Centre Chef – 3 Days Per Week

Town and Country Childrens Centre; Geelong; On-site; AUD 34,000 - 55,000; Part time

Job summary

Town & Country Children’s Centre in Highton, VIC is seeking an experienced Centre Chef to lead the daily kitchen operations, preparing nutritious meals for children and managing dietary requirements.

You’ll plan menus, order stock, monitor food safety, maintain records and work with staff to create a positive food environment aligned with early childhood guidelines. Immediate start; part-time 7am-3pm, Monday to Wednesday.

Qualifications

• Chef with experience in early childhood education and care setting is essential.
• Current Food Safety Supervisor qualification is required.
• Commercial cookery qualifications are required.
• Strong understanding of allergies, dietary requirements and safe food practices.

Responsibilities

• Plan and prepare nutritious, varied meals for children.
• Prepare meals following dietary guidelines and nutrition requirements.
• Manage allergies, intolerances and dietary needs with proper allergy management.
• Maintain a hygienic, organised kitchen and complete safety records.
• Order stock, monitor supplies and minimise waste within budget.
• Collaborate with leadership to meet children's dietary needs.

Skills

ECE chef experience

Food safety knowledge

Menu planning

Stock management

Education

Commercial cookery qualifications

Food Safety Supervisor qualification

Job description

Town and Country Childrens Centre – Highton VIC

Town & Country Children’s Centre | Highton

Immediate Start | Part-Time | 3 Days Per Week

Town & Country Children’s Centre is looking for an experienced, passionate and reliable Chef to join our team on a part‑time basis, working 3 days per week (Monday,Tuesday,Wednesday).

This is a fantastic opportunity for a chef who enjoys working in an early childhood environment and takes pride in preparing fresh, nutritious and appealing meals for young children.

About the role

As our Centre Chef, you will be responsible for the day‑to‑day operation of our kitchen, including:

• Planning and preparing nutritious, varied and age‑appropriate meals and snacks for children

• Preparing meals in accordance with Australian dietary guidelines and early childhood nutrition requirements

• Managing and catering for food allergies, intolerances and dietary requirements, with a strong understanding of allergy management and food safety

• Maintaining a safe, hygienic and well‑organised kitchen

• Completing daily food safety, temperature and kitchen records

• Managing stock levels and independently placing and receiving food orders

• Monitoring food supplies, minimising waste and working within an allocated food budget

• Maintaining high standards of food preparation, storage, cleaning and hygiene

• Working collaboratively with the Centre leadership team to accommodate children's individual dietary needs

• Creating a positive food environment and introducing children to a variety of healthy foods and flavours

• Ensuring all kitchen practices meet relevant Food Safety, National Quality Framework and regulatory requirements

• Communicating professionally with educators and families when required regarding menus and dietary requirements

About you

We are looking for someone who:

• Has previous experience working as a Chef in an early childhood education and care setting – essential

• Holds relevant commercial cookery qualifications

• Has a current Food Safety Supervisor qualification

• Has a strong understanding of food allergies, anaphylaxis and dietary requirements

• Can confidently manage an early childhood kitchen independently

• Is organised and able to plan menus, order stock and manage kitchen requirements without constant supervision

• Has excellent food hygiene and food safety practices

• Takes pride in the presentation, quality and nutritional value of meals

• Is reliable, punctual and able to work as part of a professional team

• Understands the importance of compliance, documentation and safe food practices in an early childhood setting

• Has a warm and positive approach to working in an environment where children and their wellbeing are at the centre of everything we do

Why join Town & Country?

At Town & Country Children’s Centre, our kitchen is an important part of our children's daily experience. We are looking for someone who understands that food in early childhood is about much more than simply providing meals — it is about nutrition, wellbeing, relationships, learning and creating positive experiences around food.

You will be supported by a professional leadership team and become an important part of our close‑knit centre community.

Position: Chef
Hours:7am-3pm, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday
Location:Highton, VIC
Start: Immediate