Six Week Training Programme
Cake or Dice is looking for friendly and reliable volunteers to join our kitchen team through our structured six week training programme.
This is more than a washing-up or cleaning role. You will learn how our café kitchen operates, how to prepare our menu items and how to manage a normal kitchen shift confidently and safely.
You do not need professional kitchen experience or to consider yourself a chef. We will provide guidance, practical training and support throughout the programme.
About the programme
The programme lasts for six weeks, with one four-hour shift each week.
You will begin by learning the basics of working safely in the kitchen and gradually take on more responsibility as your confidence develops.
By the end of the programme, the aim is for you to be able to manage a normal Cake or Dice kitchen shift independently, with a duty manager available elsewhere in the café if support is needed.
Our kitchen is usually steady rather than extremely busy, and our menu and equipment are designed to be manageable once you have been properly trained.
What you will learn
During the programme, you will receive practical training in:
- Kitchen orientation and safe working practices
- Food hygiene and allergen procedures
- Washing dishes and using the dishwasher
- Keeping the kitchen clean, safe and organised
- Checking dates, labels and food storage
- Preparing salad vegetables and other ingredients
- Preparing and cooking our regular menu items
- Using equipment such as the Merrychef, grills and Ninja oven
- Managing several customer orders at once
- Communicating with the front-of-house team
- Checking stock and reporting unavailable items
- Kitchen opening and closing procedures
- Managing a standard kitchen shift independently
You will not be expected to prepare complicated dishes from scratch or work at the pace of a large commercial restaurant.
What you might be doing
A typical kitchen shift may include:
- Preparing ingredients before opening
- Cooking café meals and snacks to order
- Organising incoming customer orders
- Washing dishes and kitchen equipment
- Cleaning work surfaces and preparation areas
- Restocking ingredients and supplies
- Checking food dates and labels
- Putting away deliveries
- Emptying bins and separating waste
- Completing opening or closing routines
Everyone in the kitchen helps with cleaning, washing up and food preparation.
Who we are looking for
Previous kitchen experience is welcome but not required.
We are mainly looking for someone who:
- Is willing to learn and take on responsibility gradually
- Can attend one agreed four-hour shift each week
- Is reliable and communicates clearly
- Is comfortable helping with cleaning and washing up
- Can follow instructions and food safety procedures
- Can remain organised when several orders come in
- Would like to build confidence in a working café kitchen
- Is comfortable eventually working independently during a normal shift
We understand that people learn at different speeds. You will not be left to manage the kitchen alone until both you and the duty manager feel that you are ready.
What you will receive
- Six weeks of structured practical training
- Experience preparing food in a working café kitchen
- Food hygiene and allergen training
- Support from trained duty managers
- Experience managing a kitchen shift
- Increased confidence and workplace skills
- Experience that may support future volunteering, training or employment
- A friendly and inclusive volunteering environment
At the end of the six weeks, we will review your progress with you. Volunteers who complete the programme may be invited to continue as part of our regular kitchen team.
About Cake or Dice
Cake or Dice is an inclusive community café and board game space in Dundee.
We provide a welcoming place where people can meet, build confidence, learn practical skills and become part of a supportive community. Our volunteers are an essential part of how the café operates.
Pay: £1.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company events
- Discounted or free food
- Flexible schedule
Work Location: In person
