Cook - Full Time - Sunday to Thursday 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

at  The Mustard Seed Society

As a member of the Food Services team, the Cook is responsible for supporting meal service at Shelter locations. Duties include the preparation, storage, distribution, and cleanup of meal service. Recognizing that healthy community and relationships are integral to poverty alleviation, the Cook will not only support the production of nutritionally adequate meals, but also to bring about The Mustard Seed’s mission and values, and create a space of belonging, growth, and wellbeing for volunteers, people accessing services, and staff members.
Employment Type: Full time
Schedule: Sunday to Thursday, 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Reporting to: Head Chef
City: Edmonton
Number of Positions to Fill: 1

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

• Experience working in food services—food preparation and meal planning skills
• Flexible spirit: able to adapt to changing situations and solve problems creatively
• Understanding of poverty issues within the inner-city and willingness to continue to learn about issues, particularly those pertaining to food.
• Strong interpersonal skills: able to work with a variety of groups and personality types
• Ability to work independently and be a self-starter
• Strong organizational and communication skills
• Strong leadership skills: able to support and train staff, volunteers, and community participants
• Valid First Aid Certification
• Valid Food Safety Certification

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• An Employment Background Check is required for all positions at The Mustard Seed
• As The Mustard Seed is a Christian ministry, we require our employees to be in agreement and sign our statement of faith
• Must have legal authorization to work in Canada on a full-time basis for anyone other than current employer
• A valid driver’s license, driver’s abstract and access to a reliable vehicle required
  This position requires the use of a personal vehicle for company use. The candidate must have a valid driver’s licence and maintain $2M Vehicle Liability insurance on the vehicle being used.
  This position requires the use of a company vehicle. Candidate must have and maintain valid driver’s licence and will need to consent to a driver’s abstract request.

• Fulfill the mission of The Mustard Seed’s ministry and maintain a high level of professionalism, respect and gratitude with all staff, donors, volunteers, community participants and visitors
• Participate in monthly menu planning
• Communicate ingredient needs to the Chef
• Manage the preparation, portioning, service, and storage of meals at designated location
• Be flexible and incorporate food donations into meal plans as much as possible in order to ensure wise stewardship of budget
• Notify Chef of donations received
• Work with Volunteer Services to build a rewarding and meaningful volunteer experience for those helping in the kitchen, including staff, volunteers and community participants
• Understand and communicate the root causes of poverty and poverty alleviation to those helping in the kitchen
• Seek creative ways of including community participants in kitchen tasks and activities; cultivate a culture of hospitality
• Ensure that volunteers treat all community participants with dignity and care consistent with the values of The Mustard Seed when in the kitchen
• In accordance with Alberta Health Standards, ensure food safe practices are followed when receiving food (both donations and orders), storing food, and handling (preparing and serving) food
• Train and mentor those helping in the kitchen—staff, volunteers, and community participants— on cooking skills, interpersonal skills, and food handling and safety
• Foster meaningful relationships with supervisors, co-workers, volunteers and community participants
• Maintain food areas’ cleanliness and kitchen safety to building code standards
• Communicate with Chef any incoming donations to process
• Maintain specific records including meal plans and any changes, quantities, daily notes
• Participate in and contribute to team meetings, trainings, and any other event scheduled by supervisor
• Facilitate volunteers around food handling and safety
• Foster, develop and maintain cooperative relationships with donors and volunteers
• Participate in all staff training (e.g. First Aid, SafeTALK, Nonviolence) and attend monthly general meetings and support meetings with supervisor
• Other duties and sites may be assigned when require