
- Monitor kitchen labour and food costs on an ongoing basis; identify waste patterns, adjust prep volumes, and implement portioning controls to maintain target margins
- Arrange for repair and maintenance of kitchen equipment including the tandoor oven, commercial burners, and refrigeration units; source replacement equipment when required and coordinate with vendors
- Ensure the kitchen operates in full compliance with Manitoba Health food safety regulations, including temperature logs, allergen separation (particularly for vegetarian, vegan, halal, and gluten-friendly preparations), and sanitation schedules
- Occasionally prepare and cook specialty dishes personally — particularly for VIP guests, new menu trials, or high-volume catering functions — to maintain quality benchmarks and demonstrate standards to kitchen staff
SKILLS AND REQUIREMENTS
Education:
- No formal education required
Work Experience:
- Minimum 5 years of experience as a chef or cook in an Indian or South Asian cuisine restaurant
- Demonstrated experience with tandoor/clay oven cooking techniques
- Experience preparing authentic Indian dishes including curries, biryanis, tandoori items, and breads
- Experience supervising or leading kitchen staff is an asset
Skills and Abilities:
- Strong knowledge of Indian spices, cooking methods, and regional cuisine traditions
- Ability to maintain quality and consistency in a fast-paced, high-volume environment
- Knowledge of food safety and sanitation standards
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team
- Strong organizational and time management skills
- Ability to communicate effectively in English
Interested candidates may apply through any of the following methods:
By Email:
rahulsharmame15@gmail.com
By Phone:
204-395-1600
In Person or By Mail:
Clay Oven Express
247 Edmonton Street
Winnipeg, MB R3C 0H7
(Monday to Friday, 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM)
We thank all applicants for their interest. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
