ECE Centre Cook (BestStart Queenstown)

About the Company BestStart Queenstown is seeking a passionate and dedicated Centre Cook to enhance our vibrant and close-knit team. Situated in the heart of Queenstown, we pride ourselves on building strong relationships with families and our broader community, ensuring a nurturing environment for our children. About the Role In this role, you will be responsible for providing fresh, nutritious, and appealing meals for our children on a daily basis. Our kitchen is centrally located within the centre, allowing for frequent interactions with the children. You will engage with our tamariki, answer their questions, and contribute to the lively atmosphere of our centre. This is a permanent position requiring 30 hours of work per week, from Monday to Friday, with flexible scheduling. We prefer someone who can begin around 7:30 AM, but we are open to discussing flexibility for the right candidate. Key Responsibilities - Plan, prepare, and cook healthy and culturally diverse meals for children, including morning tea, lunch, and afternoon tea. - Ensure that all meals meet the nutritional needs of young children. - Maintain high standards of hygiene, food safety, and cleanliness in the kitchen. - Manage food ordering within budget and maintain necessary records. - Engage positively with children while working in an open, child-friendly kitchen environment. What We're Looking For - Previous experience in cooking or a similar food service role is essential. - Experience working with children is a bonus. - A passion for creating healthy, child-friendly food. - A good understanding of allergies and dietary needs. - Familiarity with health and safety standards in a kitchen setting. - Confidence with basic computer tasks, including menu planning and placing orders. Benefits - Paid Food Handling Certificate. - Access to Whare Ako, our online learning platform. - Professional development support for those looking to advance their careers. - A $2000 referral bonus for referring a qualified teacher. - Discounted childcare services. - Health and wellbeing benefits, which include: - Subsidised Southern Cross health insurance. - Free annual flu vaccinations. - Confidential counselling support through our Employee Assistance Program. - A wellbeing programme. - Sick leave from your first day. - An additional week of leave after 10 years of service. How to Apply If you are ready to join a supportive team where collaboration, care, and a passion for learning are central to our mission, please click "Apply Now." We look forward to welcoming you to our team.