Chef/Cook

The Learning Experience - Gilbert-Higley • Gilbert, AZ

4d

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 position manages daily food preparation, kitchen sanitation, inventory, and meal service while following applicable nutrition, food safety, and childcare requirements. The Chef/Cook helps create positive mealtimes, works cooperatively with teachers and center staff, and maintains TLE standards for quality, safety, and service.

The role includes preparing meals according to approved menus and nutrition guidelines, monitoring attendance and food quantities, managing inventory and ordering, maintaining required records, and communicating kitchen needs to center leadership. The Chef/Cook follows procedures for allergies and dietary accommodations, maintains safe food handling and storage practices, cleans and sanitizes kitchen areas and equipment, and supports center events and special meal needs when appropriate.

This active role involves standing for extended periods, bending, reaching, and moving throughout the kitchen, and safely lifting up to 40 pounds. Reasonable accommodations may be available.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED required, 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 Handler 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 according to approved menus and nutrition guidelines.
• Provide consistent, timely meal and snack service and help make mealtimes positive for children.
• Monitor attendance and prepare appropriate food quantities.
• Manage food inventory, supplies, purchasing, and ordering within the established budget.
• Monitor food quality, expiration dates, and storage.
• Maintain required meal and snack records, including CACFP records when applicable.
• Communicate menu, supply, and kitchen needs to center leadership and the center team.
• Follow procedures for food allergies, dietary restrictions, and accommodations.
• Work with teachers to support smooth meal and snack transitions and maintain professional working relationships.
• Follow food handling, preparation, storage, cooking, and serving procedures, including maintaining appropriate food temperatures.
• Clean and sanitize dishes, cookware, equipment, counters, and food preparation areas; keep the kitchen organized and supplies properly stored.
• 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.
• Contribute to a positive experience for children and families.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Education Level: High school or GED