Community Cooking Workshop Facilitator (2026)

The Boroondara Volunteer Resource Centre is advertising this role on behalf of Craig Family Centre.

Volunteer Opportunity: Community Cooking Workshop Facilitator Location: Craig Family Centre, Ashburton Start Date: From 12th February 2026 Time Commitment: Fortnightly on Thursdays, 1.00pm - 3.00pm

About the Role:

Do you love to cook simple, healthy meals and want to share your skills with others? The Craig Family Centre is seeking warm, community-minded volunteers to lead culturally diverse cooking workshops focused on affordable and nutritious meals. We’re not looking for gourmet chefs—just everyday home cooks who want to share a favourite recipe from their own background, culture, or family kitchen. These workshops are designed to support families and community members facing the rising cost of living by equipping them with practical cooking knowledge, while also fostering connection and cultural exchange through food. This is your chance to:

• Teach others how to cook a healthy, budget-friendly dish from your culture
• Share tips, techniques, and personal food stories
• Enjoy a shared meal with participants
• Help others build confidence in the kitchen
• Be part of a meaningful food equity initiative

Workshops will take place in our well-equipped kitchen, with support from staff and a budget for food and supplies. You’ll lead up to 7 participants in a friendly, inclusive space, teaching your recipe from start to finish and sharing the meal together afterward. You can volunteer for just one session, or multiple, depending on your interest and availability.

Workshop Dates:

• 12th February
• 26th February
• 12th March
• 26th March

We are flexible with timing if your recipe requires a longer cooking period.

What We Provide:

• A fully equipped kitchen and cooking space
• A small budget for ingredients (we’ll pay for the shopping list)
• Promotional and admin support from our team
• Insurance coverage for all volunteers
• Opportunity to be featured in our community recipe book at the end of term

Key Responsibilities:

• Plan and lead a practical cooking session for a small group (up to 7 people)
• Share a healthy and affordable recipe from your home or culture
• Assist with food prep, cooking, and group guidance (staff support available)
• Promote a positive, welcoming space for learning and sharing
• Sit down with the group to enjoy the meal together

Skills & Experience (desirable but not essential):

• Passion for cooking and sharing food
• Interest in health, nutrition, or food equity
• Clear communication and ability to guide a small group
• Cultural knowledge or home cooking skills
• Experience in facilitation or working with diverse groups (optional)

About the Craig Family Centre:

The Craig Family Centre is a not-for-profit neighbourhood house in Ashburton that offers programs to promote connection, learning, creativity, and wellbeing across all ages. This cooking series is part of our food equity initiative, aiming to support families with accessible, affordable meal ideas during challenging economic times. We believe that communities are built around the sharing of food, and this program is designed to do just that—create space for learning, storytelling, and belonging. At the end of Term, all the shared recipes will be compiled into a special community cookbook, celebrating the contributions of our volunteer facilitators and giving participants a lasting resource they can use at home.

Why Volunteer With Us?

• Share your culture and connect through food
• Help community members learn essential cooking skills
• Contribute to a meaningful and practical food access program
• Gain experience in facilitation or community engagement
• Be part of something warm, inclusive, and nourishing—for everyone involved

We welcome first-time volunteers and experienced facilitators alike. If you’ve ever wanted to teach others how to cook that one dish your family always asks for—this is the perfect place to start. Let’s cook, share, and grow together. Get in touch—we’d love to hear what recipe you’d like to bring to the table.