Community Chef Volunteer

UBHP is hosting a 6-week culinary career‑readiness program launching July 13, 2026, in Central Harlem, training young adults and Haitian immigrant participants to earn their NYC Food Handlers License while preparing free meals for hundreds of food‑insecure Central Harlem residents each week. We are seeking a professional chef to volunteer their time, culinary expertise, and teaching skills to lead hands‑on kitchen sessions in a licensed commercial kitchen. You will work directly with participants who are learning kitchen fundamentals, food safety, recipe development, and professional food preparation, many of them for the first time in a professional kitchen setting. Every Monday session produces free community meals, which are distributed through a Tuesday food pantry. Every Wednesday session produces fresh market items, which are sold and distributed at our Harlem farm stand. Your skills feed real neighbors and open real career doors for young people in your community. Volunteer Responsibilities Lead structured cooking sessions in a licensed commercial kitchen in Central Harlem Teach hands‑on culinary techniques, including knife skills, mise en place, safe food handling, cooking methods, and recipe execution Support participants in preparing nutritious, culturally relevant meals using fresh ingredients sourced from local New York State farms Model professional kitchen behavior such as time management, communication, sanitation, and teamwork Guide participants through the NYC Food Protection Course curriculum and reinforce food safety concepts through practical application Conduct live cooking demonstrations at the Harlem farmers market on select Saturdays and Sundays alongside Haitian participant Community Chefs Provide constructive feedback and encouragement to participants, building culinary confidence for the first time in a professional setting Collaborate with program coordinators on session planning, ingredient sourcing, and participant progress Complete a brief session log after each visit (15 minutes), documenting techniques covered and participant progress Skills and Qualifications Required Professional culinary experience as a working chef, culinary instructor, catering professional, or food service industry veteran NYC Food Handlers License (or equivalent food safety certification) Ability to teach and demonstrate cooking techniques to beginners in a group setting Patience, adaptability, and genuine commitment to community‑based education Reliability, consistent weekly presence for the 6‑week program period Preferred Experience teaching or mentoring in workforce development, community, or youth settings Experience with farm‑to‑table ingredient sourcing and seasonal cooking Learn more: 253 Broadway, 8th floor, New York, NY 10007 #J-18808-Ljbffr NYC Service