Chef/Cook Part-Time
About The Position
The Learning Experience is hiring a part-time Chef/Cook to prepare nutritious, age-appropriate meals and snacks for children at its early childhood education center. The role manages daily food preparation, kitchen sanitation, inventory, and meal service while following applicable nutrition, food safety, childcare, and licensing requirements. The Chef/Cook prepares food according to approved menus and nutrition guidelines, monitors attendance to plan appropriate quantities, maintains food inventory and records, and communicates kitchen needs to center leadership. The role also supports positive mealtimes and smooth meal transitions in collaboration with teachers and center staff. This active position requires standing for extended periods, bending, reaching, moving throughout the kitchen, and safely lifting up to 40 pounds. Reasonable accommodations may be available.
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 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, recipes, portions, and nutrition guidelines.
- Provide consistent and timely meal and snack service and help create positive mealtimes 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.
- Communicate supply, kitchen, menu, and meal-service information to center leadership and the center team.
- Follow procedures for food allergies, dietary restrictions, and accommodations.
- Work cooperatively with teachers and center staff to support smooth meal and snack transitions.
- Follow food handling, preparation, storage, cooking, and serving procedures, including maintaining appropriate food temperatures and safe storage.
- 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, support center events and special meal needs when appropriate, and contribute to a positive experience for children and families.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Part-time
Education Level
High school or GED
