Kitchen Coordinator

The Kitchen Coordinator is expected to work onsite 5 days per week from 9:00am - 5:00pm

POSITION SUMMARY

The Kitchen Coordinator is responsible for the day-to-day coordination and operation of Stella’s Place kitchen and food programming. Working collaboratively with peer support workers and program staff, the Kitchen Coordinator helps create a welcoming, inclusive, and supportive environment where young adults can access nutritious food and participate in cooking and food-related programming.

The Kitchen Coordinator is responsible for food preparation, snack and menu planning, food procurement, inventory management, food safety, kitchen organization, and the preparation and distribution of food donations for participants. The role works closely with peer support workers, who bring mental health and lived-experience expertise to cooking and food programming. The Kitchen Coordinator and will also lead kitchen programs that teach young adults how to prepare nutritious food on a budget through hands-on cooking demonstrations, tips, techniques, recipes and meal-preparation strategies.

The successful candidate will bring strong food preparation and organizational skills, creativity, and a commitment to working in a trauma-informed, anti-oppressive, and participant-centered environment.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Kitchen and Food Operations

• Coordinate the day-to-day operation of the Stella’s Place kitchen, ensuring that the space is clean, safe, welcoming, and well organized.
• Maintain high standards of food safety, food handling, sanitation, and kitchen hygiene in accordance with Toronto Public Health requirements and organizational policies.
• Receive, sort, clean, organize, and appropriately store food received from donors, grocery stores, food vendors, and community food partners.
• Manage food inventory and monitor supplies to ensure appropriate stock levels and minimize food waste.
• Develop snack plans, recipes, menus, and a seasonal or monthly snack calendar that reflects program needs and available resources.
• Develop shopping lists and coordinate food purchases based on planned programming and available inventory.
• Prepare and set up snacks and food for programs, workshops, and other activities.
• Prepare food packages for participants to take home and ensure food is appropriately packaged, labelled, stored, and made available through the Café space.
• Coordinate the timely pick-up of food from grocery stores, food vendors, donors, and community food partners, including organizations such as Second Harvest.
• Ensure food is stored and handled appropriately to maintain quality and safety.
• Identify opportunities to reduce food waste and make effective use of donated food and available resources.

Program Collaboration

• Collaborate with peer support workers and program staff in planning and delivering cooking and food-related programming.
• Work with peer support workers to incorporate mental health, wellness, and lived-experience perspectives into cooking and food programming.
• Support a welcoming and inclusive kitchen environment where participants feel comfortable engaging in food-related activities.
• Contribute ideas and creative approaches to enhance food programming and participant engagement.
• Communicate effectively with staff regarding kitchen needs, program requirements, food supplies, and emerging concerns.
• Collaborate with research and development team staff as required, to support food-related events for donors and program participants.

Health, Safety and Compliance

• Consistently follow food safety, sanitation, infection prevention, and workplace health and safety practices.
• Maintain required food safety certification and ensure food preparation and handling practices meet or exceed applicable public health standards.
• Report equipment, food safety, maintenance, or other kitchen concerns promptly to the appropriate manager.
• Ensure kitchen equipment and supplies are used safely and appropriately.
• Manage and create confidential documentation in client databases, as needed.

Professional Development and Other Duties

• Participate in relevant training, professional development, team meetings, and learning opportunities.
• Contribute to a culture of continuous learning, collaboration, equity, and inclusion.
• Perform other duties as required.

CORE COMPETENCIES

Food Safety and Kitchen Operations

• Strong knowledge of food preparation, food handling, sanitation, and kitchen safety.
• Ability to maintain a clean, organized, and safe kitchen environment.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.

Collaboration and Teamwork

• Excellent interpersonal and teamwork skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with peer support workers, program staff, volunteers, participants, donors, and community partners.
• Ability to communicate clearly and respectfully with individuals from diverse backgrounds.

Creativity and Initiative

• Creative approach to menu planning, snack preparation, and food programming.
• Ability to work independently, prioritize tasks, and adapt to changing program needs.
• Resourceful approach to working with donated food and available resources.

Trauma-Informed and Anti-Oppressive Practice

• Commitment to working within a trauma-informed, anti-oppressive, culturally responsive, and participant-centered approach.
• Demonstrated ability to create a welcoming and respectful environment for young adults with diverse experiences and needs.
• Experience working with vulnerable or underserved populations is an asset.

Alignment with Stella’s Place

• Demonstrated ability to work effectively within the Stella’s Place environment and contribute to its mission, vision, and values.
• Commitment to creating an inclusive environment that respects participant choice, dignity, autonomy, and lived experience.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• 2 years of experience working as a cook, kitchen coordinator, food program worker, or in a community kitchen or related setting.
• Food Handler Certification or equivalent food safety certification.
• Experience with menu planning, recipe development, and food inventory management.
• Experience preparing food for groups or community-based programs.
• Experience working with vulnerable, underserved, or diverse populations is an asset.
• Experience working in a mental health, social services, community, or non-profit environment is an asset.
• Experience as a group facilitator.
• Strong interpersonal, organizational, and teamwork skills.
• Ability to lift, carry, and safely handle food supplies and kitchen equipment as required.
• Experience working alongside people with lived experience of mental health challenges is an asset.

WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

The Kitchen Coordinator works collaboratively with:

• Peer Support Workers
• Program and Clinical Staff
• Volunteers and participants
• Management
• Food donors, vendors, and community partners
• Other Stella’s Place staff as required