Specialty Cook Middle-Eastern flatbreads

We're looking for a skilled Specialty Cook with hands-on expertise in Middle-Eastern flatbreads to lead this station in our kitchen. This is a craft-focused role for someone who takes pride in dough fermentation, oven technique, and building balanced, beautifully assembled flatbreads consistently, service after service.

Summary of Duties

• Prepare and manage daily dough batches to a consistent standard of texture and flavor
• Operate and maintain the oven, managing heat zones, fuel/temperature control, and bake timing
• Hand-shape, stretch, and form dough into traditional boat-shaped pide and thin lahmacun bases
• Prepare and portion toppings (meats, cheeses, vegetables, herbs, spice blends) according to recipe specifications
• Assemble toppings with proper technique, portion control, and visual presentation
• Monitor bake quality — crust color, crispness, and doneness — adjusting oven position/timing in real time
• Maintain mise en place, rotate stock (FIFO), and minimize food waste/cost
• Uphold food safety, sanitation, and allergen-handling standards (Safe Food Handling certification required/preferred)
• Train and mentor junior kitchen staff on flatbread technique and station standards
• Collaborate with the Head Chef/Kitchen Manager on menu specials, seasonal items, and recipe refinement
• Monitor and manage station-level inventory and communicate ordering needs

Required Culinary Skills

Dough Preparation

• Experience with high-hydration and traditional Middle-Eastern flatbread doughs
• Understanding of fermentation timing, proofing conditions, and how ambient temperature/humidity affect dough
• Ability to hand-shape dough consistently under time pressure during service

Stone Oven / Wood-Fired Oven Handling

• Prior experience operating a stone deck oven, wood-fired oven, or comparable high-heat specialty oven (600°F+)
• Ability to read and manage oven hot spots, rotate product, and adjust for consistent bake results
• Comfort working safely around live fire/high heat equipment

About Mar'aa

Mar'aa is a contemporary Middle Eastern restaurant in the heart of Yorkville, Toronto, known for an elegant, warm dining atmosphere and a menu built on craft, precision, and hospitality.

Why Work for Us

• Craft your specialty, not just a shift. This role is built around your expertise — you'll own the pide and lahmacun program, not just execute someone else's recipe.
• Yorkville's most refined Middle Eastern kitchen. Be part of a high-caliber culinary team in one of Toronto's most respected dining destinations, working alongside experienced chefs and hospitality professionals.
• Room to grow. We invest in our specialists
• A team that respects the craft. We hire for skill and passion, not just availability — you'll be working with people who genuinely care.

Work Eligibility: Please note that at this time we're only able to consider candidates who are Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or hold a currently valid Canadian work permit authorizing employment in this role. Thanks so much for understanding, and we look forward to hearing from applicants!