Relief Cook

Who We Are

For more than 130 years, The Salvation Army has served people in need in communities across Canada and Bermuda. Building on our roots as a world-wide Christian church, each year we help more than 2 million people, providing necessities such as food, clothing and shelter. In addition, we support people experiencing unemployment, addiction and family challenges. We continually adapt and innovate to meet emerging needs and live out our mission, vision and values of hope, service, dignity and stewardship. As a faith- and values-based organization, we hire and serve people of all backgrounds and walks of life - there is a place for everyone to belong here.

Mission Statement

The Salvation Army exists to share the love of Jesus Christ, meet human needs and be a transforming influence in the communities of our world.

Job Description:

This is a casual/relief position with no set hours of work. This job posting will run concurrently for internal and external applicants. However, for the first ten (10) calendar days, current employees of York Housing & Support Services that are members of UFCW Local 175 will receive hiring preference.

In this role you will be planning menus and meals according to budget, season, and client feedback.  Preparing and cooking food using various equipment and techniques.  Ensuring food quality, presentation, and hygiene standards.  Managing food provisions, storage, and waste.  Overseeing and coordination kitchen staff, training, and aiding.

Responsibilities

• Develop menus in accordance with policy and procedure and core standards.

• Keep records of all food services related data such as food, freezer and refrigerator temperatures

• Ensure the proper maintenance and usage of a computer system, and proper record keeping of the same in accordance with the Territorial Computer Usage Policy.

• Serve on committees as appropriate

Service

• Prepares, portions, and presents meals and snacks to be served to residents, visitors, and at special events. Adapts standardized recipes and ensures appropriate amounts of food are prepared to meet menu requirements.

• Prepares special food for therapeutic, texture modification (pureed, minced, or dental soft), and special preference diets.

• Portions food to be distributed to dining areas on residential floors, and any special catering functions.

• Wash and sanitize dishes and cookware after each meal.

• Organizes food preparation schedules to meet meal deadlines.

• Labels, dates, stores, and utilizes leftover food. Disposes of all unusable food.

• Checks and records the temperatures of a walk-in and a reach-in refrigerator and a freezer twice daily.

• Turns on equipment, such as steamers, ovens, fans in the morning. Turns off and checks the condition of same at night.

• Bakes desserts, snacks and items for special functions, as assigned.

• Prepares production estimations and quantity requirements, such as defrosting meat, and requisitions for supplies from the storeroom according to menu requirements.

• Ensures that work area is maintained in a clean and orderly state. Changes oil and filters for the fryers as required. Sanitizes and stores knives.

• Receives calls and takes messages for the Business Manager in their absence. Passes information on to appropriate staff, as required, and acts on emergency therapeutic dietary requests.

• Participates in dietary staff and special committee meetings, such as quality assurance, fire safety.

• Also participates in In-Service training sessions.

• Responsible to maintain kitchen facility to York Region Public Health Standards and York Region licensing compliance.

• Ensures compliance with internal audits or inspections to ensure quality, as assigned.

• Good understanding and practice of the facilities policies, procedures and guidelines. Reads distributed communications in order to stay current.

• Attend and participate in meetings as requested.

• Develop a positive working relationship with co-workers, residents, superiors, volunteers and visitors.

• Performs other related duties, as assigned.

Education and Experience Qualifications:

• Completed High School, plus one year specialized course.

• Must be able to lift more than 20 pounds

• 1-3 years of prior related experience, with at least one year of institutional cooking experience.

• Previous experience with people experiencing homelessness (one to three years)

• Must have thorough knowledge and understanding of Women’s issues

• Knowledge and understanding of Mental Health/Addictions

• Thorough knowledge and understanding of and a commitment to anti-racism, anti-oppression and equity.

• Problem solving skills essential. 

• The responsibilities associated with this position demand a high degree of confidentiality

• Excellent oral and written communication

• Ability to work independently as well as part of a team

• Must have good interpersonal/time management skills

• Good knowledge of community resource

Note:  An alternative level of education and experience may be acceptable

 Successful candidate will be required to provide upon hiring:

• Vulnerable Sector Check: an original copy of a current Vulnerable Sector Check (VSC) that is less than six (6) months old is required by your start date, and the results of the check must be acceptable to The Salvation Army in its sole discretion. The cost of the VSC is borne by the employee.

• Food Handlers Certificate: A valid food handlers certification

• Compensation: Please note that this job falls under a collective agreement. The hourly rate for the position is set at $18.49, and wage increments are provided based on collective agreement language.

Compensation:

Placement in the salary range will be based on factors such as market conditions, internal equity, and candidate experience, skills, and qualifications relevant to the role.

The Salvation Army will provide reasonable accommodation upon request. Please email Recruitment.Accommodations@salvationarmy.ca if you have a need for any accommodation and we will be pleased to discuss this with you.