Children's Center - Cook 0602

Associated Students, CSUF•Fullerton, CA

About The Position

The Cook prepares meals from scratch and serves breakfast, lunch, snacks, and supper for children enrolled in the Children’s Center and staff who eat with them. Meals should be delicious, diverse, attractive, and nutritious, encourage positive attitudes about eating, and meet the quantity, composition, and quality criteria of the Child and Adult Care Food Program. The Cook works with staff to support the mission, philosophy, and goals of the ASI Children's Center Program. The role plans a minimum four-week cycle menu, stocks and tracks kitchen supplies, prepares and portions food, adapts meals for infants and children with allergies, and maintains required food-program records. It also includes maintaining kitchen cleanliness and safety, training and supervising Kitchen Assistants, and completing required health, safety, and child-protection training. The position is part-time and reports to the Director, Children’s Center.

Requirements

One year of experience cooking for a group.
Food Handling Certificate.
Knowledge of effective cooking techniques, food safety, and sanitation; ability to follow and adjust recipes accurately.
Maintain current Pediatric First Aid and CPR certification.
Ability to learn and follow proper record-keeping procedures.
Ability to compute quantities accurately and maintain careful records of quantities prepared and served.
Interest in serving attractive, nutritious meals to young children and understanding nutrition principles for developing children.
Ability to work with children and adults within the established structure and philosophy of the Children's Center.
Ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds and interests and collaborate constructively with coworkers, customers, and others.
Must pass a pre-employment TB test and provide proof of pertussis and measles immunizations; flu immunization is optional with a Declination of Vaccination form.
Employment is contingent on satisfactory employment history and criminal background investigation.
Must be a Mandatory Reporter and sign the ASI Mandatory Reporter Form.
May be required to drive occasionally; a valid driver’s license and current auto insurance must be on file and the employee must meet CSURMA driving standards.
Ability to lift no more than 30 pounds and meet the stated physical requirements of the role.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with young children.
Coursework in culinary arts.
Working knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel.

Responsibilities

Plan at least a four-week cycle menu for breakfasts, lunches, snacks, and suppers, with varied meals and seasonal fruits and vegetables; introduce new items periodically.
Maintain kitchen pantry supplies; prepare shopping lists, place orders, shop as needed, maintain inventory, and report equipment needs to the Director.
Prepare breakfast, lunch, afternoon snack, and supper in advance; portion meals for classrooms and help deliver them.
Adapt foods for infants and children with allergies, and store leftover food properly and safely.
Maintain accurate daily food-program reports, including menus, quantities required and used, and numbers served.
Maintain kitchen and equipment cleanliness; clean up after meals, wash and store preparation and serving equipment, clean appliances, organize cupboards and food storage, and assist with food-service-related housekeeping.
Train and supervise Kitchen Assistants in preparation and cooking methods, serving, cleanup, and kitchen safety.
Follow safety procedures and attend or provide monthly safety meetings.
Participate in required staff health and safety, Mandated Reporter, child abuse prevention training, and emergency drills.
Maintain current Pediatric First Aid and CPR certification.
Supervise Kitchen Assistants, including assigning and directing work, addressing grievances, and making or recommending personnel actions as described in the position information.
Perform other duties as assigned.