Lead Cook - Community Centre

About this position

PRIMARY FUNCTION

Reporting to the Manager, Community-Engaged Food Programs the Lead Cook is responsible for the production of food for The 519’s food security programs as well as responsible for creating opportunities for community members to meaningfully participate through community kitchen models.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Supports the Manager in the ordering of produce, meat and dried goods supplies for The 519’s food programs and helps to ensure that the receiving and inventory requirements are met with limited food wastage
• Coordinates food production and general kitchen activities, ensuring The 519’s high quality food specifications and standards are met at all times. This includes providing task assignment and direction to volunteers during shifts
• Prepares, cooks, and serves meals in the various food programs and through our productive enterprise activities. This may include, but not limited to, soups, sauces, bread and desserts, rice and starches, meat, fish, and poultry, fresh and processed vegetables, canning, preserving and other food production.
• Works in various settings employing a professional, friendly and courteous   customer service approach in all activities
• Prepares food within specified time frame, and ensuring quality and consistent product based on established standards
• Assists in planning and production of menus utilizing food procured through purveyors that includes rescued food
• Works with, directs and assists volunteers in food production, service and cleaning
• Cleans and maintains all work surfaces, including tables and floors, at completion of meals and removes all dirty dishes and flatware, pots and pans to washing area
• Cleans and sanitizes kitchen equipment and appliances such as: meat slicers, mincers, choppers, mixers, ovens, grills, deep fryers, steamers, skillets etc.
• Sorts and disposes of garbage according to the recycling program and maintains garbage cans and bins in a clean and sanitary manner
• As scheduled washes, cleans and sanitizes all kitchen counters, tables, floors, bins, refrigerators, freezers, garbage containers, dining room furniture, shelves, windows, walls, carts, trolleys, coffee and beverage machines and any equipment used in the preparation of food and in serving areas
• Delivers food supplies and food to dining/serving and preparation areas. Collects and disposes of/or saves leftovers and waste from these areas
• Completes inventory tracking sheets, prepares food and supplies orders for approval, receives goods, confirms order accuracy, lifts, carries, unpacks and properly stores supplies/food in refrigerators, freezers and various storage areas and rotates food according to expiry dates throughout the building
• Complies with all requirements and guidelines related to safe food handling practices, and all other applicable legislation and regulations including but not limited to Health and Safety legislation and The 519 and City of Toronto internal policies
• Prepares and serves food according to portion control guidelines, checks food temperature, quality and correct dietary application. Handles cash and debit payments following internal policies, reconciles sales with cash at the end of each shift, reports discrepancies immediately to the supervisor
• Other duties as assigned

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE

1. A minimum of 3-5 years cooking experience in the food industry and/or the food security community
2. Demonstrated ability to effectively work with staff and volunteers, with an ability to work both independently and as a part of teams
3. A commitment to local and sustainable food, food security, and a desire to educate and champion the food security community
4. Ability to operate and clean various pieces of food services equipment
5. Fundamental knowledge of the Occupational Health and Safety Act, WHMIS, the Sanitation Code and the legislation related to this work
6. An interest and commitment to supporting social enterprise and community engagement related activities
7. Excellent understanding of LGBTQ2S communities and the role that community centres play in local neighborhoods.
8. Highly developed interpersonal, verbal and written communication and customer services skills and an ability to work and communicate effectively to a broad range of stakeholders
9. Demonstrated ability to manage multiple demands within tight deadlines
10. Willingness to work weekends, shifts and holidays as assigned
11. Proficient in Windows, spreadsheet, and d-base applications
12. Ability to perform basic mathematical calculations
13. Ability to lift heavy items up to 50 lbs. and perform various cleaning duties
14. Proven ability to handle confidential and sensitive information with discretion and tact

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT

Position Status:

Full-Time Continuing

Union Status:

Union Position – CUPE Local 2998

Wage Grade:

4

Hourly Rate:

$19.52

Hours of Work:

40 hours per week. Sunday-Thursday 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Benefits:

Enrolled in health, dental, life and disability benefits after six months of probation. Enrolled in the OMERS pension plan from day one.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

Email your cover letter and resume as one document to Careers@The519.org no later than 12:01 p.m. on Tuesday, May 11, 2021. Please quote Job 21-11 and your name in the cover letter and in the email subject line. For example, in the email subject line “Job 21-11 First Name Last Name”.  Please also let us know which pronouns you would like us to use when corresponding with you (directly and within The 519) in your cover letter or email.

The 519 actively encourages applicants from all equity seeking groups.  The 519 embraces diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive workplace.  Our goal is to attract, develop, and retain highly talented employees from diverse backgrounds allowing us to benefit from a wide variety of experiences and perspectives.  We thank all applicants and advise that only those selected for an interview will be contacted.  No agencies please.

In accordance with Ontario Human Rights Code, Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, and the City of Toronto’s Accommodation Policy, accommodation will be provided in all parts of the hiring process. Applicants need to make their needs known in advance.