Lead Childcare Kitchen Cook & Menu Planner

California State University, Fullerton; Fullerton (CA); On-site; USD 25,000 - 30,000; Part time

Job summary

Colonial Group is seeking a part-time Cook for the Children's Center in Fullerton, CA. The role involves preparing meals from scratch for children and staff, planning a 4-week cycle menu, and ensuring meals meet Child and Adult Care Food Program guidelines.

You will stock the kitchen, manage inventories, portion meals, and adapt for allergies while maintaining accurate daily reports and safe food handling practices.

Qualifications

• Must hold a food handling certificate.
• Must have an aptitude for learning and following proper record keeping.
• Must be able to compute quantities accurately and maintain records of quantities prepared and served.
• Must be able to follow recipes accurately and maintain food safety standards.

Responsibilities

• Prepare a 4-week cycle menu for breakfasts, lunches, snacks and suppers.
• Keep pantry stocked, prepare shopping lists, place orders, and manage inventory.
• Prepare and portion meals for multiple classrooms and adapt for allergies.
• Maintain daily food program reports for reimbursement.
• Maintain kitchen cleanliness and proper storage of food and equipment.
• Train and supervise kitchen assistants in safe cooking practices.
• Follow safety procedures and participate in health and safety trainings.

Skills

Food handling certificate

Culinary skills

Safety procedures

Record keeping

Education

Food Handling Certificate

Culinary coursework

Job description

Position Title: Cook
Comparable: Cook II Lead
Department: Children's Center
Direct Supervisor: Director, Children’s Center
Supervisory Position: Yes	FLSA Classification: Non-Exempt (Hourly)	Position Classification: Staff	Time Base: Part-time
Summary: TheCookis responsible for preparing meals from scratch and serving breakfast, lunch and snack each day for the Children's Center enrolled children and staff that eat meals with the children. The purpose is to serve meals that are delicious, diverse, attractive, and nutritious in a manner that encourages positive attitudes about eating. All meals must meet criteria for quantity, composition and quality as specified by the Child and Adult Care Food Program. TheCookwill work in collaboration with staff to implement the mission, philosophy, and goals of the ASI Children's Center Program. Essential Duties and Responsibilities: Prepare menus – Plan at minimum, a 4-week cycle menu for breakfasts, lunches, snacks, and suppers. Menu must be varied and include seasonal fruits and vegetables. Although there is a cycle menu, new items must be introduced from time to time. Supplies - Keep the kitchen pantry stocked with all ingredients needed for the menus. Prepare shopping lists, place orders, and shop as needed. Keep inventory of food and supplies; report equipment needs to Director. Serving food - Prepare food for breakfast, lunch, afternoon snack, and supper (supper is prepared ahead); portion food for individual classrooms and help deliver it; adapt foods for infants and children with allergies; store all leftover food properly and safely. Record-keeping - Maintain accurate daily food program reports (menus, quantities required and used, numbers served) which are used to determine the reimbursement from the Child and Adult Care Food Program. Cleaning - Maintain cleanliness of kitchen and equipment; clean up kitchen after meals; wash and store all food preparation and serving equipment; clean all appliances regularly; clean and organize cupboards and food storage areas; assist with other housekeeping needs which are related to food service program. Train and supervise assistants who help with serving and cleaning up. Train them in effective preparation and cooking methods as well as kitchen safety. Safety - Maintain strict adherence to safety procedures; attend and/or provide safety meetings monthly. Participate in all required staff health and safety, Mandated Reporter, Child Abuse prevention training and emergency drills. Maintain current Pediatric First Aid and CPR certification. Other duties as assigned.
Supervisory Duties: Directly Supervises: Kitchen Assistants This role has the authority to perform or effectively recommend the following functions for the employees listed above: Make decisions on hiring, terminating, or effectively recommend such actions. Assigning work, designating tasks, or giving significant duties to employees using independent judgment and discretion. Reward or discipline employees, including issuing written warnings, or making recommendations for promotions or disciplinary action. Direct employees by deciding which employees will perform a task and the order in which tasks are completed using independent judgment and discretion and often considering the individual employee’s skills and aptitudes. Adjust employee grievances. Authority to transfer, suspend, lay off, or recall employees, which includes managing time off requests and leaves of absence. This role is held accountable for the performance of the employees they supervise and if employees under the manager’s supervision have performance failures, which may lead to a negative impact on the associate manager’s employment with ASI
Minimum Education and Experience Requirements: One (1) year’s experience in cooking for a group is required. Food Handling Certificate required. Preferred Education and Experience Requirements: Experience working with young children is desirable. Completion of coursework in culinary arts preferred. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: People must be interested in serving children, flexible in meeting varying needs, and capable of working with a variety of teaching staff. Working knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel preferred. Must have knowledge of effective cooking techniques, food safety, and sanitation and must be able to follow and adjust recipes accurately. Must hold a food handling certificate. Maintain current Pediatric First Aid and CPR certification. Must have an aptitude for learning and following proper record keeping. Must have an interest in serving attractive meals to young children while understanding the principles and values of good nutrition for the developing child. Must be able to compute quantities accurately and to maintain careful records of quantities prepared and served. Must be able to work with the children and adults within the established structure and philosophy of the Children's Center. Ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds and interests. Must work effectively with coworkers, customers and others by sharing ideas in constructive and positive manner; listening to and objectively considering ideas and suggestions from others; keeping commitments; keeping others informed of work progress, timetables and issues; addressing problems and issues constructively to find mutually acceptable and practical business solutions; addressing others by name, title or other respectful identifier and respecting the diversity of our work force in actions, words and deeds.
Additional Requirements: Work Environment: Occasional exposure to varying indoor/outdoor environments. Work is performed in a kitchen. Exposure to foods, disinfecting solutions, noise, dirt/dust, fumes/odors, vibrations, gas stove, mechanical/electrical equipment, and steam. Face to face and telephone contact with staff, children, parents, and the campus community. May come into contact with childhood viruses/diseases. Participation in off-campus or after-hours events, meetings, or retreats may be required. Typical Physical and Mental Requirements: Sitting and standing for extended periods: The role involves sustained sitting or standing. Mobility: The ability to bend, stoop, kneel, and crouch to interact with children at their level. Lifting, Carrying and Grasping: The ability to lift and carry equipment, and supplies in the kitchen as required. The ability to reach above the shoulders; hand grasping, touching, bending, climbing, balancing, pushing, and pulling. Lifting no more than 30lbs. Dexterity and fine motor skills: Handling small objects and performing tasks requiring hand-eye coordination. Visual and auditory acuity: Effective communication and interaction in various settings require good vision and hearing. We are committed to working with qualified individuals with disabilities to identify and implement reasonable accommodation that would allow them to perform the essential functions of the job. If you have a disability and require accommodation to perform the essential functions of this job, please notify the hiring manager during the application process or upon accepting an offer of employment. Special Requirements Must be able to pass pre-employment TB test. Must be able to provide proof of immunizations for pertussis, measles, and flu (flu is optional with Declination of Vaccination form.) Employment will be contingent on a satisfactory employment history and criminal background investigation. May be required to drive occasionally as needed. Valid driver’s license and current auto insurance must be on file at all times and must meet CSURMA driving standards. Required to be a Mandatory Reporter and sign ASI Mandatory Reporter Form. The Associated Students Inc., CSUF is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, genetic informationor any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.