Chef/Cook/Float Teacher

The Learning Experience; Round Rock (TX); On-site; USD 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free uniforms

Health insurance

Paid time off

Training & development

Vision insurance

Dental insurance

Employee discounts

Job summary

The Learning Experience in Round Rock, TX is seeking a Chef/Cook to prepare nutritious meals and snacks for children in our early childhood education center. You will manage daily kitchen operations and ensure meals meet nutrition guidelines while following safety standards.

This role requires coordinating with teachers and center staff, maintaining records, inventory, and purchasing within budget, while upholding CACFP requirements where applicable.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Must be at least 18 years old.
• Food service experience in childcare or related setting preferred.
• Knowledge of food preparation, sanitation, and safe handling.
• Ability to follow menus, recipes, portions, and nutrition guidelines.
• Strong organization and time-management skills.
• Food Manager certification or equivalent where required.
• Must meet applicable licensing, background screening, health, and training requirements.

Responsibilities

• Prepare nutritious meals and snacks and provide timely meal service.
• Help make mealtimes a positive part of each child's day.
• Work cooperatively with teachers and center staff.
• Manage daily kitchen operations and food preparation.
• Monitor attendance and prepare appropriate food quantities.
• Manage food inventory, supplies, and ordering.
• Monitor food quality, expiration dates, and storage.
• Maintain meal records, including CACFP records when applicable.
• Communicate supply or kitchen needs to center leadership.
• Follow food handling, preparation, storage, cooking, and serving procedures.
• Maintain appropriate food temperatures and safe storage practices.
• Clean and sanitize dishes, cookware, equipment, counters, and prep areas.
• Maintain an organized kitchen and properly stored food and supplies.
• Follow applicable food service, sanitation, health, safety, and licensing requirements.
• Manage purchasing and inventory within the established budget.
• Prepare and serve food with attention to quality and consistency.
• Support center events and special meal needs when appropriate.
• Contribute to a positive experience for children and families.

Skills

Food safety

Time management

Kitchen sanitation

Menu following

Nutrition guidelines

Inventory management

Food handler cert

Licensing compliance

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Food Manager certification

Job description

Benefits

• Free uniforms
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Training & development
• Vision insurance
• Dental insurance
• Employee discounts

Location

Round Rock, Texas

Job Type

Full-Time

The Learning Experience is hiring a Chef/Cook to prepare nutritious meals and snacks for children in our early childhood education center.

The Chef/Cook manages daily food preparation, kitchen sanitation, inventory, and meal service while following applicable nutrition, food safety, and childcare requirements.

What You'll Do

Inspires Happiness

Help create positive mealtimes for children.

• Prepare nutritious, age-appropriate meals and snacks
• Provide consistent, timely meal and snack service
• Help make mealtimes a positive part of each child's day
• Work cooperatively with teachers and center staff

Takes Ownership

Manage daily kitchen operations and food preparation.

• Prepare meals according to approved menus and nutrition guidelines
• Monitor attendance and prepare appropriate food quantities
• Manage food inventory, supplies, and ordering
• Monitor food quality, expiration dates, and storage
• Maintain required meal and snack records, including CACFP records when applicable
• Communicate supply or kitchen needs to center leadership

Builds Trust

Communicate effectively with center leadership, teachers, and families.

• Follow procedures for food allergies, dietary restrictions, and accommodations
• Communicate menu, supply, and meal-service information to the center team
• Work with teachers to support smooth meal and snack transitions
• Maintain professional and dependable working relationships

Drives Operational Excellence

Maintain a safe, clean, and compliant kitchen.

• Follow food handling, preparation, storage, cooking, and serving procedures
• Maintain appropriate food temperatures and safe storage practices
• Clean and sanitize dishes, cookware, equipment, counters, and food preparation areas
• Maintain an organized kitchen and properly stored food and supplies
• Follow applicable food service, sanitation, health, safety, and licensing requirements
• Manage purchasing and inventory within the established budget

Elevates the Brand

Maintain TLE standards for quality, safety, and service.

• Prepare and serve food with attention to quality and consistency
• Maintain a clean and organized kitchen
• Support center events and special meal needs when appropriate
• Contribute to a positive experience for children and families

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required, unless otherwise permitted by state requirements
• Must be at least 18 years old
• Food service experience in a childcare center, preschool, school, restaurant, cafeteria, catering, or commercial kitchen preferred
• Knowledge of food preparation, sanitation, and safe food handling
• Ability to follow menus, recipes, portions, and nutrition guidelines
• Strong organization and time-management skills
• Food Manger or equivalent certification where required
• Must meet applicable licensing, background screening, health, and training requirements

Physical Requirements

This active role requires standing for extended periods; bending, reaching, and moving throughout the kitchen; and safely lifting up to 40 pounds. Reasonable accommodations may be available.