WE'RE HIRING! Childcare Centre Chef / Cook

Connections Early Learning & Childcare Centre | Calgary, AB

Where little bellies are filled, healthy habits are nurtured, and food is made with love!

At Connections Early Learning & Childcare Centre, we believe that food is so much more than just a meal. It's an opportunity to nourish growing bodies, explore new flavours, build independence, and create meaningful childhood memories.

We are looking for a passionate, creative, organized, and caring Chef/Cook who loves working around children and takes pride in preparing fresh, nutritious, and delicious meals.

Our ideal candidate understands that feeding children isn't simply about putting food on a plate. It's about making mealtimes enjoyable, introducing children to new foods, and ensuring that every little belly leaves the table happy and full!

Key Responsibilities

Menu Planning & Nutrition

- Develop creative, balanced summer and winter menus following Canada's Food Guide and appropriate for children aged 12 months to 5 years.
- Prepare fresh, nutritious, child-friendly meals and snacks daily.
- Offer a variety of flavours, textures, and culturally diverse foods to encourage healthy eating habits.
- Accommodate food allergies, dietary restrictions, and individual nutritional needs while maintaining strict food safety practices.
- Ensure appropriate portion sizes, with additional servings available when needed, so every child has enough to eat.

Grocery Shopping & Kitchen Management

- Plan and complete grocery shopping for the centre.
- Manage food inventory, ordering, storage, and rotation to minimize waste.
- Work within an established food budget while maintaining high standards of quality and nutrition.
- Keep the kitchen clean, sanitized, organized, and running efficiently.
- Follow all applicable Alberta Health Services (AHS) food safety requirements, including safe food handling, temperature monitoring, proper storage, cleaning, and sanitation.
- Maintain accurate kitchen records and food safety documentation as required.





Meaningful Cooking Experiences with Children

This is one of the most exciting parts of the role!

At Connections, we believe children learn through hands-on experiences, curiosity, and meaningful connections.

We want a chef who is excited to bring the joy of cooking into our classrooms!

- Collaborate with educators to create age-appropriate cooking and food exploration experiences.
- Introduce children to ingredients, textures, smells, tastes, and different cultural foods.
- Organize fun experiences such as baking bread, making fruit salads, preparing healthy snacks, and exploring seasonal ingredients.
- Encourage independence, teamwork, early math, science, and practical life skills through cooking.
- Help children understand where their food comes from and develop a lifelong appreciation for healthy eating.
- Ensure all cooking experiences are safe, engaging, and developmentally appropriate.

Qualifications & Requirements
- Previous professional cooking or kitchen experience required; experience in childcare, schools, or institutional kitchens is an asset.
- Culinary certification or Red Seal endorsement is an asset.
- Valid food safety certification or willingness to obtain required certification.
- Strong understanding of nutrition, food allergies, safe food handling, and kitchen sanitation.
- Ability to independently plan menus, shop for groceries, manage inventory, and prepare meals for a large group of children.
- Excellent organizational, time management, and communication skills.
- Ability to work collaboratively with educators and centre leadership.
- A genuine love for children and enthusiasm for creating meaningful food experiences.




- Ability to meet applicable childcare screening and background check requirements.

BONUS: Alberta Early Childhood Educator Level 1 certification!

Candidates with their Level 1 ECE certification will be considered an asset, especially those who enjoy participating in classroom experiences and connecting with children.

Who We're Looking For

We want someone who

- Cooks with love and takes pride in every meal.
- Understands that children's nutritional needs are just as important as those of adults.
- Is creative and willing to try new recipes and seasonal menus.
- Can balance nutrition, taste, presentation, and budget.
- Takes initiative and treats the kitchen as their own space to care for.
- Is warm, patient, dependable, and genuinely enjoys being around young children.
- Believes that food can be an important part of early childhood education.

Why Join Connections?

Connections Early Learning & Childcare Centre is a growing, not-for-profit early learning community located in the heart of Calgary.

Our philosophy is rooted in relationships, respect, creativity, and meaningful learning experiences. We are inspired by Reggio Emilia, Montessori, and emergent curriculum approaches.

We don't want someone who simply comes in, cooks, and leaves. We want someone who becomes part of our Connections family, who gets excited when children try something current, and who finds joy in hearing a little voice say, "Can I have some more, please?"

Rooted in Love. Growing Through Connection.

How to Apply

If you're passionate about cooking, children's nutrition, and making a difference in the early years, we'd love to hear from you!

Please send your resume and a brief introduction about yourself to:

[email protected]

Location: Suite 200, 1013 17 Avenue SW, Calgary, Alberta

Subject: Chef/Cook Application – Connections ELCC

Come help us nourish little bodies, curious minds, and growing hearts — one delicious meal at a time!

Pay: $20.00-$36.26 per hour

Expected hours: 40.0 per week

Work Location: In person

📌 Chef (Calgary)
🏢 Connections Early Learning Childcare Centre
📍 Calgary