Centre Cook

RGIT Australia; City of Melbourne; On-site; AUD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Thrive Early Learning Centre in Mount Evelyn is hiring a Cook to plan and prepare nutritious, safe meals for a centre full of young children, while engaging them in hands-on cooking experiences. You will build menus, cater for allergies, review with families and staff, maintain hygiene, manage orders within budget, and support Thrive's educational program through healthy eating conversations.

If you are passionate about food, early childhood education, and working in a team-focused environment,

Qualifications

• Knowledge of food safety and hygiene requirements.
• Ability to plan nutritious menus for children 0–6.
• Experience handling dietary restrictions and allergies.
• Experience in childcare, healthcare, hospitality, or similar setting.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver balanced menus meeting guidelines for 0–6 years.
• Cater for allergies and cultural dietary needs.
• Review menus with families, educators and health professionals.
• Prepare and serve meals safely and hygienically, reducing waste.
• Manage food ordering within budget.
• Maintain food safety records and compliance.

Skills

Food safety

Kitchen hygiene

Menu planning

Teamwork

Education

Certificate III in Commercial Cookery or Hospitality

Food Safety Supervisor Certificate or equivalent

First Aid certificate

Working with Children Check

Job description

Join Thrive Early Learning Centre's as the Cook at our brand-new Mount Evelyn Centre and bring more than just delicious, nutritious meals to the table! We’re looking for someone

fun, creative and passionate about foodwho loves getting children involved through hands-on cooking experiences, celebrating different cultures and flavours, and making mealtimes exciting. You’ll be an active part of our Centre community, building relationships with children, families and educators while helping us create a food program that becomes a special part of the Mount Evelyn experience.

About the role

Our Centre Cook plans and prepares the food that fuels a centre full of children. You will build menus that are nutritious, appealing and safe for every child, including those with allergies, medical conditions and cultural or religious requirements, and you will run a clean, well organised kitchen.

What you will do

• Develop and deliver balanced menus that meet recognised nutritional guidelines for children aged 0 to 6
• Cater for allergies, medical conditions, cultural and religious requirements and individual dietary needs
• Review menus with families, educators, health professionals and centre leadership
• Prepare and serve meals and snacks safely and hygienically, and adjust quantities to attendance to minimise waste
• Maintain compliance with food safety legislation and Food Standards Australia and New Zealand requirements, and keep accurate food safety records
• Monitor storage, temperature control, stock rotation and cleaning schedules
• Manage food ordering and purchasing within budget
• Contribute to the educational program through cooking experiences and healthy eating conversations with children
• Support Thrive's child safe commitments and report any concern

What you will bring

• Food Safety Supervisor Certificate or equivalent
• Current Working with Children Check for the state the role is based in
• Experience preparing meals in a commercial kitchen, childcare, healthcare, hospitality or similar setting
• Knowledge of food safety and hygiene requirements
• Understanding of allergies, dietary restrictions and nutritional requirements
• Experience managing food orders and kitchen supplies
• Certificate III in Commercial Cookery or Hospitality
• First Aid certificate
• Experience in early childhood education and care
• Knowledge of child nutrition for children aged 0 to 6
• Experience with sustainable kitchen practices

About Thrive

Thrive Early Learning Centres operate across New South Wales and Victoria. Our Learning for Life Curriculum and Thrive Quality Framework set the standard of education and care across our services, and our CARE values, Confidence, Attitude, Respect and Education, describe how we work with children, families and each other.

Child safety

Thrive is committed to the safety, wellbeing and inclusion of all children. All applicants are subject to employment screening, including a valid Working with Children Check for the state in which the role is based, and reference checks.

Company Overview

Thrive exists to deliver the highest quality care and education in early childhood, by teaching our children and teams to be leaders and confident individuals whilst understanding what it means to serve the world. At Thrive we pride ourselves on upholding our CARE Values: Confidence. The passion and confidence to shape a better community. Attitude. If it’s to be, it’s up to me. Respect. Be Honest. Be Real. Education. Committed to lifelong learning for the soul and mind.