February, 2026
Full-Time | Saanich Peninsula, BC
The Gig
We’re looking for a Kitchen Cook who wants to be part of a small, focused, high-standards food program inside a craft brewery that actually gives a damn about what comes out of the kitchen.
This isn’t a pub. We don’t have deep fryers. We’re not cranking out wings and nachos. Our Food Lab is built around scratch-made, ingredient-driven cooking – the kind of food that makes people stop mid-bite and say, “Wait, this is from a brewery?”
You’ll work alongside our Kitchen Lead in a lean team (max 3 people), helping run day-to-day operations and stepping up when needed. If you’ve been waiting for a place where the kitchen isn’t an afterthought, this is it.
What You’ll Be Doing
Cooking With Consistency
You’re the reliable second-in-command. Prep, service, execution – you keep things running smoothly and maintain the standards we’ve set. When the Kitchen Lead is off, you’re the one holding it down.
Learning and Growing
This is a role with room to develop. You’ll have input on menu ideas, work directly with our Kitchen Lead, and gain experience managing operations in a kitchen that actually cares about what it’s doing.
Cooking With Intention
We care about where things come from and how they’re made. Our Michell Farms beef burger is a closed-loop partnership- they feed their cattle our spent grain, we serve their beef. That’s the kind of thoughtfulness we want in everything we do.
Using Good Tools
You’ll work with a Rational combi oven – a seriously capable piece of kit that opens up a lot of creative possibilities. If you haven’t used one before, we’ll show you what it can do.
Being Part of Something Bigger
You’ll help build relationships with local farms and suppliers, contribute to seasonal menu development, and be part of a food program that reflects where we are – on the Saanich Peninsula, surrounded by incredible producers.
Who You Are
- Solid fundamentals. You’ve got 1-3 years in professional kitchens and you know your way around a line. You’re fast, clean, and consistent.
- Ready to step up. You’re looking for more than just another line cook job – you want a place where you can grow, learn, and eventually take on more responsibility.
- Reliable and organized. Small kitchens don’t have room for chaos. You show up ready to work, you keep your station tight, and you’ve got the Kitchen Lead’s back.
- Collaborative. You work well with others, you take direction without ego, and you’re comfortable being part of a small, close-knit team.
- Food Safe certified. (Culinary training is a bonus, but not required.)
Why This Job is Different
The hours don’t suck.
We’re open noon – 9 pm, seven days a week. Kitchen closes at 8:30 pm. No late-night grinds. No Sunday brunch chaos. Predictable, reasonable shifts that let you have a life outside work.
The food program matters here.
This isn’t a kitchen bolted onto a brewery as an afterthought. Food is a core part of what makes Category 12 special, and we’re looking for someone who wants to be part of building something people remember.
You’ll actually learn something.
Work alongside an experienced Kitchen Lead, contribute ideas to seasonal menus, and develop your skills in a kitchen that’s focused on quality over volume. We’re inspired by places like Rusted Rake Brewing and Wheelies Motorcycle Cafe – tight, focused menus that punch way above their weight.
The team is small, but the support is real.
You’re working directly with the owners and Kitchen Lead. No layers of management. No corporate bureaucracy. Just clear communication, mutual respect, and a shared goal: make great food and beer in a space people love.
What We’re Offering
Compensation:
- Base pay: $20–23/hour (based on experience)
- Tip pool: $9–12/hour average (our kitchen staff share in tips like FOH)
- Total comp: $29–35/hour
Benefits:
- Health + dental insurance
- Health spending account
- Paid time off
- Payday flat of beer + staff discounts
- Performance-based bonuses
- Room to grow into more responsibility
How to Apply
If you’re passionate about crafting exceptional food and pairing it with outstanding beer, we’d love to hear from you! Please submit your resume and a cover letter detailing why you’re the perfect fit for our team to icandothis@category12brewing.com.
Category 12 + You > Category 12
Our customers come from all walks of life and so do we. We embrace diversity and welcome applicants from all backgrounds. If you share our values and enthusiasm for craft beer and food, you’ll find a home with us at Category 12 Brewing.