Chef/Cook

The Learning Experience•Gilbert, AZ

About The Position

The Learning Experience is hiring a Chef/Cook to prepare nutritious, age-appropriate meals and snacks for children in an early childhood education center. The role manages daily food preparation, meal service, kitchen sanitation, inventory, and purchasing while following approved menus, nutrition guidelines, and applicable food safety and childcare requirements. The Chef/Cook helps make mealtimes positive for children, coordinates with teachers and center staff, and communicates kitchen, menu, and supply information. The role maintains a safe, clean, organized, and compliant kitchen; follows procedures for allergies and dietary accommodations; keeps required records, including CACFP records when applicable; and supports center events or special meal needs when appropriate. This is an active position requiring extended standing, movement around the kitchen, bending and reaching, 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 certification or equivalent where required.
Must meet applicable licensing, background screening, health, and training requirements.
Ability to stand for extended periods, bend, reach, 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 and timely meal and snack service, helping create positive mealtimes for children.
Monitor attendance and prepare appropriate food quantities.
Manage food inventory, supplies, and ordering; 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 staff; coordinate with teachers to support smooth meal 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; keep the kitchen organized and supplies properly stored.
Follow applicable food service, sanitation, health, safety, and licensing requirements.
Manage purchasing and inventory within the established budget.
Prepare and serve food with attention to quality and consistency, maintain TLE standards, and support center events and special meal needs when appropriate.
Maintain professional and dependable working relationships with center leadership, teachers, and families.