Job Type: Freelance

Commitment: 1.5 days x 3 months

Responsible to: Founder and Operations Manager

Responsible for: Volunteers and kitchen support on delivery days

About Carib Eats

Carib Eats is a community-based organisation with a mission to enrich the lives of our Caribbean communities and those connected to the Black Community in London through food, culture, and connection. Our work addresses social isolation and food insecurity by offering culturally relevant meals and events in safe, welcoming spaces. We operate weekly canteens and cultural workshops, bringing people together to celebrate their heritage, share stories, and support each other.

In a nutshell we are in the business of connection.Our Camden project will activate space at the O2 Centre as a new community-led food and culture hub. This role is central to making that happen.

Overview

The Community Chef will play a central role in delivering Carib Eats’ Camden pilot, supporting community canteen days, supper clubs, and food-led connection events. The role focuses on cooking nourishing Caribbean-inspired food in a welcoming, dignified community setting.

This is a hands-on role working closely with the Carib Eats team, volunteers, and partners to deliver consistent, high-quality meals while supporting the wider ethos of connection, culture, and care.

Key Responsibilities

Programme and Operational Delivery

• Plan, prepare and cook Caribbean or Caribbean-inspired meals, with a strong focus on vegetarian and vegan dishes
• Cook confidently at scale for community canteen days and events
• Support delivery of paid supper clubs and special events where required
• Work within food safety, hygiene and health and safety requirements
• Manage ingredients, portions and food preparation on delivery days
• Minimise waste and support use of surplus food where appropriate
• Support kitchen setup, service and breakdown
• Work positively alongside volunteers and community members
• Communicate clearly with the Operations Manager around menu needs and timings

Food Safety and Compliance

• Hold Food Hygiene Level 2
• Follow agreed food safety procedures and risk assessments
• Support safe food storage, reheating and service on site
• Maintain a clean, organised and calm kitchen environment

Community and Culture

• Help create a warm, welcoming environment where people feel comfortable and respected
• Engage positively with people from different backgrounds and age groups
• Work in line with Carib Eats’ values of dignity, inclusion and cultural respect
• Represent Carib Eats professionally during delivery

Skills and Experience

• Experience cooking Caribbean or Caribbean-inspired food
• Confidence cooking vegetarian and vegan meals
• Experience cooking for groups, events or community settings
• Organised, reliable and calm under pressure
• Friendly, approachable and comfortable working with people
• Able to work independently while collaborating with a small team

Experience with community food projects, pop-ups or catering is helpful but not essential. What matters most is skill, attitude and the ability to deliver consistently in a fast-moving environment.

What You’ll Gain

• Paid freelance work with a values-led organisation
• The opportunity to be part of Carib Eats’ expansion into Camden
• Creative input into menus and food-led events
• Experience delivering food in a high-profile community pilot
• A supportive and collaborative working environment

You will be required to be flexible in your role. This is not an exhaustive list of duties and responsibilities that may evolve as the pilot develops.

How to Apply

To apply, please email your CV and a short personal statement to:

caribeatscamden@gmail.com

In your personal statement, please answer the following four questions:

1. What relevant experience do you bring to this role?
2. Why are you interested in working with Carib Eats and this Camden pilot?
3. What experience do you have cooking for groups, events, or community settings?
4. How do your values and approach to food align with community-led work and cultural connection?

Closing date: 28 January 2025, 12pm