Cooking Leader Role Description
What is a Hub Leader?
FoodCycle’s Hub Leaders are a team of 6 to 8 inspirational volunteers that manage our Hubs and keep them cooking every week. The incredible work of our Hub Leaders allowed 36,000 meals to be produced last year; each one served with a smile to vulnerable people right across the country.
The Cooking Leader role is exactly as it sounds! It involves coordinating and leading the Hub’s cooking sessions, and supporting volunteers in the kitchen to create fantastic three-course meals! This is a great way to use your existing culinary genius for good, while developing new cooking skills and ideas all the time.
FoodCycle provides training for Hub Leaders in all different aspects of being a Hub Leader at our annual Hub Leader Conference, and supports each team throughout the year to develop these skills. This year, nearly 80% of Hub Leaders said that the skills they gained by being a Hub Leader would be useful for getting a job.
Whether you want to gain experience to boost your CV, or put the skills you already have to good use, becoming a Hub Leader is a unique volunteering opportunity to take real responsibility for leading and developing a community project in your local area. And don’t just take our word for it…98% of Hub Leaders would recommend it to a friend!
What does the role involve?
All Hub Leaders are expected to:
ü As a team ensure that your Hub cooks a community meal each week – you might lead in the kitchen once or twice a month.
ü Support other members of the team to succeed in their specific roles
ü Take joint responsibility for any areas of the project not covered by other specific roles
ü Be responsive and communicate with your fellow Hub Leaders and your Hub Manager at FoodCycle Central
ü Complete Level 2 Food Safety qualification before leading a cooking session
ü Complete Hub Reporting form online after every cooking session
ü Support and empower volunteers to get involved and learn at their Hub
ü Assist with recruitment of new Hub Leaders
ü Attend Hub Leader meetings and meeting with Hub Manager every 2 months
ü Attend FoodCycle’s annual weekend conference in October
ü Work with your team to nominate two Hub Leaders to attend FoodCycle’s mid-year conference in April
ü Look to continually improve and develop the Hub
Cooking Leaders will also be responsible for:
ü Running cooking sessions, leading a team of volunteers to create a three-course meal in a limited timeframe
ü Inducting new volunteers into the kitchen
ü Encouraging the whole kitchen team to input into planning a menu
ü Ensuring the menu is tasty, healthy and nutritionally balanced
ü Ensuring that the Hub’s supply of dry/tinned goods is kept well stocked
Although each Hub Leader has their own role, with specific responsibilities, Hub Leader teams take joint responsibility for making their project a success, supporting each other so that you can all succeed and run an amazing Hub!
What are the Time commitments?
Hub Leaders volunteer on average 4 hours per week for activities related to their Hub, which includes cooking sessions, meetings, fundraising, promotion of the Hub and more.
FoodCycle Hub Leaders are normally expected to take on the role for a minimum period of nine months to ensure the stability of the Hub. It is possible to become a Hub Leader for a shorter period than this, but please let us know when you apply!
What we are looking for…
· a passion for FoodCycle’s mission – to reduce food waste, food poverty and tackle loneliness in society
· a desire to develop leadership skills, to inspire and lead other volunteers at your Hub
· good listening and teamwork skills – Hub Leaders work with a wide range of volunteers and guests, many of whom will be vulnerable
· good verbal and written communication
· people who are reliable and organised – the project will depend on the Hub Leaders to run it each week
· people who are able to take the initiative and innovate to keep developing and growing the Hub
How can I apply to be a Hub Leader?
To apply for a Hub Leader role, please download and complete the application form here (foodcycle.org.uk/get-stuck-in/become-a-hub-leader/) and email this to .