Community Chef

Harvest Home Farmers Market; New York, Cary (NY, NC); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Part time

Job summary

An innovative nonprofit organization is seeking passionate Community Chefs to lead engaging cooking demonstrations and share vital nutrition education at farmers' markets. This role is perfect for individuals dedicated to health, wellness, and food justice, especially in underserved neighborhoods. You will utilize fresh, local produce to craft delicious, plant-based recipes while fostering community involvement in enjoyable educational experiences around food and nutrition. Join this mission-driven team and make a meaningful impact on community health and well-being.

Qualifications

• Strong basic cooking skills, including knife skills and food prep techniques.
• Experience in nutrition, culinary education, or community health preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead interactive cooking demonstrations at assigned market sites.
• Share clear, culturally relevant nutrition information with participants.
• Maintain food safety standards during all demonstrations.

Skills

Basic cooking skills

Public speaking

Interpersonal skills

Nutrition education

Cultural competence

Education

College coursework in nutrition or food studies

Tools

NYC Food Protection Certificate

Job description

Harvest Home Farmers Market (HHFM) - Community Chef Position

Harvest Home Farmers Market (HHFM) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing access to farm-fresh, locally grown produce in low-income communities throughout New York City. We operate 14 seasonal farmers' markets across the Bronx, Upper Manhattan, and Brooklyn, from June through November. Our mission is to empower communities with the tools, resources, and education needed to achieve healthier lifestyles.

Job Overview

We’re seeking passionate and energetic Community Chefs to lead cooking demonstrations and share nutrition education at our farmers' markets. This hands-on role is ideal for individuals interested in health, wellness, and food justice, especially in underserved neighborhoods. You will use fresh, local produce to create delicious, plant-based recipes while engaging the community in fun, educational experiences around food and nutrition.

Responsibilities

1. Lead interactive cooking demonstrations at assigned market sites.
2. Share clear, culturally relevant nutrition information with participants.
3. Maintain food safety standards during all demonstrations.
4. Distribute nutrition education materials to market visitors.
5. Collect and submit tracking/data in an organized and timely manner.
6. Coordinate with HHFM staff to ensure weekly recipe supplies and ingredients.
7. Attend all required team meetings and training sessions, including mandatory pre-season training in June.

Experience & Qualifications

• NYC Food Protection Certificate (or ability to complete online course; $24+ fee).
• Strong basic cooking skills, including knife skills and food prep techniques.
• Experience in nutrition, culinary education, or community health preferred.
• Knowledge of locally grown fruits and vegetables and their seasonal availability.
• Outgoing and approachable with excellent public speaking and interpersonal skills.
• Comfortable working outdoors in various weather conditions.
• Culturally competent and able to work effectively in diverse settings.
• College coursework in nutrition, food studies, or related fields is a plus.
• Multilingual skills are a plus (especially Spanish, French, Creole, Mandarin, Cantonese, Bengali, or Russian).
• Commitment to at least 2 days/week (7 hours/day), with Saturday availability preferred.
• Reliable, punctual, and team-oriented.
• Must be available for mandatory 2-day training (14+ hours) in the second week of June.

Job Details

• Type: Part-time, Temporary
• Pay: $22.00 per hour
• Expected hours: 12–30 per week
• Shift: Morning shift
• Location: In person at New York, NY 10027 (preferred to commute or relocate before starting)

Join us at Harvest Home Farmers Market and contribute to empowering communities through healthy eating and food education.