Early Childhood Cook/Chef

Benowa Children's Centre; Gold Coast City; On-site; AUD 3,444,000 - 4,408,000; Part time

Job summary

Benowa Children's Centre is seeking an experienced Cook/Chef to join our early childhood team on a casual basis. You will prepare nutritious meals, develop child-friendly menus and manage food safety, allergies, and dietary needs in a collaborative environment with families and staff.

The role requires passion for healthy eating for young children and adherence to Queensland food safety standards; Blue Card clearance and relevant training are required or will be pursued prior to commencement.

Qualifications

• Experience in cooking nutritious meals for children.
• Ability to manage allergies, intolerances and dietary needs.
• Knowledge of Queensland food safety and handling standards.
• Experience in early childhood settings is highly desirable.
• Willingness to obtain necessary clearances (Blue Card etc.).

Responsibilities

• Prepare breakfast, morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea.
• Develop weekly/seasonal menus suitable for young children.
• Safely prepare meals for allergies and dietary requirements.
• Provide culturally appropriate food choices.
• Maintain hygiene, storage and handling per food safety rules.
• Collaborate with families, educators and management on dietary needs.
• Monitor weekly food budget and manage stock.
• Support special events and occasional after-hours activities.

Skills

Cooking and baking

Nutrition knowledge

Allergen handling

Food safety

Team collaboration

Education

Early Childhood Education qualifications

Job description

We are looking for a passionate and experienced Cook/Chef to join our early childhood team. We are seeking someone who loves cooking nutritious, delicious meals and baking and understands the importance of creating healthy and enjoyable food experiences for young children.

Key responsibilities

Prepare fresh, nutritious breakfast, morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea

Develop weekly/seasonal menus suitable for young children

Safely prepare and manage food for allergies, intolerances and individual dietary requirements

Provide culturally appropriate food choices and respect cultural considerations

Maintain strict procedures to prevent cross-contamination and allergen exposure

Ensure all food preparation, storage, handling and hygiene practices comply with Queensland food safety requirements

In collaboration manage food ordering, stock levels and kitchen supplies

Monitor and manage the weekly food budget

Work collobrately with families, educators and management to meet children's dietary needs and preferences.

Reduce food waste and use ingredients efficiently

Maintain a clean, organised and compliant kitchen

About you

Experienced Cook/Chef with strong cooking and baking skills

Experience working in early childhood education is highly desirable

Early Childhood Education qualifications are an advantage

Passionate about nutrition, healthy eating and children's wellbeing

Able to plan and prepare nutritious, varied and child-friendly menus

Able to safely prepare meals for children with food allergies, intolerances and special dietary requirements

Respectful and experienced in catering for different cultural, religious and family food preferences

Be able to comply with Queensland food safety, food hygiene and food handling standards and requirements

Able to work independently and as part of a team

Reliable, organised and able to manage kitchen responsibilities

Must hold a current Blue Card (Queensland Working with Children Check).

Must have completed, or be willing to complete prior to commencement, National Child Safe Organisation Training Modules 1, 2, 3 and 4.

Hours: Monday to Friday, 6:00am – 2:00pm. The position will initially be offered on a casual basis during the probationary period, with the opportunity to discuss ongoing employment options following successful completion of probation

Flexible and available for special events and occassional after hours meetings.