Employment Type: Full-Time, Contract
Position Status: Vacant
Work Hours: 35 hours per week (7:00 Am to 3:00 PM, Sunday to Thursday)
Salary: $25.10 (L2) per hour
Contract Duration: February 10, 2026 to May 7, 2026
Location: 348 Davenport Road Toronto, ON, M5R 1K6
Application Deadline: Monday, February 9, 2026
JOIN OUR TEAM
Join YWCA Toronto as a cook, where intersectional feminism, community voices, and social justice drive lasting change. We welcome women and gender diverse people of all identities into a workplace rooted in equity, collaboration, and inclusion.
The Cook is responsible for preparing and serving nutritionally balanced meals, cleaning the kitchen, serving area and cafeteria. This position is also responsible for assisting the Food Services Coordinator in the planning of meals and snacks in a multi service residential and shelter setting.
ABOUT YWCA TORONTO – YWCA DAVENPORT
YWCA Davenport provides up to 80 emergency shelter beds to young women and gender-diverse people (16 – 24 years of age) and adult women and gender-diverse people (25 and older) and is staffed 24 hours a day. This pet friendly shelter is funded by the City of Toronto and adheres to Toronto Shelter Standards.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Prepares and serves meals, snacks and bag lunches in a cafeteria setting;
- Prepares for the following day's meals;
- Under the direction of the food services coordinator assists in the planning and preparation of meals as required by Toronto shelter standards;
- Ensures that the health and safety guidelines are followed in accordance with the policies and procedures of YWCA Toronto;
- Follows safety guidelines in food preparation in accordance with the Toronto shelter standards;
- Cleans food preparation and serving areas, ensuring that all health regulations are met;
- Assists with the delivery and storage of food and supplies used in all meal preparation.
QUALIFICATIONS
- High school diploma or equivalent (Cases for Equivalency will be considered);
- Food Handler Certification and nutrition training;
- WHMIS training required;
- 1 to 3 years’ experience in food handling and food preparation;
- Experience in cooking culturally diverse meals in a large residential setting;
- Demonstrated ability to work in a fast-paced environment with competing demands;
- Ability to interact with a diverse community of women and gender diverse people with complex needs, many of whom are living with mental health challenges and active substance use;
- Understanding of the barriers/obstacles that homeless women and gender diverse people face;
- Ability to maintain a positive approach and a professional manner at all times;
- Completed Toronto Shelter Standards training an asset;
- Knowledge of second language an asset;
- Naloxone training is an asset.
NB: May be required to provide stand by for sick or emergency relief.
Vaccination Policy: - In accordance with YWCA Toronto’s COVID-19 Vaccination Policy, all YWCA Toronto employees, students and volunteers are strongly encouraged to obtain all COVID-19 vaccinations and booster doses as recommended by Toronto Public Health.
HOW TO APPLY
Please click or copy and paste the link in your browser to apply
https://ywcatoronto.applytojob.com/apply/O3XZue1JRi/Cook-YWCA-Davenport-Contract?source=Diversity
Please note: A vulnerable sector police reference check is required by the successful candidate prior to hiring. YWCA Toronto is a unionized workplace. Staff are represented by CUPE Local 2189. This position is not within the Bargaining Unit. Please indicate on your cover letter if you are an internal candidate. For internal applicants this position is not secondable.
YWCA Toronto promotes the principles of anti-oppression and adheres to the tenets of the Ontario Human Rights Code. We encourage applications from women and gender diverse people of all races, ethnic origins, religions, abilities and sexual orientations.
YWCA Toronto provides accommodation during all parts of the hiring process, upon request, to applicants with disabilities. If contacted, please advise us if you require any accommodation. While we thank all candidates for their interest, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
YWCA Toronto may use AI-supported tools to assist with parts of the recruitment process; all hiring decisions are made by people and guided by our commitment to equity and fairness
YWCA Toronto is a Scent-Sensitive Workplace.
Posting Date: January 27, 2026