Centre Chef

PlayPatch Early Learning; Brisbane; On-site; AUD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

PlayPatch Annerley is opening a brand-new centre and building a culture of nourishing meals and wellbeing for children. As Centre Chef, you will plan nutritious meals, manage stock and budgets, and help shape kitchen practices from day one.

You will work with a supportive leadership team, ensure food safety compliance, and create positive mealtime experiences for children and families in a developing learning environment.

Qualifications

• Experience preparing meals in large-scale kitchens or childcare settings.
• Knowledge of dietary, allergy, and cultural requirements.
• Understanding of food safety and hygiene standards.

Responsibilities

• Plan and prepare nutritious meals and snacks for children.
• Cater to dietary and allergy requirements.
• Maintain food safety compliance and hygienic kitchen operations.
• Manage kitchen stock, ordering, and budgets.
• Foster positive relationships with families and educators.

Skills

Menu planning

Food safety

Stock management

Time management

Team collaboration

Education

Certificate III in Kitchen/Food Handling

Early childhood kitchen experience

Tools

Food Safety Supervisor

Blue Card / Working with Children Check

Job description

Help Us Build Something Special From the Very Beginning!

At PlayPatch Annerley, we're not just opening a new centre, we're building a culture.

A culture where every decision, from our educators to our chef, leadership team and Approved Provider, begins with one simple question:

"Is this in the best interests of the child?"

If the answer is yes, we know we're on the right path.

We're inspired by the Reggio Emilia philosophy because we believe children are capable, curious and deserving of a childhood that isn't rushed. We value relationships, create environments that spark discovery and recognise that meaningful experiences often happen around the table as much as they do in the learning environment.

As our Centre Chef, you'll play an important role in supporting children's health, wellbeing and sense of belonging through nutritious, high-quality meals that children genuinely enjoy.

As a brand-new centre, we have a rare opportunity.

We're not inheriting someone else's culture, we're creating our own together.

We're commencing with just 10 children and will gradually grow to our licensed capacity of 107, opening rooms as our community grows. This means you'll have the opportunity to establish kitchen practices, build positive relationships with families and educators and help shape the culture of the centre from day one.

You Might Be the Person We're Looking For If...

• You believe food is about more than nutrition, it's about connection, comfort and community.
• You enjoy preparing fresh, healthy meals that children genuinely love.
• You're organised, reliable and take pride in maintaining a clean and well-run kitchen.
• You understand the important role nutrition plays in children's growth, learning and wellbeing.
• You enjoy building positive relationships with children, families and educators.
• You can work independently while remaining a valued part of the wider team.
• You take ownership of your role and enjoy creating systems that keep things running smoothly.
• You're passionate about creating positive mealtime experiences for children.
• You're warm, approachable and committed to contributing to a positive workplace culture.

What You'll Be Doing

• Planning and preparing nutritious meals and snacks for children.
• Catering for dietary, allergy and cultural requirements.
• Maintaining compliance with food safety and health regulations.
• Managing kitchen stock, ordering and food budgets.
• Maintaining a clean, organised and welcoming kitchen environment.
• Building positive relationships with children, educators and families.
• Supporting children's understanding of healthy eating and nutrition.
• Contributing to a warm, collaborative and child-focused culture.

Our Commitment to Our Team

We want PlayPatch to be somewhere people choose to stay, not because they have to, but because they want to.

We want our team to feel listened to, trusted and supported. We encourage open communication, value each person's contribution and recognise that everyone plays an important role in creating exceptional experiences for children.

Children come first at PlayPatch, but we also believe the adults caring for them matter too.

As our Centre Chef, you'll be supported by a leadership team that values your expertise, welcomes your ideas and understands the impact a great kitchen has on a child's day.

Essential

• Experience preparing meals in a commercial kitchen, childcare service, school, aged care environment or similar.
• Current Working with Children Check (Blue Card) or willingness to obtain.
• Food Safety Supervisor Certificate (or willingness to obtain).
• Knowledge of food safety and hygiene requirements.
• Understanding of allergy and dietary management requirements.
• Strong organisation and time management skills.

Desirable

• Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care.
• Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care.
• Experience working in an Early Childhood Education and Care setting.
• Knowledge of the nutritional requirements of young children.
• Experience catering for large groups and managing food budgets.

An Early Childhood qualification is highly regarded but not essential. We're happy to support a chef who shares our values and passion for supporting children's wellbeing.

Why Join Us?

• Be part of a brand-new centre and help shape its culture from day one.
• Establish kitchen systems and practices from the beginning.
• Build meaningful relationships with children, families and educators.
• Work alongside a supportive leadership team that genuinely values your contribution.
• Enjoy opportunities for professional development and growth as the centre expands.
• Join a team that values collaboration, kindness, humour and professionalism.
• Competitive remuneration based on qualifications and experience.

We'd Love to Hear From You If...

You've ever wished you could be part of a centre where your role is genuinely valued and recognised as an important part of children's learning and wellbeing.

If you're passionate about providing nutritious meals, creating positive experiences for children and helping build a culture you're proud to be part of, we'd love to meet you.

Join us as we create something special for children, families and educators at PlayPatch Annerley.