At a Glance
- Tasks: Coordinate the kitchen, manage volunteers, and serve healthy meals to our community.
- Company: Join the Booth Centre, an award-winning community hub supporting those affected by homelessness.
- Benefits: Enjoy a supportive work environment, employee assistance programme, and discounts with the Blue Light Card.
- Why this job: Make a real impact while working in a fun, inclusive atmosphere with a dedicated team.
- Qualifications: NVQ Level 2 in Food Production & Cooking preferred; experience in kitchens and with volunteers is essential.
- Other info: Flexible hours, opportunities for personal growth, and a chance to contribute to community events.
The predicted salary is between 24000 - 36000 £ per year.
Reporting to: Service Manager
Location: Booth Centre
Main Purpose: To coordinate the running of the Booth Centre kitchen with our volunteer team, ensuring we provide a ‘3 of your 5 a day’ menu to, on average, 90 people who visit the Centre each day.
Agreed Behaviours & A Little About the Booth Centre
We live our values and act within the agreed behaviours we coproduced as a team.
Agreed Behaviours Compassion Dedication Integrity Respect Kindness
Sense of Fun Supportive Cheerleading for one another Openness Non-judgemental
The Booth Centre is an award-winning community centre run in partnership with people affected by homelessness. We providea warm welcome, an opportunity to belong, to find purpose andto affect systems change across the city. Our programme includesactivities such as volunteering, creative projects and sports, training and help to gain employment. We also support people to improve health andwellbeing, toaccess accommodation, and tosecure and maintain a permanent home. We are recognised nationally as a beacon of good practice and have delivered good practice workshops, training and guidelines on ways of working in partnership, which have been implemented across many services in the sector. The Centre is a safe, welcoming place, where everyone is included, respected, heard and empowered; we are a community.
Our Vision, Mission & Values:
- Our vision is for everyone to have a secure home and the opportunity to have a good quality of life.
- Our mission is to bring about positive change in the lives of people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness and help them plan for and realise a better future.
- We live our values, which have been agreed with people accessing the Centre. Our values are Respectful, Inclusive, Welcoming, Inspiring and Partnership Working.
The Booth Centre Kitchen is the heart of the Centre. Our busy kitchen is run in partnership with our volunteer team and is central to our service delivery. Our kitchen volunteer team wants to improve their skills and produce delicious food for our Community Café, which provides a lovely space for everyone to enjoy the food prepared by the kitchen team, in a friendly, social eating setting where people can build connections & enjoy a dining experience.
Job Description
The Booth Centre Kitchen Team has identified that the
Community Cook should:
- Offer flexibility and inclusivity – ability to work dynamically to produce healthy meals for, on average, 100 per day.
- Empower and include people volunteering in the kitchen.
- Create a warm atmosphere, good vibe and being positive.
- Good cooking ability
- Commitment to working within a coproduced approach
- Ability to work well in a busy environment, in a team setting & alone
- Ability to keep to task, to prioritise and to meet deadlines
- Commitment to working within our team’s Agreed Behaviours
- Possession of an NVQ Level 2 Food Production & Cooking (or something similar)
- Ability to set up, plan and run group sessions or meetings
- Experience of working in a kitchen and undertaking compliance related tasks
- Experience of working with volunteers and/or in partnership with others
- Experience of working with or supporting vulnerable people
- Experience of dealing with challenging behaviour
General
- To identify risk and safeguarding concerns, with the ability to follow procedure.
- To attend regular 1-to-1 sessions and team meetings, as identified by your line manager
- To attend other meetings and training as requested by your line manager or the SLT
- To undertake any other duties as requested by your line manager or the SLT, within reason and through discussion
- To carry out all duties in line with the Centre’s Vision, Mission & Values, following policies and practice, to show commitment to inclusion & equality of opportunity
- Willingness to cover the duties and tasks of colleagues where necessary
- We ask our team members to commit to a Community Pledge, supporting events and fundraising drives as well as taking part in one fundraising event per year.
- We ask our team members to contribute to the food and drinks on offer to the staff team at the Centre by making a monthly payment of £10.
Note: Though we have tried to be thorough, no job description can cover every issue which may arise within a post at various times. The successful candidate would be expected to carry out other duties as required from time to time.
Person Specification – Are you the person we are looking for?
We would like to welcome a flexible, positive, dedicated, respectful person to the team as Community Cook. We are looking for a dynamic, team player, who enjoys working with others, taking on a challenge and takes pride in their work. You will become part of a dedicated, supportive and friendly team. You will be supported to develop and learn, to build your skills and knowledge in a sometimes challenging, often rewarding setting.
Key information
- Employer: The Booth Centre
- Locations: Manchester
- Role Type: Fixed term
- Working Hours: Full-Time
- Working Hours Per Week: Hours:40 hours per week, Monday to Friday 8am – 4pm
To apply for this role:
How to Apply
We welcome applications from the whole community, particularly anyone with experience of homelessness or from a minority, ethnic background, though the person most suited to the post will be offered the role. Please forward an expression of interest to our HR & Administration Manager: caitlin@boothcentre.org.uk taking care to address all items in the Person Specification.
Closing date: Wednesday 20th August 5pm
Taster Morning: Tuesday 2nd September
Interview date: Tuesday 2nd September
All successful applicants will be subject to an Enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references. We are legally required to see proof of eligibility to work in the UK.
More about this role
- Closing Date: Wednesday 20th August 2025 at 12:00pm
- Closing Time: 5pm
- Anticipated Interview Date: Tuesday, September 2, 2025 – 13:00
- Employee Benefits: Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)to support your health and wellbeing10% pensionBike to workBlue Light Card discountoffering savings across a wide range of retailers and services
- Working Pattern Details: Hours:40 hours per week, Monday to Friday 8am – 4pm
- Would You Consider A Job Share For The Role?: Yes
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Community Kitchen Coordinator employer: Action Together
Contact Detail:
Action Together Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Community Kitchen Coordinator
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the Booth Centre's values and mission. When you understand their commitment to compassion, respect, and inclusivity, you can better demonstrate how your personal values align with theirs during any discussions or interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Engage with the community by volunteering at the Booth Centre or similar organisations. This hands-on experience will not only enhance your skills but also show your dedication to working with vulnerable people, which is crucial for this role.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience in managing a kitchen and working with volunteers. Think of specific examples where you've empowered others or created a positive atmosphere, as these are key aspects of the Community Kitchen Coordinator role.
✨Tip Number 4
Show your flexibility and adaptability by being ready to discuss how you handle challenges in a busy kitchen environment. Highlight any past experiences where you successfully prioritised tasks and met deadlines, as this will resonate well with the expectations of the role.
We think you need these skills to ace Community Kitchen Coordinator
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description thoroughly to grasp the responsibilities and requirements of the Community Kitchen Coordinator position. Make sure you understand the values and mission of the Booth Centre, as these will be crucial in your application.
Tailor Your CV: Customise your CV to highlight relevant experience, particularly in kitchen management, working with volunteers, and supporting vulnerable individuals. Emphasise any qualifications like NVQ Level 2 in Food Production & Cooking.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that reflects your passion for community work and your alignment with the Booth Centre's values. Address how your skills and experiences make you a suitable candidate for the role, and mention your commitment to inclusivity and teamwork.
Address the Person Specification: Make sure to directly address each item in the Person Specification within your application. Use specific examples from your past experiences to demonstrate how you meet these criteria, showcasing your flexibility, dedication, and ability to work in a busy environment.
How to prepare for a job interview at Action Together
✨Show Your Passion for Community Work
Make sure to express your enthusiasm for working in a community kitchen and helping those in need. Share any personal experiences or motivations that drive you to support vulnerable people, as this aligns with the values of the Booth Centre.
✨Demonstrate Teamwork Skills
Since the role involves working closely with volunteers, highlight your ability to collaborate effectively. Provide examples of past experiences where you successfully worked in a team, especially in a kitchen or community setting.
✨Emphasise Flexibility and Adaptability
The job requires a dynamic approach to meal preparation for a large number of people. Be prepared to discuss how you handle changing circumstances and your ability to prioritise tasks in a busy environment.
✨Align with the Centre's Values
Familiarise yourself with the Booth Centre's mission and values. During the interview, make connections between your own values and theirs, particularly around respect, inclusivity, and partnership working, to show you are a good cultural fit.