Family Forum Headstart Cook

Job Description

Job Description

About This Role

URGENT HIRE: Head Start Lead Cook (HS)

Location: Phillips, WI

Program: Head Start (HS)

Schedule: Full-Time, 9-Month Academic Year Position (Enjoy school breaks/summers off!)

Training Provided: Complete CACFP, state requirement, and hands-on culinary training provided!

Fuel the Growth of Our Preschoolers!

Are you passionate about nutrition, safety, and making a daily difference in children's lives? Family Forum, Inc. is urgently seeking a detail-oriented, safety-conscious Head Start Lead Cook to join our team in Phillips, WI!

In this vital role, you aren't just cooking—you are fueling growing minds! You will oversee all aspects of our center's kitchen operations, ensuring our Head Start preschoolers receive delicious, nutritious, high-quality meals that fuel their development and learning every single day.

Why You'll Love Cooking With Us ✨

• Academic Year Schedule: Perfect for those seeking work-life balance! Enjoy summers and school breaks off with a predictable 9-month schedule.
• Paid Professional Development: We provide comprehensive training on CACFP guidelines and individual state licensing requirements—no prior food handler certificate required to apply!
• Fun, Creative Team Culture: Join in on our exciting annual "Chopped"-style cooking competition with all agency cooks, celebrating creativity and culinary teamwork across our program!

What You'll Do

What You’ll Do Compliance & Nutritional Programming

• Nutritional Excellence: Plan and prepare breakfast, lunch, and snacks aligned with CACFP guidelines, ensuring children receive the required daily nutritional needs for the Head Start program.
• Regulatory Compliance: Maintain kitchen operations in strict accordance with Head Start Performance Standards and Wisconsin DCF childcare licensing regulations.
• Dietary Accommodations: Partner with staff to prepare tailored meals for individual child dietary needs, severe allergies, and cultural preferences in full compliance with documented health requirements.

Food Safety & Kitchen Management

• Sanitation & Safety: Execute all prep, storage, and cleaning procedures to meet Wisconsin Food Code standards, including temperature logs, dishwashing sanitation, and strict handwashing protocols.
• Inventory & Audit Readiness: Manage inventory, procurement, and records. Maintain detailed cooling, reheating, and storage logs to ensure the facility is always inspection-ready.

Requirements

What You’ll Need Requirements

• Licensing Knowledge: Demonstrated understanding (or strong willingness to learn) Wisconsin Child Care Licensing and OHS food service requirements.
• Experience: Background in high-volume food service, institutional cooking, or school/childcare nutrition preferred.
• Organization: Exceptional organizational skills with a commitment to accurate record-keeping and maintaining a pristine, audit-ready kitchen.

Nice To Haves

⭐ Nice-to-Haves (Preferred Qualifications)

• CACFP Expertise: Knowledge of Child and Adult Care Food Program record-keeping and documentation.
• Menu Planning: Experience crafting nutritionally balanced, child-friendly, and culturally diverse menus within budget guidelines.
• Allergy Management: Experience safely navigating severe food allergies and specialized diet plans in group care.
• Mentorship & Local Sourcing: Experience guiding kitchen assistants/volunteers in food safety, or familiarity with local sourcing and farm-to-table initiatives.

Benefits

What We Offer

• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Paid Leave
• Sick Leave
• Retirement Plan
• Professional Development
• Competitive Pay: $17.40/hour with consistent hours during the program year.
• Full Training Support: Individualized training on state requirements and CACFP compliance.
• Community Impact: Be a core part of the support team nourishing children in the Phillips community!
• Comprehensive Benefits: Access to our health, savings, insurance, and employee assistance programs.

Ready to take the lead in our kitchen? We need a strong culinary lead to join our Phillips center as soon as possible. Apply today to help us nourish our children and families!

About Us

Family Forum, Inc. is a private, non-profit corporation that provides programs for families in Ashland, Bayfield, Douglas, Iron, and Price Counties of Wisconsin. The corporation is made up of a Governing Board who manage the affairs of the corporation through the Executive Director. The programs provided by Family Forum, Inc. are Head Start / Early Head Start.

Mission Statement

We are dedicated to preparing children and their families for success; through high quality programming, family support and wellness education, while fostering meaningful relationships.

Our Vision

Partnering with families and communities to build school readiness for all children through passionately committed relationships that connect families to goal oriented outcomes.