Kitchen Programming Consultant

Northern Children Services•Philadelphia, PA

13h•$43 - $50•Onsite

About The Position

Northern seeks an experienced Kitchen Programming Consultant to help launch and build this new kitchen program. This is a hands-on, start-up role ideal for someone who enjoys designing systems, cooking, teaching, and building community partnerships. The consultant will establish kitchen operations, develop menus and programming, support the integration of the food pantry and garden, and help lay the foundation for a future full-time kitchen/program position.

Requirements

Experience working in or managing commercial kitchens
Menu development and food preparation experience
Knowledge of food safety standards; ServSafe Manager Certification preferred or willingness to obtain.
Experience working with children, youth, or families
Strong teaching, facilitation, and organizational skills
High School Diploma or equivalent.

Nice To Haves

Background in culinary arts, nutrition, public health, or food systems
Experience or interest in using food and cooking as tools for education, skill-building, or community engagement
Familiarity with food justice, culturally responsive cooking, and budget-conscious meal planning
Experience integrating garden-grown or local produce

Responsibilities

Kitchen Launch & Operations
Lead the operational launch of the newly renovated commercial kitchen
Develop standard operating procedures for food safety, sanitation, equipment use, storage, and inventory
Create kitchen schedules aligned with program needs
Support compliance with health and safety regulations
Menu Development & Meal Preparation
Design nutritionally balanced, culturally responsive, cost-conscious menus
Prioritize fresh, whole foods and seasonal ingredients, including produce from Northern’s on-campus garden
Prepare meals on-site for residential and program participants
Nutrition Education & Life-Skills Programming
Design and facilitate hands-on workshops for youth and young parents focused on cooking skills, nutrition, meal planning, and food safety
Adapt programming for different age groups using trauma-informed, strengths-based approaches
Collaborate with program staff to integrate food and nutrition into existing services
Food Pantry & Food Access
Support the expansion of Northern’s community food pantry, including fresh and perishable foods
Align kitchen production with pantry distribution and educational programming
Partnerships & Sourcing
Build relationships with local food vendors, farms, food banks, restaurants, and suppliers
Support discounted purchasing agreements and in-kind donations
Collaborate with development staff to align partnerships with fundraising and stewardship efforts
Garden-to-Kitchen Integration
Help develop a plan to utilize Northern’s campus garden
Coordinate with the Director of Recreation and Volunteerism to support volunteer groups
Integrate garden-grown produce into meals, pantry distribution, and educational programming
Training & Sustainability
Train staff, interns, and volunteers on kitchen procedures and programming support
Document systems and processes
Provide recommendations for transitioning to a long-term, full-time role