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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead cooking sessions and create delicious meals for the community with a team of volunteers.
- Company: Join FoodCycle, a passionate organisation dedicated to reducing food waste and improving nutrition.
- Benefits: Gain valuable skills, receive training, and earn an accredited food safety qualification.
- Why this job: Make a positive impact in your community while having fun and meeting like-minded people.
- Qualifications: No prior experience needed, just a passion for cooking and helping others.
- Other info: Enjoy ongoing support, training, and the chance to build lasting relationships.
The predicted salary is between 500 - 1500 £ per month.
Availability Details
- Attend a monthly Project Leader meeting to discuss as a team how things are going.
- Lead a minimum of one session per month.
Venue Address
Felling Community Centre, Below Crowhall Towers
Crowhall Lane
Gateshead
NE10 0NF
United Kingdom
Complete a DBS (Disclosure & Barring Service) check and attend Safeguard training.
On Going Support: Yes
Training Provided: Yes
Expenses Reimbursed: Yes
Support and Training Details: Expenses covered in line with our volunteer policy.
FoodCycle combines surplus food, volunteers and free kitchen space to create nutritious, three-course meals for the community. FoodCycle has four main aims:
- To strengthen communities
- To improve nutrition and reduce hunger
- To change attitudes towards food and to reduce food waste.
Cooking Project Leader Volunteers take on the overall delivery of the meal. These people are passionate, committed and want to make a positive change within their community; they take ownership of their project and make decisions on the ground.
As a Cooking Project Lead volunteer cook, you will be responsible for:
- Running cooking sessions, leading a team of volunteers to create a three-course meal in a limited timeframe.
- Ensuring the team are following the food safety procedures set out in our kitchen handbook.
- Inducting new volunteers into the kitchen.
- Encouraging the whole kitchen team to input into planning a tasty, healthy and nutritionally balanced menu.
- Communicating with other leaders to ensure the store of dry/tinned goods is kept well stocked.
- Completing the weekly checklist in the kitchen handbook and reporting on the session on My FoodCycle.
- Reporting any accidents and incidents.
- Together with the hosting leader, recognising, responding to and reporting any safeguarding issues or concerns.
Skills you will learn from becoming a Cooking Project Leader Volunteer:
- Teamwork: you'll work as part of a team to prepare a delicious meal and serve it to our guests.
- Leadership and delegation: we will train you up to lead cooking sessions and induct new members.
- Cooking: you will learn how to cater for large numbers of guests and how to make nutritionally balanced meals.
- Problem solving: you won't always know what your ingredients will be so you will need to get creative to produce delicious meals.
- Relationship building: you'll be building lasting relationships with your guests and volunteers.
What to expect from FoodCycle:
- Ongoing regular visits, support and advice.
- A training package to equip you for your role.
- Training throughout the year including safeguarding and first aid.
- Impressive skills to add to your CV and a reference when you need it.
- Accredited level 2 food safety qualification provided by FoodCycle.
- The opportunity to meet a large network of like-minded people.
- A fun creative volunteer experience with ownership of a community‐led project.
What is expected of me:
- Follow all FoodCycle Policies and procedures.
- You will need to shadow another volunteer leader before you are able to lead your own session.
- Please tell us why you are interested in this volunteering opportunity.
- Do you need any support in taking up this opportunity?
Cooking Project Leader Volunteers - FoodCycle in London employer: Ourgateshead
Contact Detail:
Ourgateshead Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Cooking Project Leader Volunteers - FoodCycle in London
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the organisation! Before your interview, dive into FoodCycle's mission and values. This will help you connect with the team and show that you're genuinely interested in making a positive change in the community.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your leadership skills! Since you'll be leading cooking sessions, think of examples from your past experiences where you've successfully led a team or solved problems. Share these stories during your chat to demonstrate your capability.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready to discuss food safety! Brush up on basic food safety procedures and be prepared to talk about how you would ensure a safe cooking environment. This shows you're serious about the role and the wellbeing of everyone involved.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to ask questions! At the end of your meeting, have a few thoughtful questions ready about the role or the team. This not only shows your enthusiasm but also helps you gauge if this is the right fit for you.
We think you need these skills to ace Cooking Project Leader Volunteers - FoodCycle in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for cooking and community service shine through. We want to see why you're excited about becoming a Cooking Project Leader and how you can make a positive impact!
Be Specific About Your Experience: Share any relevant experience you have in cooking, leading teams, or working with volunteers. We love to hear about your past roles and how they’ve prepared you for this opportunity at FoodCycle.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to reflect the skills and values mentioned in the job description. Highlight your teamwork, leadership, and problem-solving abilities, as these are key to the role.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and get you started on this exciting journey with FoodCycle.
How to prepare for a job interview at Ourgateshead
✨Know Your Stuff
Familiarise yourself with FoodCycle's mission and values. Understand how they combine surplus food, volunteers, and community efforts to create nutritious meals. This will show your passion for the role and commitment to making a positive change.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led a team or project in the past. Highlight your ability to delegate tasks, motivate others, and handle challenges. This is crucial for a Cooking Project Leader, so be ready to discuss your leadership style.
✨Demonstrate Your Problem-Solving Abilities
Think of scenarios where you had to get creative with limited resources. Discuss how you adapted to unexpected situations, especially in a cooking context. This will illustrate your ability to think on your feet and ensure a successful cooking session.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare questions that show your interest in the role and the organisation. Inquire about the training process, team dynamics, or how they measure success in their projects. This not only shows your enthusiasm but also helps you gauge if it's the right fit for you.
