Childcare Cook/Food Safety Supervisor

KingKids Dandenong is seeking a warm, passionate and experienced Cook to join our team.

Our kitchen is at the heart of the centre. This role is about creating nutritious, delicious and culturally diverse meals that children genuinely enjoy, while ensuring the highest standards of food safety, allergy management, cleanliness and child safety.

It is also much more than cooking. Our Cook is part of the KingKids community, building beautiful relationships with children, families and educators. You will greet families as they arrive, acknowledge children who visit the kitchen, learn about the cultures and food traditions within our community, and bring that understanding into the meals you prepare.

• Plan, prepare and cook nutritious meals and snacks for children each day

• Prepare food using a variety of flavours, spices and cuisines that reflect our diverse community

• Cater confidently and safely for allergies, dietary requirements, cultural preferences and individual needs

• Follow allergy and anaphylaxis management procedures and maintain strict controls to prevent cross-contamination

• Maintain high standards of food safety, hygiene, safe food preparation and storage

• Complete kitchen cleaning and maintain a clean, organised and welcoming kitchen environment

• Manage meal preparation, kitchen organisation and food supplies

• Adapt menus and meals where required to meet children's changing dietary needs

• Build positive relationships with children, families and educators

• Learn about our families and incorporate their cultures, traditions and food preferences into the meals prepared

• Understand and uphold the Child Safe Standards and KingKids' child safety policies and procedures

• Maintain professional boundaries and contribute to a culture where the safety, wellbeing and best interests of children are always prioritised

We are looking for someone who takes genuine pride in both their cooking and their kitchen.

You will be:

• Passionate and confident in cooking fresh, nutritious food for children

• Experienced in meal preparation and catering for groups

• Flexible and confident in managing allergies, intolerances, dietary requirements and cultural food needs

• Knowledgeable about food safety, hygiene, cross-contamination and safe food handling

• Clean, organised and committed to maintaining a high-quality kitchen environment

• Comfortable preparing food using a variety of flavours, spices and cuisines

• Warm, friendly and approachable with children, families and educators

• Respectful and appreciative of diverse cultures, backgrounds and food traditions

• Committed to creating a safe, inclusive and child-focused environment

• Willing to actively uphold KingKids' commitment to child safety

To be considered for this role, you will need:

• A current Food Safety Supervisor Certificate

• Current Food Handling/Food Safety training

• A current Working with Children Check

• A sound understanding of the Victorian Child Safe Standards and your responsibilities when working in an early childhood environment

• Strong knowledge of allergy, anaphylaxis and dietary management

• Availability to work 5 days per week

• Approximately 27.5 hours per week

At KingKids, child safety is everyone's responsibility. All team members are expected to understand and uphold our Child Safe Standards, policies and procedures and actively contribute to an environment where children feel safe, respected and supported.

If you love cooking, take pride in creating a beautiful and organised kitchen, and want to be part of a diverse early learning community where food brings people together, we'd love to hear from you.

Please apply through SEEK or send an email to ******@kingkids.com.au