Position Title: Cook (childcare)

Salary: $65,500 to $75,000 per annum

Westcare Early Learning Centre, Port Adelaide, SA is looking for a childcare Cook. Your culinary expertise will ensure that every meal is cooked and presented to children in our centre meets the dietary requirements and nutritional needs of the children.

Duties and Responsibilities – Cook (childcare)

• Inspecting food ingredients and supplies upon receipt to ensure they meet required quality standards, are fresh, and are safe for children.
• Monitoring the shelf life of ingredients to minimize waste and ensure only safe food is used for meal preparation.
• Regulating and adjusting the temperatures of ovens, grills, fryers, and other cooking appliances to maintain optimal cooking conditions.
• Ensuring cooking equipment is regularly maintained to prevent malfunctions and ensure safety in food preparation.
• Preparing and cooking a variety of meals, snacks, and beverages that meet the nutritional needs of children in care, ensuring they are both healthy and appetizing.
• Utilizing cooking methods such as boiling, steaming, baking, and grilling to preserve the natural flavor and nutritional value of food.
• Adding appropriate seasonings, herbs, and spices during cooking to enhance flavor while maintaining nutritional balance and following dietary guidelines.
• Ensuring that food is seasoned in a way that is suitable for young children, considering their taste preferences and dietary restrictions.
• Assisting the centre manager in planning and implementation of food allergies
• Portioning meals according to the dietary needs of children, ensuring that each serving meets required nutritional standards.
• Plating food in an appealing and child-friendly manner, adding garnishes, sauces, and gravies where appropriate, while considering the age and developmental stage of the children.
• Storing prepared and raw food in temperature-controlled facilities, such as refrigerators and freezers, to prevent contamination and spoilage.
• Following food storage guidelines to ensure food remains fresh and safe for consumption.
• Preparing meals that cater to children with specific dietary needs, including allergies, intolerances, and cultural or religious dietary restrictions.
• Collaborating with parents and staff to accommodate individual dietary preferences, ensuring that no child is left without appropriate food.
• Assisting in planning weekly or monthly menus, ensuring a balanced, nutritious diet for children while meeting the food safety and budgetary requirements of the facility.
• Estimating food quantities needed based on the number of children and ensuring that food waste is minimized by accurately forecasting needs.
• May train and guide junior kitchen staff or apprentices on food preparation techniques, portion control, food safety, and hygiene practices.
• Ensuring that all kitchen staff are trained to handle food safely and adhere to childcare center standards and regulations

To be considered for this role, you should:

● Hold an AQF Certificate 3 in Commercial Cookery & Certificate 4 is an advantage

• Have a Current WWCC

● Have at least 2 year work experience working as a cook, some experience working as a cook in childcare setting is preferred

● Possess a positive attitude and work well with other team members

● Be willing to follow directions and ask questions for clarification if needed

● Good interpersonal and communication skills

● Able to work in a fast paced environment, multitask and handle stress

● Able to commit beyond normal working hours as and when required.

Please note: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for the interview.