Cook

Children’s Home & Aid; Palatine (IL); Hybrid; USD 23,000 - 25,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision insurance

Three weeks paid time off per year

Flexible paid leave based on tenure

11 paid holidays

401(k) with match

Job summary

Children’s Home & Aid in Palatine, IL is hiring a Cook to prepare meals for children and staff in a community center. The role includes cooking, dishwashing, and light kitchen maintenance to keep operations running smoothly.

Requires a high school diploma or equivalent, basic reading/writing skills, and at least one year of cooking experience. English and Spanish proficiency is preferred; driving is a plus. Competitive hourly pay and benefits are offered.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required with basic reading, writing and budgeting skills.
• One year of quantitative cooking experience.
• Understanding of the nutritional needs of children and adults.
• Annual physical examination and good physical health.
• Completion and maintenance of Food Sanitation Certification.
• Ability to drive and access to a personal vehicle preferred.
• Ability to communicate in English and Spanish preferred.

Responsibilities

• Purchase perishable foods daily and groceries within budget.
• Plan and post menus in advance in consultation with parents, staff and dietitian.
• Serve meals family style and supervise kitchen maintenance.
• Interview, appraise, and supervise other kitchen staff as needed.
• Prepare and cook daily meals and snacks.
• Ensure proper storage of groceries and kitchen supplies within budget.
• Share information about kitchen operations with the team.

Skills

Reading & Writing

Cooking experience (quantitative)

Nutrition knowledge

Bilingual English/Spanish

Physical health

Food safety / Sanitation Certification

Driving

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Job Category: Service & Maintenance Support

Requisition Number: COOK0007529

• Posted : August 20, 2026
• Full-Time

Locations

Showing 1 location

Palatine
721 South Quentin Road
Palatine, IL 60067, USA

Palatine
721 South Quentin Road
Palatine, IL 60067, USA

Brightpointinvites you to join our team of mission-driven staff who share a common vision: an equitable world where all children and families thrive in strong communities. As a leader in the human services sector for 140 years, we aim to advance the well-being of children by investing in families and strengthening communities through data-informed, collaborative, and preventative solutions.

The Cook is a critical member of our Community Child Care Center of Palatine Township team, preparing and serving nutritious meals and snacks for up to 83 children and adults every day. The Cook also has responsibility for dishwashing, light kitchen maintenance, and helping to ensure the kitchen runs smoothly and safely every day.

• High school diploma or equivalent experience. Must have basic skills in reading, writing, and budgeting.
• One year of quantitative cooking experience.
• Demonstrated understanding of the nutritional needs of children and adults.
• Annual physical examination and good physical health.
• Completion and maintenance of Food Sanitation Certification.
• Ability to drive and access to a personal vehicle preferred.
• Ability to communicate in both English and Spanish preferred.

Job responsibilities:

• Purchases perishable foods daily, such as bread, milk, etc., and buys fresh fruit weekly.
• Plans and posts menus in advance, in consultation with parents, assigned staff members and/or dietitian. Emphasizes nutritional needs of the group.
• Sets out dishes, serves food family style to the different program components. Supervises collection of dishes and kitchen maintenance.
• Interviews, appraises, and supervises other kitchen staff, as required by program.
• Prepares and cooks daily meals and snacks.
• Purchases and stores all groceries and kitchen supplies and keeps purchases within budgetary allowance.
• Shares pertinent information regarding the operation of the kitchen

Job details:

• Compensation:Hourly: Range is between $16.50-$18.50/hour, offers are commensurate with experience. The salary range provided represents our current estimate for this role at the time of posting and is subject to change. The final salary will be determined based on a range of factors, including but not limited to, a candidate's relevant experience, education, qualifications, skills, certifications, and alignment with organizational needs. We are dedicated to fair and equitable compensation practices and are committed to fostering a diverse workforce while providing equal opportunities for all candidates.
• Benefits: Medical/dental/vision insurance, three scheduled weeks of paid time off each year (Spring, Summer, Winter), and additional flexible paid leave that accrues based on tenure; 11 paid holidays, supplemental insurance options, 401(k) with match, (more benefit details here ).
• Schedule: Full-time, hourly; center is open Mon-Fri, 7:30am-5:30pm; assigned shifts will vary.
• We don’t just hire talent—we grow it: Emerging Leaders will have access to leadership development opportunities and one-on-one mentorship.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.