Head Cook - Childcare

Job Description

Job Description

Head Cook

General responsibilities: 

The Head Cook maintains the café and kitchen, provides food that is healthy, well-balanced and meets Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) regulations. Creates monthly and weekly menus. Keeps an effective flow of communication going between the kitchen and the administrative team. The Head Cook maintains appropriate records, resources, and files. Serves as a Christian role model for the staff, children and families.

Accountability:

The Head Cook is accountable to the Administrator.

Key Responsibilities:

Kitchen Operations:

• Maintains a clean, organized, inspection-ready kitchen.
• Maintain food temperatures and food safety.
• Maintain sanitation standards.
• Organize storage areas.
• Rotate inventory.
• Maintain equipment and supplies.
• Ensure kitchen cleanliness exceeds health department expectations.

Nutrition & Meal Preparation:

• Prepare healthy, nutritious breakfasts, lunches, and snacks.
• Plan monthly and weekly menus using KidKare.
• Accommodate allergies and dietary restrictions.
• Ensure meals meet CACFP requirements.

Stewardship:

• Order food and supplies responsibly.
• Manage kitchen budget wisely.
• Minimize waste.
• Maintain required records.

Team Collaboration:

• Partner with administrators.
• Support classroom schedules.
• Build positive relationships.
• Serve as a ministry partner to the entire Thrive team.

Qualifications/Attributes/Education Needed: 

• Attends professional training seminars to meet CACFP requirements and health department regulations (ServSafe certification).
• Excellent time management and organizational skills.
• Clear written and verbal communication ability.
• Restaurant or cooking experience and/or ministry background.
• Budget-minded.
• Shows initiative, is self-directed and is an effective communicator that possesses an ability to interact well with parents, peers, and administrative staff.
• Must be able to manage confidential information.