Lead Chef

About The Role

We are seeking a passionate and creative Lead Chef to join our team at Happy Campers De Soto Montessori School!

If you love working with fresh ingredients, enjoy creating fun and nutritious meals, and have a passion for providing children with high-quality food, we want to hear from you.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare three meals daily: 9:30 AM Snack, 11:30 AM Lunch, 3:30 PM Snack
• Plan and design monthly menus, incorporating healthy and exciting options that cater to young children’s nutritional needs.
• Utilize provided recipes and sample menus as a foundation for meal prep while adding your creative flair.
• Cook meals for approximately 30 children daily (with the potential to scale up to 50–75 kids as enrollment grows).
• Manage food inventory and maintain a clean, organized kitchen environment in compliance with food safety standards.
• Incorporate seasonal or fresh ingredients from the school garden into meals, fostering a farm-to-table approach.
• Occasionally engage with the children to make meal experiences fun and interactive (e.g., cooking demos or themed snacks).

Requirements

• Experience as a cook or chef, preferably in a childcare, school, or similar setting.
• Strong organizational skills for menu planning and meal prep.
• Able to prepare meals in large batches while maintaining quality and consistency.
• A passion for working with children and an understanding of their dietary needs.

About The Company

Why Join Us? At Happy Campers, we pride ourselves on providing children with healthy, delicious meals in a nature-based Montessori environment. This role allows you to be part of a supportive and collaborative team that values creativity, sustainability, and community.