Cook - Wee Care Center

Cook Position Announcement

The Wee Care Center is looking for a reliable, team-oriented cook to prepare wholesome meals for the children in our care! If you love feeding people, take pride in keeping an organized kitchen, and enjoy mentoring others, we'd love to meet you.

About the Role:

As our cook, you'll plan and prepare breakfast, lunch, and two snacks daily following CACFP (Child and Adult Care Food Program) guidelines. You'll help young children discover a love for healthy foods while maintaining a clean, safe, and well-run kitchen. You'll also supervise and mentor college student assistants, modeling professionalism, teamwork, and great kitchen habits.

What You'll Do:

• Prepare nutritious meals and snacks that meet CACFP and state nutrition standards.
• Measure and portion ingredients accurately (basic math and comfort with fractions required).
• Maintain spotless sanitation and food safety practices in all areas of the kitchen.
• Organize and manage food inventory, deliveries, and storage.
• Coach and support student kitchen assistants with daily tasks and safety standards.
• Collaborate with leadership to complete required documentation and menu updates.
• Bring a positive, dependable attitude every day — we rely on consistency!

You'll Be Great at This Job If You:

• Have experience in a commercial or childcare kitchen (CACFP experience is a big plus).
• Are confident with measuring, scaling recipes, and following detailed procedures.
• Enjoy coaching others and creating a positive, team-based environment.
• Can take the lead when needed and respond well to feedback.
• Care about helping children build healthy eating habits for life.

Why You'll Love Working Here:

• Meaningful work:
  Every day, your meals help little ones grow strong, healthy, and happy.
• Positive environment:
  We're a supportive, close-knit team that values communication and kindness.
• Consistent hours:
  Enjoy steady weekday shifts — no late nights or weekends. 7:15 am-1 pm Monday - Friday
• Growth and mentorship:
  Build leadership skills by coaching student employees and learning program management.
• Purpose-driven organization:
  Be part of a program that supports student-parents and their children.

Summary of Responsibilities:

• Food Production:
  Prepare and cook daily meals (breakfast, lunch, and two snacks) following Federal Food Program (CACFP) guidelines. Ensure all food preparation and handling adhere to safe food operation procedures. Deliver meals to classrooms and inspect food preparation and serving areas for compliance with sanitation standards. Completes other kitchen-related tasks as assigned.
• Ensures the safety and needs of the children by thoroughly cleaning and maintaining all equipment in the kitchen. Maintain the cleanliness and organization of the kitchen, food prep areas, and serving stations. Oversees daily dishwashing and ensures all sanitation procedures are followed. Perform routine deep-cleaning and additional kitchen maintenance tasks as assigned. Organizes and completes all required paperwork.
• Oversee and assist kitchen helpers with training, mentoring, and coaching in accordance with sanitation standards, Federal Food Program (CACFP) guidelines, and as directed by the Operations Manager and the Assistant Director.
• Food Storage & Inventory:
  Organize and maintain dry storage, coolers, freezers, and other food storage areas. Receive and process food and supply orders according to industry standards and CACFP regulations. Accountable for all supplies needed for the operations of the kitchen.
• Compliance & Paperwork:
  Work with the Operations Manager to ensure that menus and all food program paperwork are completed and meet CACFP requirements.

Qualifications / Licenses /

Certifications:

High School Diploma or GED required and 1 year of related experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Culinary Arts Degree.

Licenses or

Certifications:

• All applicants need to have a current Utah County Food Handlers Permit and agree to complete CACFP and CPR trainings within the first 14 days of employment.

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities:

Knowledge:

• Knowledge of common cooking techniques and allowable food substitutions.
• Sanitation principles and industry best practices related to food production.
• Basic nutrition principles and their application to meal planning for children.

Skills:

• Ability to apply general food safety principles to specific food handling and preparation conditions.
• Strong organizational skills to maintain inventory and ensure efficient food service that meets meal deadlines.

Abilities:

• Able to read and interpret recipes, preparation methods, government regulations, and safety instructions.
• Ability to understand and apply sanitation procedures for cleaning and food safety.
• Accurately read and work with measurement units (e.g., grams, ounces, pounds, temperatures, and fractions).
• Follow oral and written instructions precisely.

EEO Statement:

UVU employment decisions are made on the basis of an applicant's qualifications and ability to perform the job without regard to race, color, religion, national…