Head Cook

Prepare and serve an evening meal to around 28 residents, manage dietary variations, clean the kitchen, and maintain a safe and hygienic food environment.......

Are you someone who takes pride in food, cares deeply about people on the margins, and wants to contribute to something meaningful every day?

Servants Community Housing is a Christian not-for-profit organisation that provides safe, affordable, community-centred housing for people experiencing trauma, mental illness, homelessness and disadvantage. With almost 100 residents across four rooming houses in Kew and Hawthorn, Servants is known for dignity-based, relationship-centred housing where people often rediscover belonging and stability.

Our purpose is to create homes where respect, dignity, hope and opportunity are nurtured through intentional community.

Many of our residents arrive at Servants with few belongings and limited support networks. Sharing a freshly cooked meal is often the most consistent moment of warmth, stability and welcome in their week. As our Cook, you will come to know the people you cook for, and they will know you — and a simple greeting at the servery window can be a point of connection that matters more than you might expect.

About the role

You will independently prepare and serve an evening meal to around 28 residents, manage dietary variations, clean the kitchen, and maintain a safe and hygienic food environment. You will also take responsibility for menu planning, ordering, accepting deliveries, cost control, food safety documentation, and basic admin tasks.

This position requires strong communication skills, the ability to work respectfully with vulnerable people, and competence with basic digital tools — including the ability to create tables in both Microsoft Word and Excel for menus, cost tracking, and food safety records.

You will work in conjunction with other Cooks across our three houses, sharing ideas and supporting each other. Live-in managers onsite are always a phone call away.

We’re looking for someone who:

• Has experience in bulk cooking
• Can cook really well
• Has good organisational skills
• Enjoys communicating with people
• Has compassion for people who have experienced trauma and adversity
• Values relationships and community
• Is comfortable being part of people’s everyday lives
• Can work independently and with care
• Food Safety Supervisor Certificate (or willingness to obtain)
• Good computer skills for online ordering and Excel skills for stock lists and menu orders
• Has flexibility to attend the occasional staff meeting

The position is Casual, with option for Part-Time.

Approximately 22 hours per week.

Hours of Work – a selection of 4- 6 shifts from the following:

Dinner Shifts

• Monday to Friday: approx. 3:00pm – 7:00pm

• Sunday: 4:30pm – 6:30pm

No dinner Saturday night.

Breakfast Shifts

• One cooked breakfast per week (approx. 8:00am – 10:00am)

If this sounds like something you might be interested in, please don't hesitate to phone Amanda Donohoe on 0417085443 with any questions about the role.