• Role is: Casual for the first three to six months, with the option to go part time or full time after. However, as a casual, we offer stability with shifts and still pay if a client cancels last minute. The role is three to four days a week, plus we'd love it if you worked every second Saturday morning - 3 hours.
• Location: Eastern suburbs - covering everywhere from Warburton through to Hampton Park ideally, but primarily based in Ringwood/Box Hill/Ferntree Gully. (We promise we won't make you drive from Warburton to Hampton Park in the same day though. We try to keep staff concentrated in one area a day.)

We are seeking a casual cooking instructor to work mostly weekdays with the occasional (very rare) weekend. Most work would take place during school hours, which means the role would suit primary child carers. This is a growth role, and the hours will increase over time - with scope to turn the role full time.

You are:

• A qualified chef or kick ass home cook (bonus if you specialise in an East Asian cuisine)
• A self starter who works well both alone and with others
• Someone willing to grow with a small business
• Patient, compassionate and kind
• Have a high energy personality when required
• Adaptable to different client requirements and learning abilities
• Experience working with children, elderly folks or people with disabilities will be highly regarded
• Ability to adapt recipes on a whim, when ingredients aren't available or clients don't like an ingredient (or are allergic to it) traditionally used in that recipe
• Recipes and shopping lists are provided BUT we would love you to be able to contribute ideas to our recipe bank
• Must own or be willing to purchase a car. Petrol allowance will be provided
• Be keen to get vaccinated as soon as possible, as the majority of our clients want vaccinated workers
• Bonus: Speak a second language, Mandarin or Cantonese especially favoured
• Above all, your personality is what will win you the role - this role can be, at times, a little obscure and your ability to adapt to whims is essential

The role:

A casual cooking instructor, teaching one-on-one cooking classes within people's homes, group classes at people's homes AND at hired kitchens, assisting at school holiday program and birthday party classes. We have three to four days worth of clients ready to go for the right candidate.

An average day involves shopping for ingredients at the supermarket, then driving to a client's house and spending between two and three hours cooking with them, helping them improve their cooking skills based on their individualised plan. There is a cap of 3 clients a day (2 hours each client) or 2 clients a day (3 hours each)

It's important to understand that within the disability space, you may become an extended member of the family, their main contact with the outside world or a close, personal friend. These are all encouraged, while still maintaining professional boundaries, but you may end up celebrating events or achievements with them, being someone for them to vent to (while resisting being a therapist!), helping them do minor jobs around the house (everything from answer the phone to shooing off door to door sales people to fixing a DVD player) and generally brightening their day with delicious food and a fun activity for them to partake in.

In your application, please tell us why you think you'd like this role and also your favourite spice.

This is a role that does not stop during lockdowns or case surges, so willingness to work outside of home during a pandemic is essential. We have a strong covid safety plan and support you and the clients to create the safest environment possible. You must also be comfortable working with clients who may not be vaccinated, due to various health reasons. However, you must be vaccinated with three doses or have your third dose booked before Feb 15th.

Other work can include: running or assisting in school holiday classes, running or assisting at children's birthday parties, hens/bucks nights or other cooking parties, presenting at festivals or public events.

The business:

Whipped Up (whippedup.com.au) is a small business focusing on small, customised cooking classes, primarily for children and adults with disabilities. About 90% of our work is within the disability space.

We were founded in July 2018 and are a completely mobile business (there's an unofficial head office in Balaclava though). It's a relaxed, welcoming little business (of 13 people), with a focus on creating fantastic experiences for clients, while also taking great care of anyone who is employed by us.

The salary:

Casual hourly rate of $32.20, plus super and travel/car allowance. Scope to go permanent part time or full time for the right candidate.