First-Line Cook/ Youth Mentor/Front of House Support

We don’t have a mold for you to fit. We have a mission for you to join!

Most jobs want you to button up and blend in. At Youth Opportunities Unlimited (YOU), we want the opposite. We want the unique perspectives, the diverse talents, and the personal story that makes you who you are. Why? Because the youth we serve are not one size fits all and the people who support them shouldn’t be either!

At YOU, we believe meaningful impact is built collectively, and that every role contributes to something bigger than itself. We value your ability to bring fresh ideas to the table and innovate new ways to steward and strengthen the financial systems that power our mission, working within a team that walks alongside youth every step of the way!

Build a community where youth are embraced, empowered, and thrive. Be bold. Be authentic. Be YOU

Reporting to the Head Chef, the First-Line Cook / Youth Mentor / Front of House Support is responsible for food production and kitchen operations within YOU’s food services, while providing support to Front of House (FOH) operations as required. This includes assisting during periods of high volume, staff absences, special events and catering services.

In collaboration with the Head Chef and Front of House team, this position ensures that daily food production requirements and service standards are met while contributing to a positive, welcoming experience for customers and guests. Responsibilities include supervising kitchen youth and volunteers, supporting food preparation and production, and ensuring the quality and consistency of food served at the assigned location.

An important component of this role is mentoring and supporting youth trainees through hands-on employment training and skills development. The First-Line Cook / Youth Mentor / Front of House Support helps youth build practical kitchen and workplace skills, develop confidence, and prepare for successful employment in a dynamic team environment.

The position is also responsible for maintaining a clean, safe and organized kitchen environment and ensuring compliance with all applicable health and safety regulations, including sanitary practices, safe food handling and established Food Safety protocols.

This position will work closely with the manager to ensure all staff are working in line with YOU’s Mission, Vision and Values. As part of Enterprise Services, this role works closely with other staff including: Cooks, Employment and Housing staff, Team leaders and other individuals to best coordinate a wrap-around approach to services to achieve successful outcomes for youth. 

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Delivery of programming and Youth skills mentorship 
• Prepares general correspondence 
• Maintains and updates data on youth’s training competencies
• Executes day-to-day Back of House (BOH) kitchen and food and beverage operations, while providing Front of House (FOH) support as required.
• Assists with FOH operations during busy service periods, staff absences and periods of increased customer volume.
• Supports daily customer service, food service, order coordination and maintaining a welcoming environment for customers and guests.
• Assists with food preparation, plating, packaging and presentation for regular service and catering orders.
• Ensures food production and service meet established quality, presentation and timing standards.
• Assists with catering preparation and service, including coordinating food preparation, setup, delivery, presentation and cleanup.
• Supports special events, including event setup and teardown, food and beverage service, guest interaction and responding to changing event requirements
• Coordinates hands-on learning for youth trainees 
• Coordinates food safety and cleanliness program of Food and Beverage Activities
• Assists with planning and coordination of catering activities

Qualifications:

• 2–3 years of related work experience
• Red Seal, Culinary Management Diploma or equivalent preferred.
• Assets: Safe Food Handling, First Aid, HACCP and Smart Serve certifications.
• Ability to engage, coach, mentor and support youth and staff
• Strong administrative skills, including ordering, inventory and record keeping.
• Knowledge of kitchen cleanliness, hygiene, food storage and rotation standards.
• Experience in food preparation, production, plating, packaging and contracted catering.
• Experience supporting Front of House operations, customer service and food service.
• Ability to assist with catering, special events, setup, service and cleanup.
• Ability to work collaboratively with kitchen and FOH teams to ensure quality service.
• Experience supporting youth with assigned tasks and workplace expectations.
• Strong communication skills and ability to adapt to changing priorities.
• Ability to follow all Youth Opportunities Unlimited policies, guidelines and procedures
• Knowledge of and compliance with food safety and workplace regulations.

Hours of work:

• 35 hours per week, flexible schedule depending on the needs of YOU
• Extended hours and weekend work may be required from time to time

Benefits:

• Dental care
• Disability insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Extended health care
• Life insurance
• RRSP match

Our Commitment to Equity and Inclusion:

YOU is actively building a diverse board and workforce reflective of Canadian society. As a result, we promote employment equity and encourage candidates from Indigenous, Black, and other racialized communities, 2SLGBTQI+ people, individuals with disabilities, women, and other people from communities facing systemic inequities. We recognize that structural barriers shape experiences and job qualifications. We encourage you to apply even if you feel the position would be a stretch.

Youth Opportunities Unlimited is committed to developing inclusive and barrier free selection and appointment processes as well as work environments, in support of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act 2005 and the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation 191/11. Should an applicant require accommodation at anypoint during the recruitment process or as an employee during subsequent employment, they are invited to communicate and discuss their requirements at hr@you.ca

We thank all applicants, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Applications should be received electronically in MS Word or PDF format as one document.