Relief Cook

INTERNAL/EXTERNAL

Job Title: Relief Cook

Position Type: Bargaining Unit, Permanent, Relief

Number of Positions: 1-4

Reason for Posting: Existing Vacancy

Rate: $22.65

Vacation: 8% Vacation Pay

Hours: On-call, as needed, weekend, morning, and afternoon shifts

Supervisor: Chef Manager, Food Services

Posting Date: September 15, 2026

Application Deadline: Until filled

Location: 145 Queen St. E and 40 Oak St. and other FV locations

Why Fred Victor?

For 130 years, Fred Victor has been a leader in helping people rebuild their lives in Toronto. Our mission is to improve the health, income and housing stability of people experiencing poverty and homelessness. We arecommitted to ending homelessness, one person at a time.

The Community Services (CS) department at Fred Victor is a multi-service, multi-site structure that encompasses the 40 Oak Community HUB and community programs, Employment and Training Services, Drop-Ins, Keep Cool Programs, and Food Services. Additionally, it operates a social purpose enterprise with catering services and spearheads a significant Peer Training Initiative that prioritizes the involvement of individuals with lived experience.

Fred’s Kitchen is deeply committed to addressing food security while providing opportunities for skills development, training, and employment placements within the food services sector. We focus on empowering individuals with lived experience to gain valuable skills and access employment opportunities in the culinary and hospitality fields. Through our program, participants are equipped with the tools and support needed to succeed in the food services industry while contributing to our mission of ensuring access to nutritious meals and fostering community well-being.

Under the direction of the Chef Manager, the Relief Cook will provide Relief support to Fred Victor’s Community Meal Program as well as Fred’s Kitchen Catering service. Relief Cook will support with meal preparation and cooking of good quality meals in accordance with pre-planned menus designed to meet nutritional needs. They will adhere to Fred Victor Food Services quality standards and Food Safety Guidelines. They may also support other kitchen duties including dishwashing, sanitization and cleaning, inventory management, and receiving deliveries. The Relief Cook will collaborate closely with the Senior Community Chefs, Cooks, Drivers and Peers to meet high production standards.

Does this sound like work you want to be a part of?

We offer a high-energy, supportive and learning environment, and an opportunity to join a diverse team of caring professionals and a chance to make a difference. With over 75 programs and 25 sites, there are lots of opportunities to grow your career with us. Many members of the management team started in relief and front-line roles.

What You Will Do:

• Prepare, cook, and serve nutritious meals for vulnerable community members, shelter programs, catering clients, and other customers while maintaining high standards of quality, consistency, and presentation.
• Safely and hygienically prepare food for multiple programs and service locations in accordance with established menus, recipes, production schedules, and customer requirements.
• Ensure food is cooked, prepared, stored, transported, and served at appropriate temperatures and in compliance with all food safety regulations and organizational standards.
• Ensure appropriate portion sizes are prepared and served in accordance with Canada Food Guide recommendations, Toronto Shelter Standards, and program requirements.
• Follow standardized recipes, production sheets, and menu plans to ensure consistency, quality, and efficient use of resources.
• Provide day-to-day guidance, support, and knowledge sharing to food service trainees, peers, volunteers, and kitchen staff to promote safe work practices and high service standards.
• Collaborate effectively with the Chef Manager, Senior Community Chefs, drivers, and other team members to ensure efficient kitchen operations and service delivery.
• Oversee assigned kitchen activities and support adherence to cleanliness, sanitation, and operational standards throughout food production and service.
• Work independently when required, exercising sound judgment to prioritize competing demands, resolve routine operational issues, and maintain safe and efficient kitchen operations.
• Follow and uphold Fred Victor's Food Safety Plan throughout all stages of food production, storage, transportation, and service.
• Monitor compliance with health and safety legislation, food handling regulations, organizational policies, and sanitation standards, escalating concerns as appropriate.
• Complete and maintain required documentation, including food preparation records, temperature logs, storage records, donation tracking, inventory records, and health and safety checklists.
• Ensure commercial kitchen facilities, equipment, and work areas meet organizational standards for cleanliness, safety, and operational readiness.
• Assist with receiving, inspecting, rotating, labelling, and storing food deliveries according to safe food handling practices and inventory procedures.
• Support inventory management by monitoring stock levels, identifying supply shortages, minimizing waste, and communicating purchasing and supply needs to the Chef Manager.
• Report equipment malfunctions, maintenance concerns, and repair requirements in a timely manner to support uninterrupted kitchen operations.
• Contribute to the effective stewardship of food, equipment, and organizational resources through waste reduction, proper inventory control, and efficient production practices.
• Travel and provide culinary support across multiple Fred Victor Food Services locations as required to meet operational, program, and catering needs.
• Adapt to varying service environments, production volumes, staffing levels, and client needs while maintaining consistent service, quality, and food safety standards.
• Participate in staff meetings, training, and organizational initiatives as required.
• Perform other related duties consistent with the scope and responsibilities of the position.

What You Bring to the Team:

• 1+ years in food handling and cooking for large groups in a community setting.
• Graduate of Peer Training Program is considered an asset.
• Current Food Handlers Certificate.

Work Environment

• Fast-paced environment with frequent interruptions.
• Must adhere to all health and safety guidelines as per Toronto Public Health and internal policies.
• Regular exposure to the unpredictable behaviours and situations

Compensation and Benefits:

• For the Relief Cook, Fred Victor offers an hourly rate of $22.65
• 8% vacation pay
• Access to employee and family assistance plan

How You Can Apply:

Internal employees who are interested in this opportunity are encouraged to apply through ADP by navigating to Myself > Talent > Career Centre. Please note that we are currently soft-launching our new online hiring system through ADP. During this transition, not all job postings are available in the system yet. We appreciate your patience as we work through this transition. As part of the application process, applicants are asked to upload their resume and a cover letter as one document describing their interest in joining the Fred Victor team.

A Police Record Check is required by the final candidate prior to hiring.

Accessibility & Accommodation

Fred Victor is committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible environment where employees feel valued and respected, and where every employee has the opportunity to realize their potential. As such, we welcome and encourage applicants who identify as racialized persons, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, and persons across the spectrum of sexual orientation and gender identities and have lived-experience.

If you are a person with a disability and require accommodation and/or assistance during the application process, please contact us in advance. We strive to provide reasonable accommodations whenever requested. Information received relating to accommodation requests will be treated with confidentiality.