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Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee discounts
- Paid time off
- Training & development
- Vision insurance
We are seeking a reliable, organized, and nurturing cook to join our team. In this role, you will do much more than just prepare meals — you will fuel the growth, learning, and development of our students by providing wholesome, delicious, and safe nutrition every day.
The ideal candidate has a passion for cooking, an understanding of childhood nutrition, a warm demeanor, and an unwavering commitment to kitchen cleanliness and safety standards.
Key Responsibilities
- Meal Preparation & Planning: Prepare and cook nutritious, appealing, and age-appropriate breakfasts, lunches, and afternoon snacks for children ranging from infancy through Pre-K.
- Menu Adherence: Follow designated menus, recipes, and portion sizes while ensuring all meals comply with local licensing and federal nutritional guidelines.
- Allergy & Dietary Management: Strictly manage and track documented child food allergies, sensitivities, and dietary restrictions. Ensure safe substitutions are prepared and clearly labeled.
- Kitchen Sanitation & Safety: Maintain a spotless kitchen, pantry, and storage area. Wash and sanitize all dishes, utensils, pots, and food preparation surfaces in accordance with health department regulations.
- Inventory & Ordering: Monitor food and kitchen supply inventories. Assist leadership with weekly ordering, ensuring all items are rotated properly using the FIFO (First In, First Out) method.
- Compliance & Record Keeping: Maintain daily logs for food temperatures, refrigerator/freezer temperatures, and production records to meet state licensing and quality assurance standards.
Qualifications & Requirements
- Experience: Minimum of 1–2 years of experience cooking in a commercial kitchen, school, childcare center, or healthcare facility preferred.
- Education: High School Diploma or equivalent required.
- Certifications: ANAB-accredited Food Handlers certification is highly preferred upon hire. Note: Possession of, or the willingness to obtain, an Indiana-accepted Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) credential within 3 months of hire is a major plus.
- Background Check: Must successfully pass all state-mandated background checks, including a national FBI fingerprint criminal history check, Indiana State Police check, and sexual offender registry checks prior to employment.
- Health Clearances: Ability to provide a documentation of a negative intradermal TB skin test or chest x-ray, and a physical health examination signed by a licensed physician showing fitness for duty.
- Physical Demands: Ability to stand for long periods, lift up to 40 pounds, and safely operate standard commercial kitchen equipment.
Skills & Attributes
- Organization: Excellent time management skills to ensure multiple classrooms are fed smoothly and on schedule.
- Flexibility: A positive "team player" attitude, ready to adapt to changing enrollment numbers or special dietary requests.
- Joy for Children: A warm, friendly personality. You will occasionally interact with our young students and teachers, and a smile goes a long way in our hallways!
What We Offer
- Competitive hourly wages
- Mon–Fri schedule (No late nights or weekends!)
- Paid time off and holiday pay
- Professional development and assistance with food safety certifications
- A supportive, energetic, and rewarding work environment
Learn more about this Employer on their Career Site
