Preschool Kitchen Cook

J K CORPORATION; Edgewood (NM); On-site; USD 17,000 - 23,000; Full time

Job summary

J K CORPORATION in Edgewood, NM seeks a full-time cook to prepare safe, nutritious meals for children and support CACFP requirements. You will work with the Kitchen Manager to manage meals, inventory, and kitchen organization while maintaining a positive preschool environment.

The role emphasizes accuracy, attention to safety, and a team-first attitude; previous food service in childcare is a plus. Bilingual English preferred.

Qualifications

• 1–3 years of cooking or food preparation experience preferred; school or childcare food service experience is a plus.
• Hold a current New Mexico-recognized food handler card or qualifying certification or obtain the required credential within the period allowed by law and center policy.
• Be reliable and maintain a positive attitude, show up on time, and accept feedback to help the team.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and help oversee breakfast, lunch, and snacks on schedule.
• Follow approved menus and CACFP meal patterns, including required food components, age-appropriate portions, and approved substitutions. Help ensure meals are served safely and on time.
• Keep menus and substitutions updated; complete assigned daily meal counts, production or preparation records, delivery and temperature logs, and other CACFP paperwork accurately and on time.
• Follow center procedures for meals served, attendance records, food purchasing documentation, special diets, and monitoring or review visits.
• Work with the Manager to support family-style meals and a positive, respectful mealtime experience for children.
• Keep the kitchen, food-contact surfaces, equipment, dishes, utensils, and storage areas clean, sanitized, and ready for use.
• Use safe handwashing, food handling, cooking, cooling, reheating, storage, labeling, and temperature-check procedures; prevent cross-contamination and report unsafe conditions promptly.
• Keep current allergy and dietary accommodation information available to authorized staff, follow each child’s approved plan, and communicate changes with administration before serving food.
• Follow applicable New Mexico Environment Department food safety rules, ECECD licensing requirements, CACFP standards, and center procedures; help prepare for inspections and reviews.
• Monitor food, dry goods, paper goods, utensils, and kitchen supplies; maintain an accurate inventory and weekly shopping list.
• Check deliveries, rotate stock, prevent waste, and tell the Kitchen Manager when items, equipment, or supplies need attention.
• Complete assigned opening, closing, cleaning, and kitchen organization tasks without repeated reminders.

Skills

Cooking experience

Food preparation

Teamwork

Punctuality

Bilingual English

Job description

Position Summary

We are looking for a full-time (40 hours) dependable, hardworking cook who takes pride in preparing safe, nutritious meals for our children. The Cook works closely with the Kitchen Manager to handle daily food service, weekly inventory, keep the kitchen organized, and support a positive preschool environment. A good attitude, attention to detail, and willingness to help the team are important parts of this job.

Job Responsibilities

Meals & Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)

• Prepare and help oversee breakfast, lunch, and snacks on schedule
• Follow approved menus and CACFP meal patterns, including required food components, age-appropriate portions, and approved substitutions. Help ensure meals are served safely and on time.
• Keep menus and substitutions updated; complete assigned daily meal counts, production or preparation records, delivery and temperature logs, and other CACFP paperwork accurately and on time.
• Follow center procedures for meals served, attendance records, food purchasing documentation, special diets, and monitoring or review visits.
• Work with the Manager to support family-style meals and a positive, respectful mealtime experience for children.

Food Safety & Kitchen Standards

• Keep the kitchen, food-contact surfaces, equipment, dishes, utensils, and storage areas clean, sanitized, and ready for use.
• Use safe handwashing, food handling, cooking, cooling, reheating, storage, labeling, and temperature-check procedures; prevent cross-contamination and report unsafe conditions promptly.
• Keep current allergy and dietary accommodation information available to authorized staff, follow each child’s approved plan, and communicate changes with administration before serving food.
• Follow applicable New Mexico Environment Department food safety rules, ECECD licensing requirements, CACFP standards, and center procedures; help prepare for inspections and reviews.

Inventory & Daily Organization

• Monitor food, dry goods, paper goods, utensils, and kitchen supplies; maintain an accurate inventory and weekly shopping list.
• Check deliveries, rotate stock, prevent waste, and tell the Kitchen Manager when items, equipment, or supplies need attention.
• Complete assigned opening, closing, cleaning, and kitchen organization tasks without repeated reminders.

Teamwork & Qualifications

• Bring a positive attitude, show up on time, be dependable, accept feedback, and pitch in when help is needed.
• 1–3 years of cooking or food preparation experience preferred; school or childcare food service experience is a plus.
• Hold a current New Mexico-recognized food handler card or qualifying certification or obtain the required credential within the period allowed by law and center policy.
• Meet applicable background screening and other hiring requirements; complete food safety, CACFP, and any childcare training needed for assigned duties.
• Be able to stand for extended periods, work safely in a busy kitchen, and lift or move routine kitchen supplies with reasonable accommodation where applicable.
• Bilingual English preferred.