About Grow Cook Learn
The London Community Resource Centre (LCRC) is a charitable organization in London, ON, dedicated to building community through food education and security. Our Grow Cook Learn program offers hands-on cooking classes that promote nutrition literacy, foster community connections, and empower individuals through the joy of food.
Our workshops are popular community events, and to ensure a safe, high-energy, and supported experience for everyone, each session is powered by a dedicated team of four volunteers. We are looking for hands-on volunteers who are excited to join a supportive team and help guide our participants from the first prep task to the final kitchen reset.
A Look at the Volunteer Role
To ensure the workshop runs smoothly for our participants and our host venues, we require volunteers who can commit to the entire duration of the shift (4:00 PM – 9:30/10:00 PM). You will be part of a collaborative team helping across three key phases:
- Prep & Setup (4:00 PM – 6:00 PM): Preparing the kitchen by setting up stations, organizing tools, and assisting with ingredient prep (such as julienning vegetables, portioning, and preparing proteins).
- Workshop Support (6:00 PM – 8:00 PM): You will be assigned to a station to guide participants through techniques, ensure the safe use of tools, and foster a welcoming, social atmosphere.
- Clean-up & Kitchen Reset (8:00 PM – 9:30/10:00 PM): Ensuring we leave our host venues in professional condition. Depending on the venue, this involves either a 3-step sink method or an industrial dishwasher, along with sanitizing surfaces and sweeping/mopping.
Our Commitment to the Community: Because we operate with a specific team size to support our participants effectively, every volunteer's presence is vital. An early departure or a last-minute cancellation significantly impacts the program’s success and the workload of your fellow volunteers. We kindly ask that you only sign up for dates where you can fully commit to the 4:00 PM – 10:00 PM window.
Upcoming Workshop Opportunities
Please indicate your availability for the following sessions:
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Wednesday, March 25 (Youth Workshop): Sushi Skills
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Focus: Assisting youth (ages 12–25) with precision julienne knife skills and the technique of rolling sushi.
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Wednesday, April 15 (Youth Workshop): Holiday Dinner
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Focus: Guiding youth teams as they learn to season and roast a whole chicken with root vegetables.
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Wednesday, April 22 (Public Workshop): Mediterranean Mezze
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Focus: Supporting a family-style session making fresh tabbouleh, hummus from scratch, and quick pickles.
How to Apply
If you are ready to help us create a great meal and a fun experience for the London community, please confirm your interest via our volunteer sign-up form:
https://forms.gle/R5XjUfwd6hcn7kHy8
Confirmation Process: After reviewing applications, we will send a follow-up email to confirm your role. Please hold off on finalizing your plans until you receive this confirmation from the Program Coordinator.