Relief Chef

The Stop; Toronto; On-site; CAD 29,549 - 42,085; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Balanced quality of life with weekday daytime hours

Mission-driven work environment

Living Wage employer commitment

Job summary

A community food organization in Toronto seeks a Relief Chef responsible for preparing nutritious meals for up to 200 people. The ideal candidate will have at least one year of culinary experience, relevant certifications, and a commitment to community values and inclusivity. Join a supportive team in making a meaningful impact on hunger and inequality. This on-call position offers weekday hours with some flexibility for special events.

Qualifications

• Minimum 1 year in a culinary role with the ability to prepare large volumes of nutritious food.
• Experience mentoring volunteers in food preparation.
• Ability to work efficiently in a busy kitchen environment.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and serve fresh, nutritious meals for up to 200 people per shift.
• Lead, support, and inspire volunteers during food prep, service, and cleanup.
• Maintain kitchen organization and hygiene practices.

Skills

Culinary skills

Leadership

Communication

Time management

Inclusivity in the kitchen

Education

Food Handler’s Certification

CPR/First Aid Certification

Job description

Internal/External Job Posting

Relief Chef

ABOUT THE STOP:

The Stop Community Food Centre is a leading‑edge and nationally respected non‑profit organization that has been providing innovative programs and advocacy to address problems of hunger and inequality for over 40 years (www.thestop.org). The Stop’s mission is to increase access to healthy food in a manner that maintains dignity, builds health and community and challenges inequality.

ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY:

The Stop is looking for a skilled and values‑driven Relief Chef to join our team on an on‑call basis. This is an opportunity to bring your culinary talent and community spirit to an organization with heart.

At The Stop, we prepare healthy, hearty meals from scratch and serve them with dignity and warmth at three vibrant locations. We serve an average of 150 lunches per day – meals that nourish our community and foster connection. Our chefs are supported by dedicated volunteer teams who bring their time, talent, and care into the kitchen every day.

We’re seeking someone who is not only an excellent cook, but who also believes in the power of food to build health, belonging, and community.

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

• Prepare and serve fresh, nutritious meals for up to 200 people per shift, following menu plans and adjusting as needed based on available ingredients
• Lead, support, and inspire volunteers during food prep, service, and cleanup
• Oversee kitchen organization, cleanliness, and shutdown procedures
• Maintain safe food handling, hygiene, and storage practices
• Support meal programming at all Stop sites, including coverage at the Green Barn kitchen when needed
• Ensure service delivery is welcoming, inclusive, and aligned with The Stop’s anti‑discrimination and anti‑harassment policies

WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR:

The ideal candidate will be a talented, community‑minded chef who brings professionalism and heart to the kitchen. You are:

• Experienced: Minimum 1 year in a culinary role, with the ability to prepare large volumes of nutritious food
• Certified: Food Handler’s Certification and CPR/First Aid
• Organized and reliable: You manage time well and run a smooth, efficient kitchen
• A leader: You create a welcoming, respectful kitchen culture and enjoy mentoring volunteers
• A communicator: You can clearly guide, teach, and collaborate
• Values‑driven: You believe in food as a tool for community‑building and social justice
• Inclusive: You work well with people from diverse backgrounds and experiences
• Physically capable: You can lift up to 50 lbs, work on your feet for several hours, and thrive in a busy environment
• Multilingualism: Ability to speak a language relevant to our neighbourhoods is an asset

WHY JOIN US?

• A chance to contribute meaningfully to your community
• A supportive, mission‑driven environment
• Balanced quality of life with weekday daytime hours (with some evening/weekend flexibility for special events)
• We are a Living Wage employer committed to equity, dignity, and inclusion

Salary: $26.00 per hour

Hours: On call (up to 8‑hour shifts: 8:30 am‑4:40 pm M‑F)

Start date: Immediately

TO APPLY:

Please submit your resume and a brief note expressing your interest and availability to https://thestop.bamboohr.com/careers/125.

We encourage applications from candidates who reflect the diversity of our communities. Accommodations are available on request throughout the selection process.