Cook

CatholicCare; Newcastle; On-site; AUD 30,000 - 39,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Direct community impact

Gym membership discount

Paid parental leave

Salary packaging

Flexible working arrangements

Ongoing training and development

Supportive team environment

Corporate benefits

Job summary

CatholicCare Café, Martha Kitchen in Newcastle, NSW, is seeking a Cook for a permanent part-time role (minimum 25 hours/week). The cook will assist the Head Chef, prepare high-quality cafe and function meals, and uphold food safety, cleanliness, and service standards.

The position offers weekday-focused hours with occasional evenings or weekend events; ideal for an experienced cook seeking balance and community impact. Previous experience with vulnerable groups is desirable.

Qualifications

• Commitment to Vision, Mission and Values of the organisation.
• Experience in fast-paced environments with high-volume food.
• Experience as a Cook in venues delivering high-quality, high-volume meals.

Responsibilities

• Carry out general cleaning, food preparation and cafe meal prep.
• Support Head Chef to prepare cafe and function meals.
• Replenish supplies and manage stock inventories.
• Ensure staff comply with health, safety and food handling standards.
• Collaborate with Head Chef to meet Cafe goals and maintain service quality.

Skills

Teamwork

Food safety

Communication

Empathy towards vulnerable groups

Flexibility

Time management

Cultural awareness

Education

NSW Driver Licence

Working With Children Check

Food Safety Supervisor Course (Desirable)

Job description

The Opportunity CatholicCare Café, Martha Kitchen, is a busy and welcoming café operated by CatholicCare Social Services Hunter Manning. Serving customers Monday to Friday and catering for functions and conferences throughout the year, the café combines quality food and service with a meaningful purpose. This is a permanent part-time role for a minimum of 25 hours per week.

As a Cook, you will work alongside our Head Chef to prepare and deliver fresh, high-quality café and function meals while maintaining exceptional food safety, cleanliness and service standards. This role offers the unique opportunity to apply your hospitality experience in a supportive and community-focused environment, while enjoying the benefit of predominantly weekday business hours, a rare offering within the hospitality industry. While occasional evening, weekend or function work may be required, this position provides greater work-life balance and more predictable hours than many traditional hospitality roles, making it an excellent opportunity for an experienced Cook seeking both professional fulfilment and lifestyle flexibility.

BENEFITS OF WORKING WITH US

• Directly contribute to improving the lives of many in the community.
• Discounted gym membership through Fitness Passport( T&C’s apply ).
• Paid parental leave (for eligible employees).
• Salary packaging available.
• Flexible working arrangements.
• Ongoing training and development opportunities.
• A great friendly environment of dedicated and passionate co-workers.
• Corporate benefits, including EAP, flu shots and more.

CatholicCare Cafe is a café owned and operated by CatholicCare Social Services Hunter Manning.

The CatholicCare Cafe operates Monday to Friday as well as hosting functions and conferences which operate some evenings.

CatholicCare Café, Martha Kitchen will be staffed by a professional chef and will employ vulnerable young people aged 15 and above as well as refugee’s and asylum seekers whoundertake a traineeship as part of their employment.

The Cook is required to carry out general cleaning, food preparation and Cafe meal preparation duties within the kitchen.

The Cook prepares high quality and high-volume food in a timely manner and in accordance with Food Safety Standards.

The Cook supports the Head Chef to prepare the café meals and function meals.

Along with direct food preparation, the Cook supports the head chef to replenish supplies and take stock inventories.

The Cook supports the Head Chef to ensure all staff comply with regulations and safety standards.

The Cook works in collaboration with the Head Chef to achieve the overarching goals and strategic direction of the Café.

While the Cook is expected to be present during café operating hours, their work schedule is not strictly determined by these hours.

The incumbent commits to working within Work Health and Safety guidelines and Code of Conduct at all times whilst in the employ of the Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle.

Desired Skills and Experience

EXPERIENCE/CRITERIA

• A commitment to the Vision, Mission and Values of our organisation and active engagement in organisational events.
• Experience in a similar fast-paced environment which produces high volume food.
• Demonstrated experience working as a Cook in venues which deliver consistently high-quality high volume food in a timely manner and in accordance with food safety standards.
• Excellent communication skills and interpersonal skills with the ability to engage and display patience and empathy towards the needs of people from vulnerable backgrounds.
• Previous experience working with young people and people from a vulnerable background (Desirable)
• Demonstrated computer literacy with strong administration skills and time management skills.
• Demonstrated experience in ensuring safe food handling procedures are followed and a high level of cleanliness and hygiene of food preparation areas is maintained.
• Flexibility and commitment to working after hours, weekends and public holidays.
• An understanding of culturally aware work practices

QUALIFICATIONS

• NSW Driver Licence.
• A current Working With Children Check for paid employment or willingness to obtain.
• Ability to work in Australia.
• NSW Food Safety Supervisor Course or willingness to obtain (Desirable).

Applications will be reviewed as they are received.

Applications close 11:59pm on Friday 27/11/2026.

Applications for this position will only be considered if submitted through the following platforms: our careers page on our website, mnpeople, Indeed, Seek, or LinkedIn.

Additional Information

The Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle is committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable persons and preventing those in our care from suffering abuse or neglect. It is committed to implementing and maintaining compliance with the NSW Child Safe Standards and the National Catholic Safeguarding Standards and takes a zero-tolerance approach to abuse of children or vulnerable persons.

All who work in the name of the Diocese must comply with the Diocesan Safeguarding Framework Policy and act in accordance with the Diocese’s Code of Conduct which includes the Diocese’s Safeguarding Commitment Statement.Employees are required to undergo a National Police Check and retain a valid NSW Working with Children Check where necessary, in accordance with legislation.