Help bring Rathskellar to life.
Hidden beneath The Grove Hotel, something special is taking shape.
This fall, we’re opening Rathskellar 1854, a cocktail bar with old-world soul, modern edge, unforgettable hospitality, and a vibe you’ll want to come back for.
We’re creating the kind of place where one drink quietly turns into three.
Our food program is intentionally small, thoughtful and designed to complement the experience rather than compete with it.
We’re looking for a Culinary Team Member to work alongside our Founding Culinary Lead and help bring that program to life.
Someone who cares about the details.
Someone who understands that simple food still needs to be beautifully executed.
Someone who takes just as much pride in a perfectly organized prep space as they do in what leaves the kitchen.
Most importantly, we’re looking for someone who wants to be part of building something new from the very beginning.
About Rathskellar 1854
Rathskellar 1854 is more than a cocktail bar.
It’s a place built around conversation, craftsmanship, and connection.
Inspired by the history of The Grove Hotel and the tradition of hidden cellar taverns, Rathskellar blends timeless hospitality with a fresh perspective. Every detail has been intentionally considered, from the atmosphere and music to the cocktails and guest experience.
We’re not trying to be the busiest room in town. We’re working to become one of the most memorable.
The Opportunity
As a Culinary Team Member at Rathskellar 1854, you’ll work alongside our Founding Culinary Lead and the rest of the Rathskellar team to deliver a small, carefully considered food program designed specifically for our cocktail lounge.
This isn’t a traditional restaurant kitchen. Our menu is intentionally focused, which means execution, presentation, organization and consistency matter enormously.
You’ll assist with food preparation, boards and small plates, desserts, plating and assembly, service, stocking, receiving, cleaning and maintaining an exceptionally organized prep and kitchen space.
You’ll also be joining us at the beginning, which means you’ll have the opportunity to learn the program as it develops, help establish strong routines and contribute to the way our culinary operation works from day one.
We’re looking for someone who enjoys working with food, takes pride in doing things properly and understands that even the simplest dish can be memorable when it’s prepared with care.
What You’ll Help Build
Your role will include:
- A small, thoughtful food program designed to complement our cocktail experience
- Beautifully prepared and consistently presented food
- Strong prep, storage, labelling and organization systems
- Smooth and efficient service routines
- High standards for cleanliness, sanitation and food safety
- Thoughtful portioning and attention to food quality and waste
- Strong communication between the culinary, bar and service teams
- A kitchen and prep space that’s organized, stocked and ready for service
- The personality and culture of Rathskellar from day one
Who You Are
You might be the perfect fit if you:
- You enjoy working with food and take pride in presentation and execution
- You’re organized, clean and naturally attentive to detail
- You can follow recipes, portioning and presentation standards consistently
- You’re comfortable working independently when needed
- You stay calm and focused when service gets busy
- You’re dependable, accountable and work well as part of a small team
- You’re willing to learn and open to feedback
- You understand the importance of food safety, cleanliness and proper storage
- You’re comfortable pitching in wherever needed in a small operation
- You’re available to work evenings, weekends and holidays
- You hold, or are willing to obtain, a valid Food Handler Certificate before beginning work.
Attitude, curiosity, and a genuine passion for hospitality matter just as much.
Bonus Points If You Have
- EPrevious culinary, kitchen, prep or food-service experience
- Culinary education or training
- Experience with charcuterie, cheese, small plates or cold preparation
- Experience with plating and presentation
- Experience in a cocktail bar, restaurant, winery, hotel or similar hospitality environment
- Experience opening a new restaurant, bar or hospitality concept
- Food Handler Certification
What We Offer
- Part-time to full-time employment, depending on experience, availability and the needs of the operation
- Competitive compensation, negotiable based on experience
- Participation in Rathskellar’s gratuity program
- Training and continued development alongside our Founding Culinary Lead
- The opportunity to be part of a brand-new hospitality concept from opening day
- The chance to help establish the systems and standards of a new culinary program
- Opportunities for growth within Rathskellar and The Grove Hospitality Group
- A supportive, collaborative environment where initiative, creativity and attention to detail matter
About The Grove Hospitality Group
The Grove Hospitality Group is an independent, locally owned collection of hospitality experiences based in Kingsville and Colchester, Ontario.
We’re passionate about creating places people genuinely enjoy spending time in.
We believe hospitality should be memorable, genuine, and just a little unexpected.
We work hard.
We laugh often.
We care deeply about our guests and each other.
If that sounds like the kind of place you’d enjoy being part of, we’d love to hear from you.
How to Apply
Think you’d fit behind the bar at Rathskellar?
We’d love to hear from you.
Apply through Indeed or send your résumé and a brief introduction to [email protected].
Tell us a little about your bartending experience and why Rathskellar caught your attention.
Applications will be reviewed as they’re received. While only those selected for an interview will be contacted, we genuinely appreciate everyone who takes the time to apply.