Cook , YWCA Davenport

YWCA Toronto; Toronto; On-site; CAD 46,000; Full time

Job summary

A renowned women's shelter organization in Toronto seeks a full-time Cook to prepare and serve meals for a diverse and vulnerable community. The role requires experience in food handling, the ability to adapt to a fast-paced environment, and sensitivity towards individuals with complex needs. The position offers comprehensive benefits and a supportive workplace. Candidates must have a high school diploma, food handler certification, and experience in culturally diverse meal preparation.

Benefits

Comprehensive Medical, Vision, and Dental Coverage

Life Insurance and Long-Term Disability Benefit

Multi-Sector Pension Plan

20 Vacation Days and Sick Leave

Child Care Benefits and Financial Assistance for Professional Development

Qualifications

• 1 to 3 years’ experience in food handling and food preparation.
• Understanding of barriers faced by homeless individuals.
• Naloxone training is an asset.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and serve meals, snacks, and bag lunches.
• Assist with planning meals under the food services coordinator's direction.
• Ensure health and safety guidelines are followed.

Skills

Food handling experience

Ability to cook culturally diverse meals

Fast-paced environment adaptability

Interpersonal skills with diverse populations

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Food Handler Certification

WHMIS training

Job description

Employment Type: Full-Time, Permanent

Work Hours: 35 hours per week (12:00 pm to 8:00pm, Tuesday to Saturday)

Salary: $45,679 per annum (L2), plus comprehensive benefits

Location: 348 Davenport Road Toronto, ON, M5R 1K6

Internal Application Deadline: Monday, January 5, 2026

External Application Deadline: Wednesday, January 7, 2026

JOIN OUR TEAM

YWCA Toronto strives to uphold anti-discrimination practices and anti-oppression principles to ensure that the rights of all individuals are respected and protected. We work to promote a climate that is welcoming of all women and individuals who identify as Trans, intersex, non-binary, agender, and/or Two-Spirit. We encourage applications from women and gender diverse people from all races, ethnic origins, religions, abilities and sexual orientations.

The Cook is responsible for preparing and serving nutritionally balanced meals, cleaning the kitchen, serving area and cafeteria. This position is also responsible for assisting the Food Services Co-ordinator in the planning of meals and snacks in a multi service residential and shelter setting.

ABOUT YWCA TORONTO – YWCA DAVENPORT

YWCA Davenport provides up to 80 emergency shelter beds to young women and gender-diverse people (16 – 24 years of age) and adult women and gender-diverse people (25 and older) and is staffed 24 hours a day. This pet friendly shelter is funded by the City of Toronto and adheres to Toronto Shelter Standards.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Prepares and serves meals, snacks and bag lunches in a cafeteria setting;
• Prepares for the following day's meals;
• Under the direction of the food services co-ordinator assists in the planning and preparation of meals as required by Toronto shelter standards;
• Ensures that the health and safety guidelines are followed in accordance with the policies and procedures of YWCA Toronto;
• Follows safety guidelines in food preparation in accordance with the Toronto shelter standards;
• Cleans food preparation and serving areas, ensuring that all health regulations are met;
• Assists with the delivery and storage of food and supplies used in all meal preparation.

QUALIFICATIONS

• High school diploma or equivalent (Cases for Equivalency will be considered);
• Food Handler Certification and nutrition training;
• WHMIS training required;
• 1 to 3 years’ experience in food handling and food preparation;
• Experience in cooking culturally diverse meals in a large residential setting;
• Demonstrated ability to work in a fast-paced environment with competing demands;
• Ability to interact with a diverse community of women and gender diverse people with complex needs, many of whom are living with mental health challenges and active substance use;
• Understanding of the barriers/obstacles that homeless women and gender diverse people face;
• Ability to maintain a positive approach and a professional manner at all times;
• Completed Toronto Shelter Standards training an asset;
• Knowledge of second language an asset;
• Naloxone training is an asset.

Note

May be required to provide stand by for sick or emergency relief.

What we offer

• Comprehensive Medical, Vision, and Dental Coverage
• Life Insurance and Long-Term Disability Benefit
• Multi-Sector Pension Plan: Employer’s contribution of 5.75% and Employee Contribution of 3.25%
• Time off: Starts with 20 Vacation Days, 1.5 Days Per Month Sick Leave, 12 Paid Holidays, Health Promotional Days and 4 Float Days
• Other Benefits: Child Care Benefits, Maternity/Parental Leave Supplementary Employment Benefits, Educational/Sabbatical Leave, and Financial Assistance for Professional Development

Please note: A vulnerable sector police reference check is required by the successful candidate prior to hiring. YWCA Toronto is a unionized workplace. Staff are represented by CUPE Local 2189. This position is within the Bargaining Unit. Please indicate on your cover letter if you are an internal candidate. For internal applicants this position is not secondable.

Posting Date

December 23, 2025

YWCA Toronto transforms lives. As the city’s largest multi-service women’s organization, we help women and gender diverse people escape violence, move out of poverty and access safe, affordable housing.

We work tenaciously to break down barriers that hold women and gender diverse people back from achieving equality.

Vaccination Policy: In accordance with YWCA Toronto’s COVID-19 Vaccination Policy, all YWCA Toronto employees, students and volunteers are strongly encouraged to obtain all COVID-19 vaccinations and booster doses as recommended by Toronto Public Health

YWCA Toronto promotes the principles of anti-oppression and adheres to the tenets of the Ontario Human Rights Code. We encourage applications from women and gender diverse people of all races, ethnic origins, religions, abilities and sexual orientations.

YWCA Toronto provides accommodation during all parts of the hiring process, upon request, to applicants with disabilities. If contacted, please advise us if you require any accommodation. While we thank all candidates for their interest, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

YWCA Toronto is a Scent-Sensitive Workplace.