Cook/Chef Portland

Lloyd Connect; Portland; On-site; AUD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Lloyd Connect is seeking a dedicated Chef/Cook for Early Learning Victoria in Portland. This permanent full-time role is a day shift, Monday to Friday, with no weekends, and the centre opens in January 2026.

You will plan and prepare nutritionally balanced meals for children, ensuring dietary and cultural needs are met, and manage stock and ordering while upholding food safety standards across the kitchen. Experience in childcare or aged care is preferred but not essential.

Qualifications

• Certificate in Food Handling required.
• Food Safety Supervisor certificate required.
• Current Working with Children’s Check required.
• Current First Aid, CPR, Anaphylaxis & Asthma certificates (or willingness to obtain).

Responsibilities

• Plan and prepare nutritionally balanced meals and snacks for children, catering for dietary and cultural requirements.
• Maintain a safe and clean environment in line with The Food Safety Act and ELV Health, Nutrition and Food Safety Policy.
• Maintain kitchen and equipment to ensure everything is in working order.
• Timely ordering of food supplies and stock management to meet budget requirements.
• Maintain and update the Food Safety Program.

Skills

Menu planning

Food safety

Kitchen operations

Catering

Education

Food Handling Certificate

Food Safety Supervisor Certificate

Working with Children Check

First Aid Certification

CPR Certification

Anaphylaxis & Asthma Training

Job description

1. Day shift only – Monday to Friday – NO WEEKENDS! Coastal town of Portland.
2. Purpose built kitchen with state of the art equipment!
3. Early Learning Victoria Centre opening in January! Permanent full-time.

We’re seeking a passionate Chef or Cook to join Early Learning Victoria in Portland. A purpose-built 57-place centre provides childcare and kindergarten for three and four-year-olds. Permanent full-time. Centre opening in January 2026.

As the Centre Cook or Chef you will be responsible for planning and preparing a nutritious rotating menu (recipes provided) for all children at the service in line with Early Learning Victoria’s (ELV) Eating and Drinking: Health Nutrition and Food safety Policy. You will be responsible for ensuring that food prepared in line with specific dietary requirements and is culturally appropriate to the local community. This role will also be responsible for the timely ordering of food supplies and stock management to meet budget requirements.

Your duties will include;

1. Responsible for planning and preparing nutritionally balanced meals and snacks for children ensuring that dietary and cultural requirements are catered for.
2. Maintains a safe and clean environment in accordance with The Food Safety Act and the ELV Health, Nutrition and Food Safety Policy.
3. Maintain kitchen and equipment to ensure all is in working order.
4. Responsible for the timely ordering of food supplies and stock management to meet budget requirements.
5. Maintains and ensures the Food Safety Program is kept update.

You will have a;

1. A certificate in Food Handling
2. Food Safety Supervisor certificate
3. A current Working with Children’s Check A current certificate in First Aid, CPR, Anaphylaxis & Asthma (or be willing to obtain).

A ‘can do’ attitude, high level customer service and experience with catering for specific needs for allergies/intolerance and culturally diverse communities is essential, as is the ability to work alone in the kitchen. previous experience working in an early childcare centre or aged care/health facility preferred but not essential.

The department values diversity and inclusion in all forms – gender, religion, ethnicity, LGBTIQ+, disability and neurodiversity. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.