Prep Cook

The Learning Experience - Collierville, TN; Collierville (TN); On-site; USD 22,000 - 25,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free uniforms

Health insurance

Opportunity for advancement

Paid time off

Training & development

Vision insurance

401(k)

401(k) matching

Competitive salary

Employee discounts

Tuition assistance

Job summary

The Learning Experience - Collierville, TN is hiring a Chef/Cook to prepare nutritious meals and snacks for children in our early childhood education center. You will manage daily food preparation, kitchen sanitation, inventory, and meal service while following applicable nutrition, food safety, and childcare requirements.

The role supports teachers and families, ensuring meals meet nutrition guidelines and CACFP requirements where applicable.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required, unless otherwise permitted by state requirements.
• Must be at least 18 years old.
• Food service experience in childcare, school, restaurant, or other kitchen 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 Handler or equivalent certification where required.
• Must meet licensing, background screening, health and training requirements.

Responsibilities

• Inspires Happiness and helps 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.
• Manage daily kitchen operations and food preparation.

Skills

Food handling

Meal preparation

Time management

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

Benefits

• Free uniforms
• Health insurance
• Opportunity for advancement
• Paid time off
• Training & development
• Vision insurance
• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Competitive salary
• Employee discounts
• Tuition assistance

Location: Collierville, TN Pay: $16-$18/hourly Job Type: Full-Time Schedule: Monday-Friday at School location

Benefits

• Paid Time Off + Holidays
• Health Insurance
• Company Provided Uniforms
• Company Paid Training
• Generous Child Care Discount
• Tuition Reimbursement For qualifying employees
• 401K Match For qualifying employees
• Professional Development Opportunities
• Career Growth Opportunities

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 Handler 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.

This franchise is independently owned and operated by a franchisee. Your application will go directly to the franchisee, and all hiring decisions will be made by the management of this franchisee. All inquiries about employment at this franchisee should be made directly to the franchise location, and not to The Learning Experience Corporate.