Relief Community Chef (Casual, Ongoing)

Relief Community Chef (Casual, Ongoing) *New Position 

Location: Sumac Community Food Centre,340 Gerrard E. Toronto, Ontario

Reports to: Director, Sumac Community Food Centre 

Compensation: $34 - $38 per hour, plus vacation pay of 4% paid on eligible earnings

Benefits: Eligibility to participate in the organization’s pension plan, subject to plan requirements

Hours: On call/as-needed, guaranteed minimum of 15 hours per month.

Job Posting Closing Date: June 3, 2026

About us: 

At the heart of Right To Food’s work is the belief that food is a basic right. We bring people together around good food so communities can thrive. With more than 450 partners across the country, we build inclusive, culturally responsive Community Food Centres, share knowledge, create health-focused programs, and advocate for equitable policy change.

At Right To Food, we work on behalf of good food for all. Our collective approach at Right To Food is founded on dignity and respect, equity and empathy. These values are core to our mission and outlined in our Good Food Principles.  Right To Food is strongly committed to equity and inclusion within its community. We welcome applications from members of racialized groups, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, persons of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities and others with the skills and knowledge to productively engage with diverse communities.

We are committed to an equitable and inclusive selection process and work environment, and welcome candidates to speak about how their experience has demonstrated a commitment to Equity, Inclusion, Reconciliation and Anti-Oppression.

About the position:

The Relief Community Chef will provide short-term coverage for the Community Chef during planned or unplanned absences, ensuring continuity of nutritious, culturally inclusive meal service for diverse community members of all ages, identities, and backgrounds. This role requires the ability to step in on short notice and confidently prepare meals using menus and plans created by the Community Chef with the support of volunteers. The Relief Community Chef must have a strong understanding of varied culinary preferences, dietary needs, and food traditions in order to uphold an inclusive and welcoming food environment where all individuals feel respected and supported. While on shift, the Relief Community Chef is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the kitchen, including food preparation, safe use of equipment, and maintaining high standards of kitchen health and safety. The role supports a warm, organized, and community-centred kitchen space that fosters social connection and promotes overall community well-being.

Key Responsibilities:
Oversee community meal programs

• In the absence of the Community Chef, oversee community meal programs that offer delicious and nourishing menus that both engage and reflect the local community and feature fresh, local and seasonal foods.
• Ensure reliability, consistency, and care in community food service, helping the kitchen continue to operate smoothly regardless of staffing changes.
• Preparing and serving meals based on existing menus and recipes created by the Community Chef and volunteers
• Manage a kitchen team to deliver meal services for up to 150 people
• Manage and support a team of volunteers 
• Support community-building efforts by using food as a tool for connection, offering opportunities for participants to share stories, recipes, and experiences around meals.
• Create a welcoming, inclusive and respectful environment in programs where participants feel comfortable
• Step in on short notice to cover Community Chef shifts as needed

Kitchen Management in support of community chef

• Ensure high standard of health and safety in the workspace
• Following established food safety, sanitation, and allergen protocols
• Using kitchen equipment safely and reporting any issues or concerns
• Coordinate and liaise with the Community Chef to ensure standards and best practices are shared and implemented
• Leave the kitchen organized, clean, and ready for ongoing operations

Organizational Support & Collaboration

• Attend staff meetings, trainings, and organizational functions as appropriate
• Role model professional behavior and positive communication with participants, volunteers and partners
• Promote culture of health and safety within our space

Values alignment:

• Align with Right To Food values and contribute to the evolution of our culture, and a work environment that is grounded in Equity, Courage, Relationship-focused and Integrity.

Qualifications & Skills:
Required

• 3+ years of experience with large scale food preparation
• Knowledge of food insecurity and its root causes, and an understanding of its implications for wellbeing
• An understanding of the role that food plays in good health, and an appreciation for food as medicine
• A deep knowledge of food and the diversity of foodways that exist locally and across the world
• A strong understanding of community-based food programs and the power of food in building social connection and community well-being
• Ability to create a welcoming, non-judgmental environment for individuals from all walks of life, ensuring that everyone feels seen and respected
• Demonstrated ability to lead preparation of high quality meals for at least 150 people
• Excellent cooking skills and the ability to create menus featuring foods that are from scratch, culturally relevant, and seasonal
• Experience adapting menus to accommodate dietary restrictions and preferences 
• Experience working with a team that includes a diversity of skill levels
• Align with Right To Food values and contribute to the evolution of our culture, and a work environment that is grounded in Relationship-focused, Integrity, Courage and Equity.
• Experience creating an environment that implements a strengths based, inclusive and equitable lens with a commitment to anti-oppressive/anti-racist practices
• Ability to work sensitively with people of diverse backgrounds and lived experience of poverty and discrimination
• Demonstrated commitment to equity, inclusion, reconciliation and anti-oppressive practice through continuous development, modeling inclusive behaviors, and proactively managing bias
• Ability to be patient, positive and supportive in high pressure moments
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills utilizing an anti-racist/anti-oppressive approach
• Availability & willingness to work some early morning or evenings, the occasional weekend on a regular or as-needed basis
• Possession of a valid Food Handler Certificate

Preferred

• Diverse food industry experience is an asset (eg restaurants, institutional kitchens, catering)
• Experience in running community-based meal programs
• Experience and knowledge of utilizing descalation, conflict resolution and crisis intervention skills

Physical Demands & Work Environment
This role requires the ability to work in a fast-paced commercial kitchen and community-based environment. The Relief Community Chef must be able to stand and walk for extended periods, lift and carry items up to 25–50 lbs, and perform repetitive movements such as bending, reaching, stirring, chopping, and cleaning. 

The work environment includes exposure to heat, steam, kitchen equipment, cleaning products, and varying noise levels. The successful candidate must be comfortable working in a community and kitchen setting, adapting to changing operational needs, and maintaining safe food handling and workplace safety practices at all times. 

Not sure you meet every qualification?
We encourage you to apply. Research shows that women and people from equity-deserving groups are less likely to apply unless they meet every requirement. We are interested in the full range of experience, knowledge, and strengths that candidates may bring to this role.

Why work for us?:
We offer:

• Guaranteed minimum of 15 hours per month, with additional hours based on operational needs.
• 4% vacation pay on eligible earnings.
• Eligibility to participate in the organization’s pension plan, subject to plan requirements.
• Opportunity to contribute to community-based food programs rooted in dignity, health, belonging, and social justice.

How to apply:
To apply, please click here. Please attach your resume and cover letter. In your cover letter, please share what you think makes you an ideal candidate for this role. Only those applicants being considered will be contacted. If you require any accommodations or technical support, please email work@righttofood.ca (please do not email your application to this email). Thank you for your interest in Right To Food.

Right To Food does not use artificial intelligence tools to screen, assess, rank, or select candidates. All applications are reviewed by members of our hiring team.