Community Culinary Specialist

The Community Culinary Specialist is a part-time position (20–25 hours per week) responsible for planning, preparing, and coordinating nutritious meals and food assistance services for program participants. This position oversees daily food service activities, including grocery shopping, hot lunch preparation, sack dinners, food box assembly, and meal distribution, while maintaining a clean, safe, and organized kitchen environment.

The Community Culinary Specialist promotes healthy eating, food accessibility, and positive participant engagement through meal services. Depending on experience and qualifications, the position may also assist with nutrition education classes, cooking demonstrations, and other food-related activities. Additional responsibilities include maintaining accurate meal service documentation, managing food inventory, and ensuring compliance with applicable food safety and sanitation standards.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Plan, prepare, and serve nutritious, balanced meals that support participant health and wellness
• Coordinate daily food service operations, including hot lunches, sack dinners, food boxes, and meal distribution
• Develop meal plans based on available ingredients, participant dietary needs, nutritional considerations, and established program budgets
• Coordinate grocery shopping, food purchasing, and procurement of kitchen supplies while maintaining cost-effective practices
• Monitor food inventory, organize storage areas, track expiration dates, and minimize food waste
• Receive, sort, organize, and distribute purchased or donated food items and supplies
• Maintain a clean, sanitary, and organized kitchen, ensuring compliance with applicable food safety regulations and agency procedures
• Follow proper food handling, storage, temperature control, cleaning, and sanitation practices
• Ensure meal preparation and distribution accommodate dietary restrictions, allergies, and cultural preferences when reasonably possible
• Maintain accurate documentation of meals prepared and served, food boxes distributed, inventory, and other required program activities
• Assist with collecting and tracking food service data for program reporting, grant compliance, and operational needs
• Foster a welcoming, respectful, and inclusive environment while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries and participant confidentiality
• Collaborate with program staff to coordinate meal services, identify participant needs, and support community food assistance activities
• Assist with nutrition education classes, cooking demonstrations, and healthy food preparation activities based on experience and qualifications
• Support special events, participant activities, and community outreach efforts involving food preparation or distribution
• Monitor kitchen equipment and supplies, promptly reporting maintenance needs, safety concerns, or operational issues to program leadership
• Perform other related duties as assigned to support program operations and the agency's mission

• High school diploma or equivalent required
• Experience in food preparation, meal service, community kitchens, or food assistance programs
• Basic knowledge of food safety, sanitation, food storage, and meal preparation practices
• Ability to independently prepare meals, organize food service activities, and manage multiple responsibilities
• Strong organizational, time management, and communication skills
• Ability to maintain accurate inventory records, meal service documentation, and purchasing records
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with staff, participants, and community partners
• Ability to obtain and maintain required food safety credentials within applicable legal timeframes
• Ability to maintain confidentiality, professional boundaries, and respectful interactions with diverse populations
• Ability to stand, walk, bend, reach, and perform food preparation duties for extended periods
• Ability to lift, carry, and move food supplies, groceries, and kitchen equipment, with or without reasonable accommodation
• Ability to safely operate standard kitchen equipment and food preparation tools
• May be exposed to heat, cold storage areas, cleaning products, and typical kitchen working conditions
• May require occasional travel for grocery shopping, food pickups, and program-related activities

• One or more years of experience in culinary services, community meal programs, institutional kitchens, or nonprofit food assistance programs
• Experience preparing meals for groups and accommodating various dietary needs
• Knowledge of basic nutrition, meal planning, food budgeting, and inventory management
• Experience coordinating food distribution, food pantry operations, or community-based meal services
• Experience assisting with nutrition education, cooking demonstrations, or community wellness activities
• Experience working with underserved or vulnerable populations
• Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish
• Familiarity with program documentation, inventory tracking, and grant-funded service requirements