About Seneca Hill
Founded in 1988, Seneca Hill Private School is a caring, inclusive private school where every student is known, supported, and inspired. Our enriched, IB-inspired program balances strong academics with real-world learning, character, leadership, and well-being. Nutritious food is part of that commitment: students learn and thrive when they feel healthy, energized, and cared for.
The Opportunity
This is a hands-on role for someone who combines creativity with disciplined food-safety practices and genuinely enjoys being part of a school community. The School Chef leads the day-to-day kitchen operation, from menu planning and ordering through preparation, service, sanitation, and recordkeeping.
What You Will Do
- Plan, prepare, cook, portion, and serve a daily morning snack, lunch, and afternoon snack for participating students.
- Develop rotating menus that are balanced, child-friendly, appealing, budget-conscious, and informed by Canada's Food Guide, seasonality, and student feedback.
- Safely accommodate food allergies and dietary restrictions through careful labelling, separation, recordkeeping, and cross-contact controls.
- Help in the ordering and receiving food and supplies; maintain accurate inventory; rotate stock; monitor quality; and reduce avoidable food waste.
- Maintain an inspection-ready kitchen in accordance with Toronto Public Health requirements, Ontario food-safety standards, and school procedures, including temperature logs, safe storage, dating, sanitation, and cleaning schedules.
- Keep kitchen equipment in safe working order and promptly report maintenance or supply needs to Administration.
- Build positive, respectful relationships with students and encourage age-appropriate portions, curiosity, and healthy eating habits without pressure.
- Support school celebrations and events, and share occasional menu or meal updates for family communications in accordance with school privacy practices.
- Complete daily dishwashing, sanitation, and kitchen closing procedures so the space is clean, organized, and ready for the next day.
What You Bring
- Experience: At least two years of professional cooking, catering, or food-service experience; school, childcare, camp, or institutional experience is an asset.
- Food safety: A current Food Handler Certificate recognized in Ontario and strong knowledge of allergen management and cross-contact prevention.
- Organization: The ability to work independently, sequence competing tasks, manage inventory, and consistently meet fixed service times.
- Judgment: A calm, dependable, and safety-focused approach, with close attention to detail and accurate records.
- Community mindset: Warm, respectful communication and genuine comfort working around children, staff, and families.
- Screening: The ability to provide satisfactory professional references and a clear Vulnerable Sector Check before starting.
- Physical requirements: The ability to perform the role's essential duties, with reasonable accommodation where required, including prolonged standing, frequent bending and reaching, frequent lifting of 10-15 kg (22-33 lb), and occasional lifting of up to 25 kg (55 lb).
Additional Assets
- Culinary diploma, certificate, apprenticeship, or equivalent practical training.
- Current CPR and First Aid certification.
- Experience with menu costing, purchasing, nutrition-focused food service, baking, or culturally diverse menu development.
Why Join Seneca Hill
- A predictable weekday, school-day schedule (8am-4pm)
- Meaningful ownership of a food program that directly supports student well-being and learning.
- Room to bring creativity to menus while working within clear safety, nutrition, and budget expectations.
- A welcoming school community that values initiative, reliability, and care.
How to Apply
Please submit a resume and brief cover note describing your relevant cooking experience, your approach to food safety and allergies, and why a school-based role appeals to you. A sample menu or small portfolio of meals is welcome but not required. We thank all applicants; only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $22.00-$26.00 per hour
Ability to commute/relocate:
- North York, ON: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Experience:
- Cooking: 1 year (preferred)
Work Location: In person
