Gina’s Gelato Employment

 

(The sweetest jobs in Nelson, BC!)

Our teams help create a high-end, early 1900s-vibe experience, giving table service to guests and serving up incredibly handmade desserts (we make our own almond flour, sweetened condensed milk, and all the etc.s ;), drinks, & old-world style gelato. Our team lives for the chance to create bright moments for each person who walks through the door.

We are currently hiring for year-round positions: Our yearly calendar runs from mid-February through December 23 and then we take our ¨long winter’s nap” from Christmas through mid-February (a good chance to ski your heart out!). 

 

Who we choose for our team:

We value three things above all else: graciousness, resourcefulness, and integrity. We’re on the lookout for detailed and creative people who live to go the extra mile and love to learn; team members who are ready to bring new ideas to the table so we can grow together.

Disclaimer: We’re about to get pretty detailed, but you should know if this is a good fit for you before you take time to apply. And hey, if you like getting into the nitty-gritty and dig details, you’re off to a good start as a potential member of our team. Read on!

 

About Gina’s Gelato

Our passion is making deliciously unique gelato, sorbetto, desserts, drinks (and all the fun extras). We believe food made with the best ingredients and by the best team creates the best experiences both for the team and our guests.

We are all about creating a place for friends to gather and enjoy time with each other. No wifi. No tv. Just traditionally-made gelati (plural for “gelato), sorbetti (you guessed it: plural for sorbetto), and desserts made by hand in a vintage shop and enjoyed with good company.

And we do things a little differently than your everyday ice cream or gelato shop to create those great experiences: We look to provide five-star service in unexpected ways. This includes building out an upscale front of house (yes, including the washroom), gold-tray service (we literally use gold trays), personal french press service, and providing gelato and sorbetto tastings for each guest.

We’re constantly dreaming up new ways of presenting desserts, creating new flavours, and looking for ways to partner as locally as possible to get fresh ingredients close to home.

We expect a lot of each other but our team works together to give mountains back in return. If this sounds like the kind of team and work culture that would be second nature for you, please apply!

 

Gina’s Gelato Job Descriptions

Our team members deliver fantastic experiences for our gelato guests while keeping the cleanest, safest, and most organized gelato shop (gelateria) — and making it look effortless.

There’s lots to learn, so what you don’t know yet, we’ll help you get there.

Requirements for all positions

  • You are eligible to work in Canada and have the necessary paperwork to do so
  • You’re committed. Your word is golden; you know that being part of a team means others are counting on you and that matters a heck of a lot to you
  • You’re able and open to tasting all of our gelato and desserts; i.e. you can be an ambassador for all our food products, including ones that contain dairy, egg, nut, and/or wheat and grain, etc.
  • Summer-time commitment: You understand that this is the busiest time of year and you can commit to working from June until the end of August without vacations (days may be swapped with co-workers, of course!)
  • You’re able to:
    • work on your feet for up to 8 hours a day;
    • scoop gelato repetitively;
    • lift up to 25kg (55lbs)
    • commit to at least 20 hours/week
  • You bring a can-do attitude; you’re resourceful and see “problems” as a challenge that kicks your creative thinking skills into gear; you love finding solutions and creating unique experiences for others
  • You want to be part of a team environment; we may be biased, but we think we have the sweetest team around and we protect our team by joining forces with others who are naturally positive, uplifting, and want to create 5-star experiences for our guests and each other. 
  • You naturally use clean, respectful words — in front of customers and fellow team members; this includes:
    • not gossiping
    • keeping topics respectful & only using G-rated language (we do not engage in topics or use words that may be hurtful, offensive, or exclusive for people of various religions, political views, social beliefs, ethnicities, nationalities, ages, abilities, etc.)
      • Just to be proactive (this hasn’t been an issue, but we’d rather be upfront!): Gina’s Gelato is not a place for debates, bashing, activism, etc.
      • Though individually, we may not see eye-to-eye, as an organization, our team is respectful, polite, and strives to uphold the dignity of people with vastly different perspectives and worldviews. If needed, we kindly steer topics into positive territory.
      • Gina believes cohesiveness can be restored between nearly all people, even of opposing belief systems and that celebrating differences and finding common ground is the way forward. We adopt that belief here.
  • You’re chock full of integrity; you’re driven by honesty and a stickler for being upright (including owning up to mistakes)
  • You’ve got the special ability to work well on your own and as part of a team and don’t see position requirements as “your job” vs “my job” but see Gina’s Gelato as “everyone’s job” — i.e. if something needs to be done, you do it or let someone know it needs to be done (e.g. messes anywhere — kitchen or front of house — are cleaned by all of us)
  • You’re a master of communication; you can turn nearly every situation into a positive, can easily talk with others, are able to keep the conversation moving when it’s busy, and uphold everyone’s dignity even when their worldview is vastly different to your own. Imagine being a terrific host/hostess at a party, as a lot of those same qualities apply to this position!
  • You’re willing to regularly contribute to the team-run Tiktok account as well as be photographed and featured across our social media channels and potential other public-facing media outlets (e.g. Nelson Star/local news; or if a guest takes a photo for their own Instagram)
  • You’re flexible; you know things might change day in and day out with what the team and the customers need; you are A-Ok with things changing up and are ready to lend a hand (or ideas)
  • You think people of all ages are the greatest!
  • You’re happy to listen to early 20th-century music during your shift and wearing clothes that adhere to our dress standards

Servers: Masters of Hospitality

Here’s what our servers (and all positions) do to create great experiences for guests and each other every day:

  • Deliver supremely superior service by being gracious, knowledgeable, and upbeat with both guests and fellow team members
  • Be a stickler for sparkles (in the shop, patio and washrooms, that is); this includes:
    • cleaning the gelato display and other equipment;
    • provide table service (including clearing dishes and cleaning tables and chairs after guests leave indoors and on our patio), wiping down shelves, handles, glass surfaces, and yes — even walls (tiny, sticky hands are encouraged in the shop, but we don’t want to leave clues behind);
    • emptying waste baskets and recycling;
    • sweeping, mopping, and spot cleaning the floors throughout the day;
    • organizing what the public can see and what they can’t (nothing swept under rugs here!);
    • and all the etc.’s
  • Make sure each gelato flavour has its best foot forward by ensuring each item (gelato/sorbetto/desserts) is stocked and looks a-mmm-azing
  • Greet guests of all ages (must love kids and adults alike) with a warm welcome (this includes smiles and an enthusiastic tone of voice)
  • Provide gelato and sorbetto samples and share the stories and ingredients of each item we serve at Gina’s Gelato (must be willing to learn and share info about local suppliers, growers, and any extra tidbits with every guest)
  • Share and exemplify the values of our gelateria with guests and fellow team members
  • Prepare orders according to guest requests
  • Assist with the checkout process (our point of sale system; we’ll show you how), and provide accurate change for orders paid by cash
  • Work early, mid-day, or late evenings, depending on your shift
  • Assist fellow team members with various jobs
  • Think outside the box to solve issues, own “problems” to turn them into positives, and create a remarkably memorable experience for every guest and team member
  • Serve canine-friendly treats to our four-legged friends outdoors
  • Brainstorm with kitchen and service staff on future ideas for Gina’s Gelato
  • Alert kitchen staff when items are running low (like cones and cookies) and need to be made; helps kitchen staff with gelato/sorbetto inventory via “checkout” system
  • Barista experience is a massive bonus, as is a FoodSafe certification

Kitchen specialist: Gelato & Baking Position

Join a craft-driven kitchen!

Food ethics at Gina’s Gelato:
We uphold slow food ideals and creating desserts that reflect old-world ingredients, including only using 100% natural ingredients that are locally sourced whenever possible. Gina (hi, that’s me! :) creates everything from scratch, from nut pastes to sweetened condensed milk, never relying on pre-made bases for our gelato and sorbetto – a rarity, yes, but important for preserving the craft of authentic gelato, sorbetto and desserts. 

This means our desserts take longer to create and provide tons of satisfaction when they’re enjoyed! 

Our crew (including our servers) is passionate about reducing food waste and exploring upcycling opportunities. In the kitchen, I’m looking to go from a one-woman show into a collaborative kitchen crew. If you’re excited to join in on this journey, please read on!

Position Overview:
I’m seeking a dedicated kitchen collaborator who is passionate about baking and eager to learn the craft of making gelato and desserts from scratch. You’ll receive hands-on training with gelato and sorbetto, and come with your own experience in a commercial kitchen (student or professional) with a focus on maintaining consistency, precision, and sparkling cleanliness. (Seriously, we like to see things shine at Gina’s Gelato, so we do detailed cleanup!)

This role requires someone who thrives in a clean, organized kitchen and values collaboration, growth, and creative problem-solving.

If you love the idea of being on the ground floor and shaping the direction of the kitchen, value the beauty of slow food, and want to contribute to a unique business model in a food-focused small business, this role is for you!

Responsibilities:

  • Gelato Production: Follow established recipes for our handcrafted gelato and sorbetto. 
  • Baking: Assist in the preparation of baked goods that complement our gelato offerings.
  • Kitchen Cleanliness: Maintain an ultra-clean kitchen environment at all times, including all equipment and surfaces.
  • Ingredient Management: Assist with ingredient prep, ensuring nothing is wasted and upcycling when possible.
  • Collaboration: Work closely with Gina and the team to grow and improve the kitchen processes, sourcing, and menu as ideas come to mind. We value every team member’s input and commitment to our small business.
  • Taste Testing: Participate in taste tests to ensure flavors are balanced and consistent. You’ll need to be a super-taster—able to pick up on the nuances of flavor (e.g., balancing salt, sweet, acid, etc.).
  • Teamwork: Work alongside the kitchen and serving team, stepping in to help wherever needed to ensure smooth operation.

Qualifications:

  • Kitchen Experience: Previous experience working in a professional or post-secondary culinary program kitchen, with at least basic baking skills and knowledge.
  • Food Safety Certification: Must have the necessary certifications required for working in BC.
  • Growth Mindset: You’re eager to learn and improve, both as an individual and as part of the team. You understand that challenges are opportunities for growth.
  • Attention to Detail: You thrive in an environment that demands precision and are committed to producing high-quality, consistent products.
  • Collaborative Spirit: You love being part of a team that shares ideas, grows together, and values communication.
  • Respect for Local Ingredients: You appreciate the beauty of working with local and natural ingredients, and you’re excited to contribute to our effort to reduce food waste.

What We Offer:

  • Training & Mentorship: Hands-on training in gelato-making, further skill development in baking, a desire for all team members to be able to integrate their interests within the company (I like to think of our team as individual “intrapreneurs :)”, and opportunities to advance within the company as we grow.
  • Growth Opportunities: We’re looking for someone who wants to grow with us—taking on more responsibility in the kitchen, contributing to new menu ideas, or potentially creating a new role for Gina’s Gelato as we progress
  • A Collaborative Environment: Join a team that’s committed to supporting one another and creating a work environment that’s positive, inclusive, and driven by shared goals.

Physical Requirements:

  • Ability to work on your feet for extended periods (up to 8 hours)
  • Ability to lift up to 25kg (55lbs)
  • Availability for 25-40 hours/week, moving to 40 hours in the summer

Gina’s Gelato wages, hours & advancement

Wages:

  • Day-time, year-round openings: Based on experience/availability (+ tips)
  • Summer server openings: $16.75/hr for new summer team members

Schedule: We are open 10+ months out of the year (we currently close for Christmas through mid-Feb), and our hours are based on the season. Please keep in mind that hours before and after the shop closes are necessary for set up and will be part of each staff member’s schedule.

Hours:

  • Servers: Hours are up to 40 hours a week; we may hire for a part time or full-time depending on the right fit. Currently, we are looking for weekday servers for daytime shifts Wednesday through Sunday.
  • Kitchen: During the slower season (Oct-April) 25-40 hours/week; during high season (May-Sept) 40 hours/week. During the slower season, hours are more flexible, with hours available Wednesday through Monday. During the summer the kitchen gets warm, so gelato work must be completed in earlier morning hours (we do have AC, so don’t stress :).

Length of employment:

  • Summer positions are asked to be available from the beginning of June until at least the end of August (preferably through the end of September, with reduced hours considered as needed for local students) with a potential to continue year-round
  • Year-round positions are dependent on seasonal hours.
  • For students: During our slower season/the school year, we try to accommodate requests for hours around school commitments as best we can and invite you to bring your school work to work with you so you can stay on top of your studies (during slow periods, of course ;)

Chances for advancement: Yup! We prefer to promote and hire from within, and we traditionally start everyone as a server. From there, you can move up into team coordinator, manager, or even be brought on as kitchen assistant or staff. We are interested in our staff’s individual goals and want to be a place that provides learning and mentorship however we can. (i.e. successful candidates will have a great desire to learn & grow. :)

We believe in doing our best work together while respecting each person’s individual strengths and aspirations. We’re not perfect yet but aim to create a place where we enjoy our work, can contribute meaningfully, and feel supported in a true team-driven environment.

If you’re passionate about handmade, natural food and want to be part of a small business that values hard work and collaboration, we’d love to hear from you.

 

Next steps/Application Link:

If you’ve read through all of this, then you’re detailed and thorough and we’d like to talk more.

Psst: This is our way of saying that this is required of our team, so here’s your chance to decide if it’s a good fit!

For all those who are detailed & thorough (and more), let’s get you going on our application (and first interview). Here’s how the application/first interview works:

We combine our application and first-interview into a single online process using Vervoe, an online hiring platform. Once you click the link below and register, you’ll have 4 days to respond to interview questions. This can be done at your own pace (within the 4-day time frame once you start) and at a time that is convenient for you.

The application has a mix of video, audio, and written response requirements, so please make sure you have access to a way to record yourself via video and audio. 


Apply using link below

Server at Gina’s Gelato
Kitchen specialist: Gelato & baking

We also invite you to drop in whenever we’re open to talk with any of the servers about their experience, too, to see if it’s a good fit for you.

 

When you’ll hear back

Successful candidates will be contacted for an in-person interview.

If you do not hear back, it is because we have already filled, have closed the position, or don’t currently have a position matching your skill set. However, we do keep your application on file and may contact you about potential openings in the future.