Skills Instructor Chef

Salary Rate: $45,353– Check out the YMCA’s total compensation package!

Location: 55 John Street Metro Hall

Work Hours: 37.5 hours per week

Employment Type: Contract Full Time Salaried-6 months

Number of Vacancies: 1

Anticipated Start Date: November 1, 2024

Deadline to Apply: October 31, 2024 at 5 pm

Be the Spark! Join our Employment & Community team, where you will personally be a part of making our community a better place to live!

The Skills Instructor Chef is a key part of the training program team, providing leadership and skills development to program members in culinary arts. The position also assists the team in preparing and providing a number of meals to internal and external partners, including Meals on Wheels, Second Harvest and YMCA trainings and events.

In this role, you will:

• Manage the operational aspects of the Basic Culinary Skills Training Program, including teaching and supervising program members; produce high volumes of food for partner agencies; and ensure the safe and efficient operation of the kitchen in accordance with workplace safety and Toronto Public Health guidelines.
• Instruct and supervise program members to produce approximately 400 meals per day.
• Provide food service worker and culinary skills instruction in both group and individual settings; provide ongoing evaluation and feedback.
• Deliver culinary skills instruction by demonstrating and monitoring hands-on cooking techniques in the kitchen, as well as through food labs in a classroom setting.
• Develop an 18-day rotating menu consisting of Soups, Salads, Vegetables, Starches, Proteins, and Desserts for each day that reflects classical dishes, contemporary trends, and a variety of cultural cuisines.
• Write recipes for each menu item that incorporate hard-skills development, including culinary terminology, proper use of kitchen equipment, and cooking techniques, along with soft-skills development, including teamwork, organization, and time management.
• Purchase and coordinate appropriate storage of foodstuffs, inventory, and cost control.
• Liaise with partner agencies to ensure food production requirements are met and quality standards are upheld.
• Work closely with the Job Developer to identify suitable placements and job opportunities for training program members.
• Provide guidance and leadership to Café and Catering staff supervising training program members in those sections of the kitchen; Act as senior staff and take responsibility for all operations at Metro Hall in the absence of the “Team Lead” and “Director”.
• Administer the program for all current and new training members, including initial intake, skills assessment, and regular case note writing.
• Provide documentation in accordance with YMCA and funder's standards; handle confidential data in accordance with YMCA and funder's standards. Participate in the compilation of internal and external reports and statistical data.
• Ensure the overall safety of all program members by monitoring the kitchen; manage crisis situations and facilitate conflict resolution and de-escalation; circulate through all kitchen areas to support the total program delivered.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
  
  

You bring:

• Completion of Red Seal Certification (Cook) or equivalent experience considered an asset.
• Completion of Toronto Safe Food Handlers Certification (current).
• 2-3 years’ experience in small and large quantity food preparation or in a professional kitchen.
• Experience in restaurants, catering companies, and commercial kitchens considered an asset.
• Previous experience in culinary skills instruction/teaching preferred.
• Knowledge of ingredients and preparation methods for a wide range of cultural cuisines.
• Certification in WHMIS and First Aid considered an asset.
• Basic computer proficiency in Word and Excel.
• Well-developed interpersonal and relationship-building skills; ability to establish rapport and excellent communication with members, including participants, staff, and volunteers; excellent written communication skills.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and building a sense of belonging
  
  

What you need to succeed:

• Commitment to the YMCA’s Mission, Vision and Values
• Focus on the health, safety and wellbeing of all children, youth, and vulnerable people in YMCA programs including understanding legal and moral obligations related to reporting suspected child abuse to Child Protection Services
• YMCA Competencies: Accountable, Relationship-Builder, Improvement-Orientated, Team Player & Leader, Equity and Wellbeing Promoter
  
  

Why work for the YMCA?

The YMCA of Greater Toronto is a charity that ignites the potential in people, helping them grow, lead, and give back to their communities. We are committed to helping our employees reach their full potential and are recognized as a great place to work. We offer meaningful jobs and the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of individuals and the health of our communities. See what you can expect from the YMCA here.

Joining the Y means contributing to over 165 years of providing opportunities for people to shine through programs and services like health and fitness, licensed child care, camps, employment and immigrant services, education and training, and services for youth, families, and seniors. Learn more in our 2020–2025 strategic plan, Ignite the Light, which outlines how we are focused on boosting well-being and promoting equity across the Greater Toronto Area.

The YMCA of Greater Toronto is committed to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging. We strive to remove barriers to employment and recognize that diverse staff who reflect the communities we work in enrich the experiences of our participants and our team. As an equal opportunity employer, we invite applications from all qualified candidates including racialized people/people of colour, Indigenous Peoples, disabled people/people with disabilities and members of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities.

If we can make the recruitment process more accessible for you, please let us know when we reach out about a job opportunity so we can work with you to accommodate your needs.

In keeping with our commitment to safety and child protection, job offers are contingent on the successful completion of a Police Records Check. Within the first four months and every three years thereafter, a Vulnerable Police Records Check is required. Learn more about these checks here.

The YMCA only considers applicants who are legally entitled to work in Canada. We thank all applicants for their interest, however, due to the volume of applications we receive, we can only contact candidates who are selected for an interview.

Check out the next steps in our recruitment process and see what others are saying about working at the YMCA.