Youth Chef
Location: BCCA Community Kitchen, 2455 Fraser Street, Vancouver, BC
Who we are
The BC Community Alliance (BCCA) is a local Black-led, community-based organization formed in 2019 and registered as a nonprofit in 2020. BCCA is dedicated to addressing structural inequities created by racism, especially anti-Black racism, and advancing equity, safety, wellbeing and economic mobility for Black, African and Caribbean communities in British Columbia.
The organization was born out of a crisis in our community following a racist bomb threat at Lord Byng Secondary School in Vancouver. Although this incident was foundational to BCCA’s formation, we are more accurately understood as a response to the racism and structural barriers experienced by Black and racialized communities.
Through Fraser Street Studios and the Community Venture Hub, BCCA creates spaces where youth and community members can develop skills, explore their creativity, build businesses, access mentorship and develop pathways toward economic opportunity and community leadership.
The BCCA Community Kitchen is an important part of that vision. We want the kitchen to be a place where food is used to celebrate culture, preserve culinary traditions, bring generations together, develop young leaders and create opportunities for emerging food entrepreneurs.
Who we’re looking for
BC Community Alliance is looking for an energetic, community-minded and emerging Youth Chef to join our team on a contract basis.
We are particularly interested in someone who is passionate about food rooted in African, Caribbean and historical Black culinary traditions and who wants to grow their culinary, leadership and entrepreneurial skills.
This is not simply a kitchen-support position. It is intended to be a developmental leadership opportunity.
The Youth Chef will work alongside experienced chefs, guest chefs, mentors, elders, cultural knowledge holders, food entrepreneurs, facilitators and BCCA staff. Through hands-on experience, mentorship and increasing responsibility, we want the successful candidate to develop the skills required to eventually help lead programming and kitchen operations at Fraser Street Kitchen.
We are looking for someone who enjoys working with people and sees food as a way to support culture, storytelling, community connection, entrepreneurship and intergenerational learning.
First impressions are an important part of our work. Your demeanour, reliability, curiosity, cultural awareness, knowledge and helpfulness will be influential when representing the BCCA brand and welcoming community members into the space.
What you’ll do
Cultural Food & Culinary Programming
- Prepare and help develop meals inspired by African, Caribbean and historical Black cuisines, including traditional dishes and thoughtful contemporary interpretations.
- Help create culinary programming that celebrates the histories, cultures, ingredients and food traditions of Black communities.
- Work alongside guest chefs, elders, mentors and cultural knowledge holders to learn recipes, techniques, food histories and traditions that can be shared with younger generations and the broader community.
- Help document recipes, culinary traditions and food stories so that cultural knowledge can be preserved and incorporated into future BCCA programming.
- Support the development of signature meals, menus and food experiences connected to Fraser Street Kitchen, Fraser Street Studios and Community Venture Hub programming.
Showcases, Community Meals & Events
- Support and help deliver cooking workshops, demonstrations, community meals, cultural food showcases, pop-ups and special events.
- Help organize opportunities where African, Caribbean and Black cuisines can be shared and celebrated with community members.
- Support Community Venture Hub showcases and markets where youth and emerging entrepreneurs can present, demonstrate and sell food or food-related products.
- Help prepare participants for catering opportunities, community events, product demonstrations and markets.
- Assist with event menus, food preparation, portioning, presentation and service.
Youth & Food Entrepreneurship
- Support youth and emerging food entrepreneurs developing recipes, food products, catering concepts or food businesses.
- Assist participants with recipe testing, food costing, portion control, packaging, inventory and preparation.
- Help young entrepreneurs understand the practical considerations involved in turning a recipe or food idea into something that can be sold or showcased.
- Work alongside mentors and experienced food professionals who can provide participants with technical, culinary and business guidance.
- Encourage a supportive environment where young people can experiment, learn and build confidence.
Kitchen Operations
- Support the safe, clean and organized use of the BCCA Community Kitchen.
- Follow and promote food-safety, sanitation and proper food-handling practices.
- Help maintain kitchen procedures, cleaning schedules, inventory and equipment checklists.
- Assist with monitoring ingredients, supplies and kitchen inventory.
- Help maintain records related to kitchen usage, supplies, attendance, programming and incidents.
- Support coordination of kitchen activities with Fraser Street Studios, Community Venture Hub and other BCCA programs.
- Work collaboratively with guest chefs, mentors, facilitators, volunteers and community partners using the kitchen.
Leadership Development
A major purpose of this position is to develop the next generation of culinary leadership within our community.
The Youth Chef will:
- Receive mentorship from experienced chefs, food entrepreneurs and community leaders.
- Learn more about menu planning, purchasing, food costing, supplier relationships, inventory and kitchen operations.
- Develop experience facilitating workshops and supporting other young people in the kitchen.
- Gradually take on greater responsibility for coordinating kitchen activities and programs.
- Build the confidence and skills necessary to help lead community meals, workshops and cultural culinary programming.
- Develop toward a future role in which they can help oversee the kitchen, mentor younger participants and contribute to the long-term direction of BCCA Community Kitchen.
Our goal is not simply to hire someone to prepare food. We want to identify, invest in and develop emerging culinary leadership that can grow with BCCA and eventually help carry the kitchen forward.
What you bring
We recognize that a Youth Chef may still be developing professionally. We are therefore interested in potential, cultural knowledge, practical experience, curiosity and commitment to learning, not only formal credentials.
The ideal candidate will bring some combination of:
- Experience cooking in a commercial, community, educational, catering, restaurant, family, cultural or shared-kitchen environment.
- A strong interest in, knowledge of, or meaningful connection to African, Caribbean and Black culinary traditions.
- Enthusiasm for learning about the histories and cultural significance of different foods and cuisines.
- Knowledge of food safety, sanitation and basic kitchen operations.
- Experience participating in or facilitating cooking activities, workshops, community programs or events.
- An interest in working with youth, entrepreneurs and community members.
- Strong communication and relationship-building skills.
- Good organization, attention to detail and reliability.
- A patient, supportive and culturally responsive approach.
- Curiosity and a willingness to receive mentorship, feedback and training.
- An interest in developing leadership skills and taking on greater responsibility over time.
- Ability to work independently when required while also contributing to a collaborative kitchen environment.
- Availability for some evening and weekend programming.
FOODSAFE certification or an equivalent qualification is strongly preferred. BCCA may also consider candidates who are willing to obtain appropriate certification as part of their professional development.
Experience with food costing, inventory, menu planning, catering, food entrepreneurship or product testing is an asset but is not required.
Formal chef credentials are welcome but are not required where a candidate demonstrates strong practical ability, cultural culinary knowledge, community involvement and a willingness to learn.
What we offer
- Approximately 12 hours per week at $22–$25 per hour.
- Flexible scheduling, including some evening and weekend programming.
- Hands-on culinary and leadership experience.
- Mentorship from chefs, food entrepreneurs, cultural knowledge holders and community leaders.
- Ongoing learning and professional development opportunities.
- Exposure to food entrepreneurship, markets, catering and community programming.
- Opportunities to help create cultural food showcases and community dining experiences.
- Increasing leadership opportunities as skills and experience develop.
- The opportunity to help shape and grow the BCCA Community Kitchen.
- A diverse and inclusive workplace with a strong culture of collaboration and teamwork.
- The opportunity to contribute to a space intentionally designed to celebrate and strengthen Black, African and Caribbean communities.
Grow with us
Don’t meet all the requirements but are still interested in applying?
We are all on a journey to learn and grow. This position is intentionally designed to give an emerging chef the opportunity to learn through mentorship and hands-on experience.
If you bring some of the skills above, have a passion for African, Caribbean or Black culinary traditions, and believe you can make an impact in this role, we would love to hear from you.
We are especially interested in candidates who can see themselves growing beyond the immediate position developing from Youth Chef into someone capable of leading programs, mentoring the next generation and helping steward Fraser Street Kitchen in the future.
Accessibility, equity and inclusion
If you require accommodations when completing an application, interviewing or otherwise participating in our hiring process, please contact [email protected].
BCCA is strengthened by diversity. As a Black-led and founded organization, we are committed to building a workplace that is equitable, inclusive and representative of Canada’s diverse Black population.
BCCA is committed to providing an accessible and barrier-free recruitment and selection process. If contacted for an employment opportunity, please advise us if you require accommodation during any part of the process.
Pay: $18.25-$22.00 per hour
Expected hours: 15.0 per week
Benefits:
- Company events
- Discounted or free food
- Profit sharing
Application question(s):
- Why do you want to work with us?
Education:
- Secondary School (preferred)
Experience:
- African/Carribean/Black cuisine: 5 years (required)
Language:
Licence/Certification:
Location:
- Vancouver, BC (preferred)
Willingness to travel:
Work Location: In person
