Head Start Lead Cook (EHS & HS)

Job Description

Job Description

About This Role

Family Forum, Inc. is seeking a detail-oriented and safety-conscious Lead Cook for our center at 1500 N 34th St. In this role, you will manage all aspects of our kitchen operations to ensure we provide nutritious, high-quality meals that meet both Office of Head Start Performance Standards and Wisconsin DCF Child Care Licensing regulations.

Compliance & Standards: Maintain kitchen operations in strict accordance with Head Start Performance Standards and Wisconsin DCF 251 childcare licensing regulations.

Nutritional Programming: Plan and prepare breakfast, lunch, and snacks that meet CACFP nutritional guidelines, ensuring children receive the required 1/3 to 2/3 of their daily nutritional needs (depending on program duration).

Food Safety & Sanitation: Execute all food preparation, storage, and cleaning procedures to meet Wisconsin Food Code standards. This includes maintaining proper temperature logs for hot/cold holding, dishwashing sanitation, and strict handwashing protocols.

Inventory & Documentation: Manage inventory, procurement, and records to ensure audit readiness. Maintain all required logs (e.g., cooling, reheating, and storage) as mandated by state and federal guidelines.

Dietary Accommodations: Work closely with staff to prepare meals tailored to individual child dietary needs, allergies, and cultural preferences, ensuring full compliance with documented health requirements.

Demonstrated knowledge of Wisconsin Child Care Licensing (DCF 251) and OHS food service requirements.

Experience in high-volume food service, institutional cooking, or childcare nutrition.

Strong organizational skills with a commitment to maintaining detailed, accurate documentation and inspection-ready facilities.

Menu Planning Experience: Familiarity with creating nutritionally balanced, child-friendly, and culturally diverse menus within strict budget and regulatory constraints.

CACFP Expertise: In-depth knowledge of the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) documentation and record-keeping procedures.

Culinary Background: Prior experience in a professional kitchen or school nutrition program.

Training & Mentorship: Experience in providing guidance or informal training to kitchen assistants or volunteers regarding food safety and prep procedures.

Allergy Management: Advanced experience in identifying and safely managing severe food allergies and specialized diet protocols in a group setting.

Local Sourcing: Awareness of or experience with farm-to-table initiatives or sourcing fresh ingredients from local regional providers.

• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Paid Leave
• Retirement Plan
• Professional Development

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.

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

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