Cook 

internal/external posting

job title: Cook

job ID #: CPCBI C 26-0417

department: Community Programs and Capacity Building Initiatives

reports to: Kitchen Supervisor, Community Programs and Capacity Building Initiatives

salary range: (CS1)  $21.36 – $29.50 per hour

status: Full Time, Permanent 

hours: maximum of 37.5 hours per week 

Who we are:

Sherbourne is a leading provider of quality health care and transformative support to people who face social, economic, and other systemic barriers. Our mission is to be a dynamic provider of integrated health services, community programs and capacity-building initiatives that enable people and diverse communities to achieve wellness.

Sherbourne provides innovative health care and social services to the diverse urban population of southeast Toronto.  While our doors are open to everyone, we focus on people experiencing homelessness or who are under-housed; 2SLGBTQ+, and newcomers to Canada.  We are funded by the Ministry of Health, Ontario Health, Ministry of Community, Children and Social Services, the City of Toronto and many generous donors and foundations.

about the role:

Reporting to the Kitchen Supervisor, the Café Attendant- Cook prepares and delivers meals, individual dishes, or catering for in-house, external clients, and services users. The role works closely with the Kitchen Supervisor, program staff and Dietitians to ensure meals meet dietary guidelines, quality standards, and service timelines. The Café Attendant- Cook is hands-on and plays an important part in the daily operations of Sherbourne Health food programs. This position ensures the timely preparation of high-quality, nutritious, and culturally appropriate meals that support food security, health promotion, and community engagement. The Café Attendant- Cook upholds food safety standards in all Sherbourne kitchens. 

Working at Sherbourne

At Sherbourne Health, we care about our staff and recognize that our biggest strength is our people. We have a solid commitment to life-long learning which is demonstrated through our professional development program. We invest in collective work and staff training to improve client care. We supplement this by creating a low-barrier work environment built on equity and respect, while working together in caring, cohesive teams and providing opportunities for advancement.

we believe in work-life balance and offer:

  • A competitive salary.   
  • Membership in Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP).  
  • Up to four weeks of vacation per year (to start).  
  • Up to four personal days per year.  
  • An extended healthcare and dental package.  
  • Long-term disability insurance.   
  • Life insurance.   
  • An employee assistance plan.  
  • A generous professional development plan: up to $1,300 to be used towards learning activities.  
  • Up to six fully paid professional development days per year – related to position/responsibilities. 

 Responsibilities and Tasks:

Food Preparation & Cooking 

  • Operates within the Food Services teams to prepare and cook meals for the Acute Respite Care Unit (ARC), Food for Good Café, drop-in and group programs, and catered services. 
  • Execute daily production schedules, prep lists, and batch cooking, ensuring alignment with dietary and cultural requirements. 
  • Ensure consistency, quality, and presentation of all meals served. 
  • Adhered to recipes based on ingredient availability, dietary needs, and program focus. 
  • Collaborate with Food Services team to ensure Café apprentices are well supported.  
  • Contribute to the development of standard operating procedures 
  • Liaise with café attendants and program staff to ensure timely service and clear communication. 
  • Address and escalate operational concerns to the Kitchen Supervisor as needed. 
  • Attend and participate in meetings as directed by Management. 

Inventory, Compliance & Safety 

  • Monitor and maintain accurate inventory levels of food, kitchen supplies, and cleaning products. 
  • Ensure proper labeling, dating, and storage of all food items using the FIFO (First In, First Out) method. 
  • Track expiry dates and minimize food waste through effective stock rotation and usage planning. 
  • Adhere to all food safety and sanitation protocols, including proper storage, temperature logs, and allergen procedures. 
  • Responsible for maintaining a clean kitchen environment.  
  • Ensure kitchen equipment is cleaned, maintained, and reported for repair. 
  • Maintain accurate records for food safety, temperature logs, meal counts, and supply usage. 
  • Prepare reports on kitchen operations, inventory, and meal program outcomes. 

 Core Competencies 

  • Strong organizational and time-management skills 
  • Food safety and sanitation excellence 
  • Cultural responsiveness and food justice 
  • Problem-solving and critical thinking in high-demand environments 
  • Ability to multitask and respond to changing needs 
  • Clear, respectful communication 

To thrive in this role, you’ll need

education/experience/skills/abilities:

  • 3 years of experience in working with and preparing meals for clients with complex dietary needs. 
  • Minimum 3–5 years of culinary and cooking experience.
  • Secondary School Diploma.
  • Cooking/culinary certification from a recognized culinary institution or 5 years experience preparing meals in a commercial healthcare or institutional food service setting with demonstrated knowledge of food safety standards and large-scale meal production. 
  • Valid Food Handler’s Certificate (Advanced FST required). 
  • Experience developing and implementing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and food costing tools. 
  • Experience working in healthcare and diverse, community-based environments. 
  • Excellent cooking skills with a strong focus on quality, presentation, nutrition, dietary requirements, and food safety regulations. 
  • Strong time management, multitasking, and organizational skills. 
  • Effective communication and adaptable to a variety of audiences. 
  • Cultural humility and experience working within anti-oppressive frameworks.

conditions of employment:

  • Offer of employment is contingent upon satisfactory results from background checks, including professional references, education verification, criminal background check, and vulnerable sector screening. 
  • Must demonstrate knowledge of and compliance with relevant legislation, including: 
  • Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) 
  • Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA) 
  • Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) 
  • Ontario Human Rights Code 
  • Ontario Health Protection and Promotion Act 
  • Commitment to maintaining a safe and healthy workplace by adhering to Sherbourne Health Centre policies, health and safety legislation, and best practices.

working conditions:

  • Work is performed in a kitchen environment within a healthcare and community-based setting. 
  • Physical demands include standing for extended periods, lifting up to 40 lbs, and operating kitchen equipment. 
  • Work hours vary based on program and operational priorities; evening and weekend availability is required. 
  • The role involves managing multiple projects simultaneously and responding to frequent requests for support, training, and information. 
  • Requires strong interpersonal and communication skills, as well as technical knowledge of 2SLGBTQ+ health and social issues. 
  • Success in this role requires flexibility, tact, and the ability to prioritize in a dynamic, fast-paced environment. 

to apply: Please forward a cover letter and resume (saved as one document) quoting Job ID# CPCBI C 26-0417 to myjob@sherbourne.on.ca by 5:00 pm on May 1, 2026.

Sherbourne is dedicated to building an organization that reflects the diversity of our clients and the communities we serve. This includes diversity in languages spoken, culture, race, sexual orientation, and gender identity. Requests for accommodation due to disability can be made at any stage in the recruitment process.

We thank all applicants for their interest but only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.

BOLD.                  KIND.                   REAL.                   OPEN.                   WE CARE.