Chef/Cook/Float Teacher
About The Position
The Learning Experience is hiring a Chef/Cook to prepare nutritious meals and snacks for children in an early childhood education center. The role manages daily food preparation, kitchen sanitation, inventory, and meal service while following applicable nutrition, food safety, and childcare requirements. The Chef/Cook prepares age-appropriate meals and snacks according to approved menus and nutrition guidelines, monitors attendance and food quantities, manages supplies and ordering, and maintains meal and snack records. The role supports positive mealtimes, coordinates with teachers and center staff, and communicates kitchen and meal-service needs to center leadership. The position is responsible for keeping the kitchen clean, organized, and compliant. This includes following safe food handling, preparation, storage, cooking, and serving procedures; monitoring food temperatures and quality; cleaning and sanitizing kitchen items and surfaces; and meeting applicable food service, health, safety, sanitation, and licensing requirements. The role also supports center events and special meal needs when appropriate.
Requirements
- High school diploma or GED, unless otherwise permitted by state requirements.
- Must be at least 18 years old.
- Knowledge of food preparation, sanitation, and safe food handling.
- Ability to follow menus, recipes, portions, and nutrition guidelines.
- Strong organization and time-management skills.
- Food Manager or equivalent certification where required.
- Must meet applicable licensing, background screening, health, and training requirements.
- Ability to stand for extended periods, bend, reach, and move throughout the kitchen, and safely lift up to 40 pounds.
Nice To Haves
- Food service experience in a childcare center, preschool, school, restaurant, cafeteria, catering, or commercial kitchen.
Responsibilities
- Prepare nutritious, age-appropriate meals and snacks and provide consistent, timely meal and snack service.
- Prepare meals according to approved menus and nutrition guidelines; monitor attendance and prepare appropriate food quantities.
- Manage food inventory, supplies, ordering, and purchasing within the established budget.
- Monitor food quality, expiration dates, storage, and appropriate food temperatures.
- Maintain required meal and snack records, including CACFP records when applicable.
- Follow procedures for food allergies, dietary restrictions, and accommodations.
- Communicate menu, supply, meal-service, and kitchen needs to center leadership and the center team.
- Work cooperatively with teachers and staff to support smooth meal and snack transitions and positive mealtimes.
- Follow food handling, preparation, storage, cooking, and serving procedures.
- Clean and sanitize dishes, cookware, equipment, counters, and food preparation areas; maintain an organized kitchen and properly stored food and supplies.
- Follow applicable food service, sanitation, health, safety, and licensing requirements.
- Prepare and serve food with attention to quality and consistency, and support center events and special meal needs when appropriate.
- Maintain professional and dependable working relationships with center leadership, teachers, and families.
- Contribute to a positive experience for children and families.
Benefits
- Free uniforms
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Training & development
- Vision insurance
- Dental insurance
- Employee discounts
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
High school or GED
