Cook

Stratfordshakespearefestival; Stratford; On-site; CAD 22,775 - 32,438; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Creative environment

Employee assistance program

Ticket offers

Discounts on merchandise

Live theatre atmosphere

Job summary

The Stratford Festival in Stratford, Ontario is hiring a Cook for its seasonal kitchen operations, supporting Greenroom and event catering. This on-site role works with the Executive Chef to prepare and plate meals, manage station sanitation and stock, and ensure cost controls.

Applicants should have a high school diploma and 2–4 years in culinary roles; English proficiency, reliability and teamwork are essential. Flexible hours including evenings, weekends and holidays are required.

Qualifications

• High school diploma (grade 12) or equivalent.
• 2 to 4 years of related experience.
• Ability to understand and follow directions from others.
• Flexible availability to work a variety of operating hours.
• Reliable transportation to and from work.
• Proficiency in English: verbal and written communication.
• Any other culinary related diplomas or certificates considered an asset.
• Organizational skills: create structure and optimally use resources to achieve results and ensure productivity.
• Teamwork: readily work with others towards a shared goal, actively support teammates and recognize everyone’s contributions.
• Time Management: efficiently allocate and use time to meet goals and deadlines, prioritize tasks as necessary.

Responsibilities

• Communicate with supervisors at production meetings regarding special events, daily menus and changes to standards/procedures.
• Monitor catering clipboards; being aware of upcoming events.
• Provide internal and external catering services as required, including transportation of food.
• Process raw ingredients for use in upcoming events/menus, using techniques such as chopping, slicing, paring, peeling, blanching, marinating, braising, poaching, boiling, sautéing, frying, and roasting.
• Cook food orders as needed within the appropriate time frame.
• Monitor food items to ensure consistency, proper portioning, appropriate temperatures and correct ingredients.
• Communicate with Greenroom guests, keying orders into the POS system and handling payments in the Greenroom at times when the Greenroom Host is unavailable.
• Collect dishes in guest areas and wash dishes/kitchen wares when the Kitchen Steward is unavailable.
• Maintain a safe and sanitary work environment, cleaning the kitchen and dining areas throughout the shift, and replenishing stock as necessary.
• Follow all organizational and governmental health/safety standards at all times.
• Maintain a clean and tidy appearance at all times, adhering to established uniform standards.
• Clean and shut down equipment at the appropriate time.
• Organize storage areas and assist with inventory counting as needed.
• Adhere to the Stratford Festival Health & Safety Commitment and Procedures, and ensure that safe work practices and policies are supported and enforced within the reporting structure.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

English proficiency

Time management

Teamwork

Organizational skills

Flexibility

Reliability

Education

High school diploma

Culinary diplomas/assets considered

Job description

Festival, 55 Queen St, Stratford, Ontario, Canada

Job Description

Based in Stratford, Ontario, the Stratford Festival is one of the world’s foremost repertory theatre companies. It operates year‑round, presenting a season of about a dozen plays each year between the months of April and November, a rich stream of digital content and hundreds of events designed to deepen understanding of the plays. For every person a theatregoer sees on our stages, we have seven people working behind the scenes, some of the world’s most dedicated and experienced arts workers.

The Stratford Festival is committed to ongoing work to support equity, inclusion, anti‑racism and anti‑oppression in all areas of our work. These areas include play selection, casting, marketing and public relations efforts, education programs, production, design, recruitment of staff and volunteers, and the composition of the Board of Directors.

Why You Should Apply:

• Creative work environment
• Employee Assistance Program to encourage work‑life balance and strong mental health
• Complimentary & discounted ticket offers and events
• Employee discounts on merchandise and event space
• Being a part of the magic of live theatre!

The Cook is responsible for the food production, sanitation, and organization associated with its designated station. (I.e., Greenroom Kitchen, TPT Kitchen, Marquee Kitchen). The Cook will prepare food items for the Staff Greenroom, Festival Theatre Cafés, Internal and External Catering Events. The Cook works in collaboration with the Executive Chef and Sous Chefs to supervise and coach other employees to achieve high standards, effective production and ensure food costs are in line with the department’s budget.

Responsibilities:

• Communicate with supervisors at production meetings regarding special events, daily menus and changes to standards/procedures.
• Monitor catering clipboards; being aware of upcoming events.
• Provide internal and external catering services as required, including transportation of food.
• Process raw ingredients for use in upcoming events/menus, using techniques such as chopping, slicing, paring, peeling, blanching, marinating, braising, poaching, boiling, sautéing, frying, and roasting.
• Cook food orders as needed within the appropriate time frame.
• Monitor food items to ensure consistency, proper portioning, appropriate temperatures and correct ingredients.
• Communicate with Greenroom guests, keying orders into the POS system and handling payments in the Greenroom at times when the Greenroom Host is unavailable.
• Collect dishes in guest areas and wash dishes/kitchen wares when the Kitchen Steward is unavailable.
• Maintain a safe and sanitary work environment, cleaning the kitchen and dining areas throughout the shift, and replenishing stock as necessary.
• Follow all organizational and governmental health/safety standards at all times.
• Maintain a clean and tidy appearance at all times, adhering to established uniform standards.
• Clean and shut down equipment at the appropriate time.
• Organize storage areas and assist with inventory counting as needed.
• Adhere to the Stratford Festival Health & Safety Commitment and Procedures, and ensure that safe work practices and policies are supported and enforced within the reporting structure.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• High school diploma (grade 12) or equivalent.
• 2 to 4 years of related experience.
• Ability to understand and follow directions from others.
• Flexible availability to work a variety of operating hours.
• Reliable transportation to and from work.
• Proficiency in English: verbal and written communication.
• Any other culinary related diplomas or certificates considered an asset.
• Organizational skills: create structure and optimally use resources to achieve results and ensure productivity.
• Teamwork: readily work with others towards a shared goal, actively support teammates and recognize everyone’s contributions.
• Time Management: efficiently allocate and use time to meet goals and deadlines, prioritize tasks as necessary.

This seasonal posting is for an existing vacancy located in Stratford, Ontario and will begin as soon as possible. This position requires the candidate to work onsite. Candidates are required to work flexible hours including evenings, weekends and holidays.

Job Type: Seasonal

Hourly Rate: $20.04

Shared Values:

• Inclusion: contribute to an environment where everyone is welcome, valued and respected; consistently demonstrate an open‑mindedness and intellectual curiosity that promote and celebrate the diversity of perspectives.
• Innovation: put experience and knowledge into creative problem‑solving and the continuous improvement of the organization.
• Rigor: show integrity in behaviour, attention to detail in work and commitment to excellence and professional evolution.
• Caring: be empathetic, understanding and attentive to others.
• Connection: establish and maintain trusting relationships that are respectful and constructive.

Who Should Apply:

We welcome applicants of every identity, and encourage applications from Indigenous, Black, People of Colour, Deaf, disabled and 2SLGBTQ+ folks. We are committed to accommodating people with disabilities throughout the recruitment process and beyond. If you require accommodation (including, but not limited to, an accessible interview site, alternative format documents, ASL Interpreter or Assistive Technology) during the recruitment and selection process, please let our recruitment team know.

No candidate will meet every desired qualification. If your experience looks a little different from what we've identified and you think you can bring value to the role, we’d love to learn more about you!

If you would like to contribute your own remarkable talents to North America’s largest not‑for‑profit theatre, we’d like to hear from you.