Location: Hackensack, NJ Pay: Depending on Experience, Certifications and Qualifications Job Type: Full Time
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.
If you have food service experience and enjoy preparing meals for children, apply today to join The Learning Experience as a Preschool Cook.