Chef/Cook

The Learning Experience•Rosenberg, TX

About The Position

The Learning Experience is hiring a Chef/Cook to prepare nutritious, age-appropriate meals and snacks for children at an early childhood education center. The role manages daily food preparation, kitchen sanitation, inventory, purchasing, and meal service while following applicable nutrition, food safety, childcare, health, safety, and licensing requirements. The Chef/Cook works cooperatively with center leadership, teachers, staff, and families to support positive mealtimes and accommodate food allergies and dietary restrictions. The position also includes maintaining food quality and safe storage, monitoring attendance to prepare appropriate quantities, keeping required meal and snack records, and supporting center events and special meal needs when appropriate. The role requires standing for extended periods, bending, reaching, moving throughout the kitchen, and safely lifting up to 40 pounds. Reasonable accommodations may be available. Compensation is $12.00–$13.00 per hour.

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.
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.
Food Handler or equivalent certification where required.

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, ordering, and purchasing within the established budget.
Monitor food quality, expiration dates, and storage.
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 with teachers to support smooth meal and snack transitions.
Follow safe food handling, preparation, storage, cooking, and serving procedures, including maintaining appropriate food temperatures.
Clean and sanitize dishes, cookware, equipment, counters, and food preparation areas.
Maintain an organized kitchen and properly store food and supplies.
Follow applicable food service, sanitation, health, safety, and licensing requirements.
Prepare and serve food with attention to quality and consistency.
Support center events and special meal needs when appropriate.
Maintain professional and dependable working relationships with center leadership, teachers, staff, and families.