First Cook – Youth Mentor

Be the best YOU!

Being a part of Youth Opportunities Unlimited (YOU) means you have a shared passion for supporting youth in reaching their full potential. YOU is a place where your unique background, perspectives, and talents are valued, and help innovate new program ideas to best support youth in our community.

You can make your impact here! Be part of a diverse and inclusive workplace where the work you do is truly valued. You will have the freedom to excel in your way by serving young people and knowing you are making a difference for our community.

Come be a part of a team that works alongside youth as they work on goals and be there to celebrate when they achieve those milestones. Help us continue creating a community where youth are embraced and will thrive.

Reporting to the Head Chef, Food Services - Enterprise, the First-Line Cook / Youth Mentor is responsible for production in the kitchen operations of YOU’s food services. In collaboration with the Sous Chef and Front of House this position will ensure that youth receive exemplary training while daily production requirements are met. The First-Line Cook / Youth Mentor provides supervision of youth and volunteers of the kitchen, participating in the training and development of staff/youth trainees. The First-Line Cook / Youth Mentor is responsible for ensuring the completion and standards of food production at the site they work at. The First-Line Cook / Youth Mentor keeps the kitchen in compliance with all health and safety regulations by ensuring adherence to sanitary and safe food handling guidelines, assisting in the adherence to Food Safety protocols. Training of youth is paramount, and the First-Line Cook / Youth Mentor assists in the mentoring of skills to Youth Trainees including youth skills development programming with specific emphasis on youth employment training and job attainment in a dynamic team environment. Other duties will be assigned as necessary. Qualified candidates possess exceptional communication and leadership skills, work well in a fast paced and dynamic environment, and hold values that support our corporate vision of being “A community where youth are embraced and will thrive”.

Responsibilities:

• Deliver of programming and Youth skills mentorship
• Prepares general correspondence
• Maintains and updates data on youth’s training competencies
• Executes day to day operations of back of house of Food and Beverage operations
• Coordinates: programming for youth trainees and staff
• Coordinates food safety and cleanliness program of Food and Beverage Activities
• Consults with various staff regarding clients progress and issues arising from programming
• Participates in weekly team meetings regarding clients services and programming needs, upcoming business needs, day to day operations
• Answers questions regarding programming for internal YOU staff and external community services
• Works closely with team to provide supervision and mentorship
• Works closely with community partners for program delivery
• Promotes programming and providing tours to interested partners, clients and internal YOU staff
• Sits on committees as it relates to programming and community building
• Assists with the training of new staff and students, related to youth programs
• Participate in health and safety training including WHMIS and applies this knowledge in the workplace
• Report any violations of the Health and Safety Act or the regulations, or the existence of any hazard
• Ensure all workplace incidents are reported in a timely manner in accordance with legislation, and YOU policies and procedures for workplace injuries and incidents
• Other related duties, as required

Qualifications:
The incumbent must have superior relationship management skills, customer service, attention to details and be comfortable with a variety of people. The incumbent must demonstrate friendliness, creativity, and flexibility in dealing with the public, youth participants, and YOU staff. Additionally, the following qualifications are expected:

• 2 – 3 years related work experience.
• Baking experience would be considered an asset.
• G license required with preference to clear drivers abstract
• Recommended Education: Red Seal/ Culinary Management Diploma or Equivalent
• Assets:
• Safe Food Handling Certification
• First Aid
• HACCP Training
• Demonstrated ability to engage, coach, mentor and support youth participants and staff
• Demonstrated abilities to administrative tasks such as ordering, inventory, record keeping etc.
• Knowledge of standards for cleanliness and hygiene in the various kitchen areas including refrigerators and storerooms and that food products are rotated to ensure high standards of freshness.
• Experience with production and plating/packaging of food production, with strong focus on contracted catering, ensuring produced meals are of high standards to maintain the best quality food style possible.
• Demonstrated professional work habits, encourage staff to act with integrity and recognize this trait in others and reward them appropriately.
• Experience with training youth to complete work and side duties to staff in accordance with departmental procedures.
• Strong communication skills including communicating additions or changes to the assignments as they arise throughout the shift.
• Experience participating in pre-shift meetings reviewing all information pertinent to the day's business.
• Ability to adhere to all Youth Opportunities Unlimited Guidelines, Policies, Rules and Regulations.
• Demonstrated compliance with all governmental and regulatory requirements ensuring safe food handling practices

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: $19.25-$21.22 per hour

Expected hours: No less than 35 per week

Additional pay:

• Overtime pay

Benefits:

• Company events
• Dental care
• Disability insurance
• Discounted or free food
• Employee assistance program
• Extended health care
• Paid time off
• Store discount
• Vision care

Schedule:

• Holidays
• Monday to Friday
• Overtime
• Weekends as needed

Ability to commute/relocate:

• London, ON N6A 3C3: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Experience:

• Baking: 1 year (required)

Licence/Certification:

• Food Handler Certification (preferred)
• G Driving Licence (required)

Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 2025-06-22