Café Operator - 2026 Lease available!
Interested in being your own boss? Are you passionate about food, friendly service and running your own business? The Ellis Nature Centre is offering a seasonal lease opportunity for an experienced and motivated Cafe operator for our 2026 season, with potential to return each summer season.
Ellis Nature Centre is looking for a friendly and responsible cafe restaurant operator for the 2026 season. Our Cafe comfortably seats 26 guests indoors, with a functional outdoor patio at a local tourist destination in Central Alberta. This is a great opportunity for someone starting out and looking to gain experience, or someone looking for a retirement job. This is a low cost opportunity in a commercial kitchen that combines both community and experience.

The successful candidate is a self-motivated person with successful operations experience in food service management. The successful candidate will be expected to:

• Offer excellent food service and customer satisfaction with service that is prompt, professional and friendly
• Provide meal content (Ingredients and preparation methods) information to address food intolerance and allergies
• Create and deliver a high-quality, affordable menu that highlights local and homemade food
• Manage food contents, ingredients and preparation
• Manage, hire, and train seasonal staff
• Provide POS equipment to allow payment options for cash and card transactions.
• Maintain high standards of cleanliness and housekeeping in food prep and seating areas
• Must be licensed and meet all laws, regulations, and requirement related to food service operations.
• Provide monthly and Year End summary reports to the Site Manager

On occasion, ENC may host meetings, conferences, or special events. There may be opportunity for the contractor to provide catering services on an “as and when required” basis for special events, meetings, performances or similar functions.

The Contractor is to provide:

• A proposed menu for the Café, along with retail prices of proposed menu items prior to April 15thto the Board for approval
• Printed and digital copy of the menu
• A low-cost Senior’s lunch option
• A fixed low-price all-inclusive meal package available to tour groups
• Children’s meal options

Please inquire for more details. Suitable applicants will be asked to provide a menu and business plan.
Proposals to be submitted by November 15th via email to jobs@ellisnaturecentre.ca
Job Types: Full-time, Fixed term contract, Seasonal
Contract length: 5 months
Pay: $25.29-$38.41 per hour

Education:

• Secondary School (preferred)

Licence/Certification:

• Class 5 Licence (preferred)

Location:

• Lacombe, AB T0C 0C4 (preferred)

Work Location: In perso

Please refer the Job description for details