On-Call Community Chef

Applytojobs; Ottawa; On-site; Part time

Job summary

A community hub in Ottawa is seeking an On-Call Community Chef to prepare nutritious meals for 100-150 Neighbours, leading a team of volunteers. The role requires a commitment to food security, a Safe Food Handlers certificate, and the ability to work with diverse groups. Responsibilities include menu planning, overseeing meal preparation, and ensuring health and safety in the kitchen. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with interviews starting in January 2026.

Qualifications

• 3 years of experience with large-scale food preparation.
• Ability to inspire and motivate others.
• Understanding of food security issues.

Responsibilities

• Plan menus for meal programs.
• Lead preparation of 100-150 meals for service.
• Support and oversee kitchen volunteers.

Skills

Large-scale food preparation

Meal planning

Interpersonal communication

Health and safety oversight

Nutritional knowledge

Tools

Safety Food Handlers certificate

Job description

This is a relief on call position so there are no guaranteed hours outside of training. Hours of operation are during the daytime

Parkdale Food Centre is a community hub located in Ottawa’s Hintonburg neighbourhood. All the programming we do is guided by our strong belief that food is a human right. We use food as a tool to connect with others, and nurturing these connections in different ways contributes positively to the overall wellness of our community.

The On-Call Community Chef will fill in when our regular staff are not available. The core responsibilities of this position are to lead the preparation of nutritious and delicious meals (lunch) for our 100-150 of our Neighbours, with a group of 4-5 volunteers. The On-Call Community Chef will help ensure a positive and healthy environment while balancing the needs of Neighbours and volunteers coming from a diversity of backgrounds and with various levels of experience.

Duties and responsibilities

1. Plan menus for meal programs that reflect our commitment to healthy food.
2. Lead the preparation of 100-150 meals for same day service
3. Support and oversee staff (dishwasher) and kitchen volunteers
4. Provide basic training and instruction to volunteers as needed
5. Oversee health and safety in the kitchen

PFC team member responsibilities

1. Attend any relevant training.
2. Role model professional behavior and positive communication with participants, volunteers and partners
3. Promote culture of health and safety within our space

Qualifications & Experience

• 3 years of experience with large-scale food preparation.
• Demonstrated ability to plan and prepare healthy, delicious meals for 100-150 people.
• Safe Food Handlers certificate.
• Basic understanding of nutrition.
• Patient with a good sense of humor and an ability to inspire and motivate others.
• The ability to lift 50 lbs and stand for long periods of time.
• Commitment to and knowledge of food security issues, knowledge of nutrition
• Ability to work sensitively with people of diverse backgrounds who experience poverty/discrimination
• Experience working with volunteers is an asset.
• Experience with community/social services sector through work or volunteer experience an asset

Applications will be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis in order to fill a pool. Interviews will begin in January 2026.