Chef

Guardian; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive remuneration

Generous childcare discounts

Access to wellbeing programs

Job summary

Guardian Brunswick is seeking a Centre Chef to plan nutritious menus, prepare fresh meals and cater for dietary needs, helping children feel nourished and ready to explore.

Join a supportive team, maintain high food safety standards, manage stock and budgets, and contribute to a welcoming, inclusive centre environment.

Qualifications

• Experience preparing meals in a commercial kitchen, childcare setting or similar environment.
• Knowledge of food safety, allergy management and healthy nutrition practices.
• A Food Handling Certificate (Food Safety Supervisor highly regarded).
• Strong organisation and time management skills.
• A collaborative, caring and professional approach.
• A genuine passion for supporting children's health and wellbeing.
• A current Working with Children Check or willingness to obtain one.

Responsibilities

• Plan and prepare nutritious, balanced meals and snacks.
• Create positive food experiences that support children's health and wellbeing.
• Cater for dietary, allergy, medical and cultural requirements.
• Manage ordering, stock control and kitchen budgets.
• Maintain high standards of food safety, hygiene and compliance.
• Build trusted relationships with children, families and your centre team.
• Encourage healthy eating and positive relationships with food.
• Contribute to a welcoming, inclusive and engaging centre environment.

Skills

Food safety knowledge

Allergy management

Healthy nutrition practices

Time management

Collaborative attitude

Education

Food Handling Certificate

Job description

Create healthy habits. Bring joy to every mealtime. Support children to thrive with Guardian Brunswick

We believe mealtimes are about more than what's on the plate. They're an opportunity to create connection, celebrate culture, encourage curiosity and enable children to build positive relationships with food from an early age.

As a Centre Chef, you'll play an important role in the daily life of the centre. From planning nutritious menus and preparing fresh meals to catering for individual needs and creating positive eating experiences, your work allows children to feel nourished, cared for and ready to explore.

You'll be part of a supportive centre team, with opportunities to connect with other Guardian Chefs/Cooks, share ideas and discover new inspiration and best practice. As you grow your skills and knowledge, you'll be supported to make an even greater impact through something children experience every day - food.

Because when you feel valued and supported, you can bring even more care, creativity and joy to every mealtime.

Why join Guardian?

• Career pathways across Guardian's national network
• Exclusive Thrive framework and To BE Me learning program, empowering both teams and children each day
• Practical learning, mentoring and professional development
• Support from your Centre Manager and wider Guardian network
• Opportunities to connect with other Centre Chefs and share ideas and best practice
• Competitive remuneration, generous childcare discounts, access to multiple wellbeing programs, recognition and rewards, and employee referral opportunities
• High-quality centres and thoughtfully designed kitchen environments

The Opportunity

• Plan and prepare nutritious, balanced meals and snacks
• Create positive food experiences that support children's health and wellbeing
• Cater for dietary, allergy, medical and cultural requirements
• Manage ordering, stock control and kitchen budgets
• Maintain high standards of food safety, hygiene and compliance
• Build trusted relationships with children, families and your centre team
• Encourage healthy eating and positive relationships with food
• Contribute to a welcoming, inclusive and engaging centre environment

About You

• Experience preparing meals in a commercial kitchen, childcare setting or similar environment
• Knowledge of food safety, allergy management and healthy nutrition practices
• A Food Handling Certificate (Food Safety Supervisor highly regarded)
• Strong organisation and time management skills
• A collaborative, caring and professional approach
• A genuine passion for supporting children's health and wellbeing
• A current Working with Children Check or willingness to obtain one
• If you’re ready to use your passion for food to create healthy habits, bring joy to every mealtime and make a meaningful difference for children, we’d love to hear from you.

Bring your passion. Bring your creativity. Bring your care.

Guardian Childcare & Education values diversity in the workplace and is an equal opportunity employer. Diverse cultures, backgrounds and experiences strengthen our teams and help us grow. We are committed to providing a workplace where every person is valued, respected, and supported to progress.

We are also deeply committed to Reconciliation and creating an environment where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People feel a strong sense of belonging and connection.

At Guardian Childcare & Education, children's safety and wellbeing are our top priority. We have zero tolerance for any form of abuse or harm. We rigorously screen all potential team members, requiring a 10-year verifiable resume, 5 years of direct manager references, and other security checks to ensure they meet our high standards.

*for those who have not been in employment that long, these expectations will be adjusted.