Relief Chef

The Stop; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 30,000 - 41,000; Full time

Job summary

The Stop is seeking a relief chef to work on an on-call basis, preparing nutritious meals for up to 200 people per shift and guiding volunteer teams across three locations.

You will ensure kitchen organization, safety, and hygienic practices while supporting Stop programs and maintaining an inclusive, welcoming service approach. Immediate start available.

Qualifications

• Minimum 1 year in a culinary role with ability to prepare large volumes of nutritious food.
• Food Handler's Certification and CPR/First Aid required.
• Organized, reliable and capable of mentoring volunteers.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and serve meals for up to 200 people per shift following menus.
• Lead and support 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 Green Barn as needed.
• Ensure welcoming, inclusive service aligned with Stop policies.

Skills

Culinary experience

Leadership

Communication

Mentoring volunteers

Team collaboration

Inclusivity

Physical stamina

Education

Food Handler's Certification

CPR/First Aid

Job description

Internal/External Job Posting

Relief Chef

Bargaining unit position

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). 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 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: 8:30am-4:40pm M-F,)

Start date: Immediately

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