Cook - Casual

Employment Type: Casual
Schedule: As required Monday to Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Reporting to: Food Services Supervisor
City: Saskatoon
Number of Positions to Fill: 2
RFR #: 1242

Are you looking for an opportunity to directly impact the lives of underserved communities? Well, this is your chance You won't just be preparing food, you'll be using your culinary talents to support and nourish our community participants with wholesome meals. There is more Would you like to work with a dedicated team in a collaborative environment where you can truly make a difference in people's lives? If yes, we invite you to join our team

As a member of the Food Services team, the Cook plays a vital role in various aspects of the kitchen. In supporting meal service, the Cook plans, prepares and cooks food to ensure the highest quality meals and experience for guests. Other duties of the Cook include the 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 support The Mustard Seed's mission and values, and create a space of belonging, growth, and wellbeing for volunteers, people accessing services, and staff members.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Prepare and serve daily meals during scheduled shift

• Manage the preparation, portioning, service, and storage of meals at designated locations

• Maintain cleanliness of food areas and kitchen safety, in accordance with building code standards

• Comply with all Saskatchewan Health Authority standards, legislation and bylaws to ensure required food safe practices are followed when receiving (by purchase or donation), storing and handling (preparing and serving) food

• Safely transport food from our housing location to the shelter

• Participate in monthly menu planning while maintaining flexibility to incorporate donations as possible in order to ensure wise stewardship of budget

• Maintain specific records including meal plans and any changes, quantities, daily notes

• Work with Volunteer Services to build a rewarding and meaningful volunteer experience for those helping in the kitchen, including staff and volunteers

• Ensure that volunteers in the kitchen treat all community participants with dignity and care, consistent with the values of The Mustard Seed

• Train and mentor those helping in the kitchen such as staff and volunteers on cooking, food handling, safety and interpersonal skills related to working in the kitchen/with guests.

• Understand and communicate the root causes of poverty and poverty alleviation to those helping in the kitchen

• Build relationships, contribute to and promote a climate of cooperation, respect, gratitude, safety and mutual support with and among supervisors, co-workers, volunteers, donors and community participants

• Maintain a high level of professionalism and adhere to all policies and procedures including but not limited to Health & Safety and HR policies and procedures

• Complete required training and attend and contribute to team meetings and other events

• Other duties may be assigned

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

• Some experience working in food services including food preparation and meal planning

• Valid Food Safety Certification or working towards it

• Valid First Aid Certification or training can be provided

• Understanding of poverty issues within the inner-city and willingness to continue to learn, particularly about food insecurity

• Flexible spirit to be able to adapt to changing situations and solve problems creatively

• Demonstrated compassion and empathy towards clients with addictions, mental
illness, physical disabilities, behavioral issues, and/or medical issues

• Cultural sensitivity and respect for client individuality and self determination

• A broad knowledge of and experience working with Indigenous communities is an asset

• 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

• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Programs (i.e., Word, Outlook, Excel) and ability to learn new software programs

• Leadership skills: able to support and train staff and volunteers

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Fast-paced work environment

• Moderate to significant mental effort including the ability to quickly solve problems pertaining to the Meal Program to meet deadlines, creative use of food donations, engaging volunteers and community participants

• Moderate to significant physical effort including regular lifting (up to 50lbs), standing for extended periods of time, walking, climbing stairs, pushing carts

• Low possibility of being exposed to infectious waste, diseases and conditions

• Employees are to be aware that many of our clients may experience difficulties or impairment at times, which could result in them uttering threats, discriminatory statements, and other insults at your person. This may be a raised voice, or in seeing unpredictable behavior up to and including the possibility of them becoming aggressive
o Training on how to respond is provided, but this is to be considered typical working conditions. Many of our clients are unaware of the impact of these comments.

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 agree to respect and not detract from The Mustard Seed's Employment Values during their employment at The Mustard Seed.

• Must have legal authorization to work in Canada on a full-time basis for anyone other than current employer

NOTE

• Your privacy is important to us. The information we collect is used solely for consideration for employment.

• We thank all candidates for their interest, however, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. The Mustard Seed reserves the right to amend job advertisements. No phone calls please.

• Please visit our careers page to see more job opportunities.