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Temporary Cooking Jobs in Ontario (NOW HIRING)

Available opportunities include Temporary Part-Time, Casual. What you'll be doing * Serves food to ... Assists Cooks to clean and prepare such uncooked food as salads, vegetables, and fruits. Follow ...

Maintenir la station de travail propre, organisée, approvisionnée et sécuritaire en tout temps * Communiquer efficacement avec l'équipe de cuisine et le service afin d'assurer un déroulement ...

Executive Chef

Mississauga, ON · On-site

CA$65K - CA$70K/yr

... various cooking methods • Ability to manage food and labour costs, prepare and submit budget ... Monetary benefits will differ for salaried -part time and temporary positions. About Aramark At ...

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Temporary Cooking information

What is a temporary cook?

A temporary cooking job involves working as a cook or chef for a limited period, often to fill short-term staffing needs at restaurants, catering companies, events, or seasonal venues. These positions can range from a few days to several months and may involve tasks such as food preparation, cooking, serving, and maintaining kitchen cleanliness. Temporary cooks are often hired during busy periods, staff absences, or for special events, providing flexibility for both employers and employees.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a temporary cook?

To thrive as a Temporary Cook, you need solid culinary skills, knowledge of food safety regulations, and experience in a fast-paced kitchen environment, often supported by a food handler’s certificate. Familiarity with commercial kitchen equipment and point-of-sale systems is typically necessary. Strong time management, adaptability, and teamwork are crucial soft skills for success in ever-changing settings. These competencies ensure consistent food quality, efficient service, and smooth integration into diverse kitchen teams.

What are some common challenges faced by temporary cooks, and how can they adapt quickly to new kitchen environments?

Temporary cooks often face the challenge of adapting to unfamiliar kitchens, equipment, and team dynamics with little onboarding time. To succeed, it’s important to ask clear questions about kitchen protocols, observe how regular staff operate, and stay organized with prep and cleanup. Flexibility, strong communication, and a positive attitude can help temporary cooks integrate smoothly and contribute effectively, even in fast-paced or high-pressure settings.

What is the difference between Temporary Cooking vs Line Cook?

AspectTemporary CookingLine Cook
CredentialsMay require basic food safety certificationTypically requires culinary training or experience
Work EnvironmentTemporary kitchens, events, or short-term assignmentsConsistent kitchen environment, restaurant or food service
Employer & IndustryEvent companies, catering, temp agenciesRestaurants, hotels, food establishments
Search & Comparison IntentLooking for short-term cooking jobsSeeking ongoing kitchen roles

Temporary Cooking involves short-term, often event-based or contract-based cooking roles, while a Line Cook is a permanent or long-term position within a restaurant kitchen. Both roles require basic food safety knowledge, but Line Cooks typically need more culinary experience. Temporary Cooking offers flexibility and variety, whereas Line Cooks focus on consistent kitchen operations.

Can I get a temporary cooking job with no experience?

Temporary cooking jobs often do not require prior experience, as employers may provide on-the-job training. Basic skills such as the ability to follow instructions, work in a fast-paced environment, and maintain cleanliness are helpful. Certifications like food safety training can improve chances but are not always mandatory for entry-level positions.

How to become a temporary cooking?

To become a temporary cook, you typically need basic cooking skills, relevant experience, and sometimes a food handler's or sanitation certification. Many temporary cooking jobs require flexibility in scheduling and the ability to work in fast-paced environments. Applying through staffing agencies or directly to food service establishments is common.

What are the most commonly searched types of Cooking jobs in Ontario?

The most popular types of Cooking jobs in Ontario are:

Infographic showing various Temporary Cooking job openings in Ontario as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 62% Full Time, and 37% Part Time. Highlights an 100% Physical job distribution.

Food Service Associate (Tim Hortons)

Wilfrid Laurier University

Waterloo, ON

Full-time

Posted 17 days ago


Job description

Department: Student and Ancillary Services 

Job Type: Continuing

Full-time/Part-time: Full-time

Campus: Waterloo 

Reports to: General Manager, Food Services 

Employee Group: UFCW 

Application Deadline: Open until filled

Requisition ID: 11643 

Wilfrid Laurier University is a leading multi-campus university that excels at educating with purpose. Through its exceptional employees, students, researchers, leaders, and educators, Laurier has built a reputation as a world-class institution known for its rich student experience, academic excellence, and global impact. With a commitment to Indigenization and commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, Laurier's thriving community has a place for everyone.Laurier has more than 21,000 students and 2,100 faculty and staff across campuses in Waterloo and Brantford, as well locations in Kitchener and Milton. The university is committed to providing an inclusive workplace, a flexible work policy and employing a workforce that is reflective of local and national demographics. Laurier's Waterloo, Kitchener, and Brantford campuses are located on the shared traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishnaabe, and Haudenosaunee peoples. This land is part of the Dish with One Spoon Treaty between the Haudenosaunee and Anishnaabe peoples and symbolizes the agreement to share, protect our resources, and not to engage in conflict.  Laurier's Milton campus is located on the traditional territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit, and part of the Nanfan Treaty of 1701 between the British Crown and the Haudenosaunee Confederacy.

Position Summary 

At Laurier, we are a community. It's what brings our students here and what keeps our people here. As an educational institution, we inspire lives of leadership and purpose in our student community. As an employer, we seek, foster and value the same qualities of leadership and purpose in our community. Within Food Services, our commitment is to provide the highest quality foods, prepared right in front of your eyes by friendly, energetic people in an open and relaxing atmosphere. This position involves interacting with the public in a friendly and efficient manner, while delivering quick, accurate and clean service using a team approach. Employees must adhere to food standards and health and safety practices. This position requires the incumbent to stand continuously, moving around the kitchen or service area and possibly in and out of freezers and/or refrigerators. The work environment can be warm, noisy and occasionally crowded. 

Accountabilities 

  • Preparing food and beverages at any of our facilities.
  • Use of industrial cooking and beverage equipment 
  • Maintains high quality food preparation keeping waste to a minimum
  • Organizing and stocking of station over the course of your shift
  • Maintains a clean station and completes duties on daily cleaning sheets
  • Communicate with Customers, Clients and Employees in a professional positive manner
  • Adheres to FIFO and Day Dot practices on all product used
  • Set up and tear down of multiple catering orders daily
  • Maintaining open communication with the Catering Manager in regards to catering orders, inventory needs, etc.
  • Make trays, sandwiches and other catering items as required
  • Ensure daily consistency and customer service objectives/satisfaction are met or exceeded
  • Set up of stations as required
  • Operate cash register when required
  • Assist on different stations in Fresh Food Company as necessary
  • Maintain Catering standards
  • Daily sign off of: production sheets, temp logs, waste logs, cleaning sheets
  • Other duties as assigned

Customer Service

  • Follow the "WEST" model for customer service (welcome, engage, smile and thank you) while taking orders and requests
  • Interact with customers at station and exceed their service expectations

Policies and Procedures

  • Follow and adhere to all food services policies and procedures, including, but not limited to:
    • FIFO and Day Dot practices
    • Food temperature checks
    • Quality checking (i.e. expiration dates)
  • Adhere to all government/University policies and legislation, including but not limited to:
    • Food Safety and Sanitation
    • Occupational Health and Safety
    • Workers Compensation
    • Employment Standards
    • Human Rights & Labour Law and Harassment

Qualifications 

  • Strong knowledge of POS system and operating procedures
  • Excellent customer service skills
  • Exceptional communication skills
  • Excellent Time Management Skills
  • High attention to detail
  • Team orientated
  • Continuously striving for improvement
  • Previous experience in a food service operation is beneficial
  • Knowledge of industrial cooking equipment or coffee equipment is preferred
  • Must be able to work in any area of the restaurant when needed and to operate a computerized POS system/cash register.
  • Ability to lift 10 - 30 pounds

Hours of Work: This is a full-time position. Full-time positions are 25 hours to a maximum of forty (40) paid hours per week and a maximum of eight (8) paid hours per day. The Food Services operation is a seven day a week operation and you may be occasionally required to work outside your regularly scheduled work hours. This position is subject to lay-off in December, reading weeks and mid-April to September every year. 

Compensation:

Hourly Rate: $18.08 per hour

Full-time employees can choose to participate in the Extended Health and Benefit Plan and contribute to a group RRSP. Alternatively, full-time employees may opt out of one or both plans and receive an additional 4% in lieu of benefits and 4% in lieu of RRSP, resulting in a higher hourly rate. This is reflected in the salary range noted above.

Wilfrid Laurier University endeavors to fill positions with qualified candidates who have a combination of education, experience, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position while demonstrating Laurier's Employee Success Factors.

Equity, diversity and creating a culture of inclusion are part of Laurier's core values and central to the Laurier Strategy. Laurier is committed to increasing the diversity of faculty and staff and welcomes applications from candidates who identify as Indigenous, racialized, having disabilities, and from persons of any minority sexual and gender identities. Indigenous candidates who would like to learn more about equity and inclusive programing at Laurier are welcomed to contact the Office of Indigenous Initiatives. Candidates from other equity deserving groups who would like to learn more about equity and inclusive programing at Laurier are welcomed to contact Equity & Accessibility. We have strived to make our application process accessible, however if you require any assistance applying for a position or would like this job posting in an alternative format, please contact Human Resources. Contact information can be found at careers.wlu.ca/content/How-to-apply/

Should you be interested in learning more about this opportunity, please visit www.wlu.ca/careers for additional information and the online application system. All applications must be submitted online. Please note, a resume and cover letter will be required in electronic form.