Job Summary

The Cook prepares nutritionally-balanced meals and snacks for children based on USDA and local state childcare guidelines. He/she ensures that meals are prepared and delivers food items in a manner that supports and implements family-style food service. The Cook maintains positive, supportive relationships with staff, children, parents, and regulatory officials, while adhering to local health department regulations to ensure food safety.

Qualifications

The Cook must meet the state licensing requirement for age and meet all other training requirements of state and local regulatory agencies.

Job Responsibilities

Food Service Responsibilities

• Prepares breakfast, lunch, and snacks daily based on USDA Guidelines.


• Prepares and serves lunch and snacks in amounts based on USDA Guidelines, and allowing for second helpings for children, if needed.


• Meals are served in a timely manner to coincide with each classroom’s daily schedule and maintaining holding temperatures of food.


• Serves food in appropriate containers at the appropriate temperature with appropriate serving utensils.


• Stocks shelves and refrigerators food safely and efficiently with correct dating procedures.


• Posts and follows approved menus. Posts approved, nutritionally sound substitutions, as needed.


• Post all food allergy and food restrictions alerts in kitchen with child’s name, classroom assignment, and detailed description of allergy or food restriction.


• Obeys and keeps track of all Allergy Plans for children as it relates to food and ensures that the appropriate substitutes are served to the correct children.

Fiscal Responsibilities

• Minimizes food waste while ensuring children are provided with minimum portions as well additional helpings of food if desired.


• Works with a member of management on food orders adhering to a budget and notifying management of any discrepancies in orders or price change.

Health & Safety Requirements

• Maintains a clean, safe, healthy environment through scheduled cleaning and frequent visual checks.


• Ensures food products are stored, labeled and discarded in accordance with local regulatory agencies and KRK Learning Academy policies.


• Maintains safe refrigeration and storage of food products.


• Must be able to determine food temperatures and ensure that food is served and stored at appropriate temperatures.


• Correctly cleans, sanitizes and stores dishes and utensils.


• Understands and implements emergency procedures in case of emergency situations.


• Must be CRP/First Aid Certified and when necessary, can administer CPR/First Aid, including lifting and carrying injured children.


• Implements all standards necessary to ensure a clean, safe, and healthy environment, including universal precautions.


• Maintains kitchen equipment to ensure a safe environment that meets company and licensing safety standards.


• Participates in emergency drills in accordance with company and licensing requirements.

Customer Relations

• Maintains positive communications with children, families, staff. And approved vendors.

General

• Follows all company and local regulatory agency requirements for health, safety, and hygiene procedures, including hand washing and food preparation.


• Able to count, record information, and follow recipes and instructions.


• Washes and sanitizes dishes and cookware, using sanitizing methods determined by the company and local regulatory agencies.


• Capable of safely handling knives and other sharp objects needed to prepare food.


• Able to stoop and bend to clean, store and retrieve food and utensils.


• Must be capable of lifting, carrying, and holding children and provisions in accordance with local state requirements.


• Must be able to react quickly with sound judgment and problem-solving skills in complex and critical situations, such as injuries and accidents.


• Must use excellent verbal and written communication skills with parents, children, and staff.


• Completes and maintains all required paperwork and record keeping on a timely basis and maintains same in an organized, up-to-date manner.


• Keeps Director apprised in a timely manner of all critical areas of responsibility, including serious student accidents, employee issues and significant events.


• Works well with others.


• Possesses excellent verbal and written communication skills.