Chef Early Childhood

Chef - Richmond

Bring your passion for nutritious food and community to our Little Zak’s family!

Our Richmond centre is on the lookout for a Full-Time Chef who loves preparing wholesome, delicious meals and wants to be part of a warm, values-driven team.

About the Role
You’ll be the heart of our kitchen, fueling our little learners with healthy and tasty meals each day. Your key responsibilities include:

• Preparing morning tea, lunch, and afternoon tea for our 4-week rotating menu.
• Catering for special dietary, allergy, and cultural needs with care.
• Maintaining safe and hygienic food handling, storage, and preparation practices.
• Managing ordering, deliveries, and stock control within budget.
• Collaborating with the Centre Director to design and refine a wholesome, seasonal menu.
• Bringing a positive, team-oriented attitude to your daily interactions with children and educators.

About You
We’re looking for someone who’s as passionate about healthy food as they are about community! Ideally, you’ll have:

• A qualification in hospitality, commercial cookery, nutrition, or early childhood education.
• Previous experience in a childcare, aged care, or similar setting (preferred but not essential).
• Strong menu planning and allergy management knowledge.
• A Working with Children Check (or willingness to obtain one).
• Food Safety Supervisor Certificate (or willingness to obtain one).
• First Aid Certificate (or willingness to obtain one).

Why You’ll Love Working with Little Zak’s

• Up to 50% childcare discount for your own children.
• $1,000 staff referral bonus for every successful hire.
• Career development programs and study allowances (including support for ECT degrees).
• Mentoring and leadership support from our experienced management team.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for your wellbeing.

Little Zak’s Academy is a privately owned, family-run early learning group that’s been nurturing young minds for over 30 years. We’re dedicated to creating safe, welcoming, and nurturing environments where both children and educators thrive.

Little Zak's Child Safety Commitment
Little Zak’s is a Child Safe Organisation. We prioritise the safety, wellbeing, and rights of all children and maintain a strong culture of child safety across our services. As part of our commitment, we have a rigorous recruitment and screening process in place, including comprehensive reference checks, Police checks and child-safe employment checks.
  
By applying for a role with Little Zak’s, you acknowledge and agree to undergo all required child safety checks as part of our employment process.

We are an equal opportunity workplace where diversity is embraced. We foster a culture that supports inclusion and we encourage all qualified candidates to apply. 

If you’re ready to join a supportive, family-oriented team and make a real difference every day — we’d love to hear from you!
Apply Now or call 04•• ••• 514 for more information.