Find & Apply For Chef Jobs in Carpinteria, California

Do you enjoy cooking, planning meals, and keeping a kitchen organized—but want something different from the traditional restaurant environment? 4 Kids 2 Kids SAFE House is looking for a dependable and creative Part-Time Chef to oversee meal planning, grocery shopping, food preparation, and kitchen organization for our residential program serving youth in foster care. This is a unique culinary position focused on creating nutritious, comforting, and youth-friendly meals in a home-like environment. You'll have the opportunity to involve residents in menu ideas, introduce new foods, and help make mealtimes an enjoyable and consistent part of their day. There are no restaurant crowds, customer orders, or late-night kitchen shifts. Instead, you'll work primarily during daytime hours preparing meals and meal components, organizing the kitchen, shopping for groceries, and making sure staff have everything they need to serve meals when you're not onsite. For regulatory purposes, this position is classified as Support Staff under California Title 22 requirements.

Schedule:

Approximately 24 hours per week with flexible daytime scheduling based on program needs. What You'll DoMeal Planning & Cooking Create weekly menus with input from youth and program staff. Plan balanced, nutritious meals while incorporating foods our residents actually enjoy. Prepare meals, ingredients, and meal components for upcoming days. Make sure meals prepared in advance are clearly labeled, dated, stored, and easy for residential staff to cook or serve. Help provide healthy, accessible snacks and beverages for residents. Support positive and enjoyable mealtime experiences within the home. Grocery Shopping & Kitchen Management Complete regular grocery shopping using agency funds and an established food budget. Maintain food inventory and help reduce unnecessary food waste. Keep refrigerators, freezers, pantries, and food-storage areas organized and well stocked. Receive and properly store grocery and supply deliveries. Monitor expiration dates, food quality, and storage practices. Maintain an organized inventory of kitchen and household supplies. Food Safety & Kitchen Compliance Maintain a clean, sanitary, and organized kitchen. Ensure food is properly stored, labeled, dated, and rotated. Maintain required refrigerator and freezer temperature logs. Conduct routine checks for expired, spoiled, or improperly stored food. Follow food-safety practices and applicable Community Care Licensing and Title 22 requirements. Help keep the kitchen prepared for licensing inspections. Report equipment, maintenance, sanitation, or food-service concerns to management. Facility Support Because this position is part of a residential program, the Chef may occasionally assist with other reasonable facility-support and organizational tasks when needed. Who We're Looking For We're looking for someone who is reliable, organized, self-directed, and genuinely enjoys cooking for others. Previous experience in any of the following is helpful but not required: Cooking or meal preparation Restaurants, catering, or hospitality School or institutional food service Residential programs, group homes, or STRTPs Grocery purchasing or food inventory Meal planning or kitchen management Experience working in an STRTP or knowledge of Title 22 is not required—we can train the right person.

The ideal candidate:

Is comfortable working independently Has strong organization and time-management skills Can plan meals within a budget Understands basic food safety and sanitation Is dependable and detail-oriented Communicates well with staff and youth Can adapt when plans or priorities change Maintains appropriate professional boundaries and confidentiality Brings a positive and respectful presence into a youth-centered home A high school diploma or equivalent is preferred. Physical Requirements This is an active position involving grocery shopping, cooking, stocking, cleaning, and organizing.

Employees must be able to:

Successfully complete the required pre-employment LIC 503 physical examination. Lift, carry, push, and pull up to 50 pounds. Load and unload groceries and supplies. Stand and walk for extended periods. Bend, kneel, squat, reach, twist, and use step stools while stocking and organizing. Safely use knives, kitchen equipment, and small appliances. Perform routine cooking, cleaning, stocking, and food-preparation tasks. Employment Requirements Employment is contingent upon completion of applicable requirements, including: California DOJ, FBI, and required Community Care Licensing background clearances Health screening and tuberculosis clearance LIC 503 physical examination Valid California Driver's License and acceptable driving record Eligibility to drive agency vehicles under the agency's automobile insurance requirements Required agency orientation and STRTP training Employees must follow applicable Community Care Licensing and Title 22 requirements, agency policies, confidentiality requirements, professional boundaries, and mandated reporter responsibilities. Schedule Part-Time | Approximately 24 Hours Per Week Primarily daytime hours Flexible scheduling based on program needs No traditional restaurant dinner rush or late-night kitchen schedule Residential/home-style cooking environment A Different Kind of Culinary Role At 4 Kids 2 Kids SAFE House, food is more than another item on the daily schedule. A familiar meal, a favorite snack, or getting to have a say in what's for dinner can help make a residential program feel a little more like home . Our Chef plays an important role in creating that environment. You'll have the independence to organize the kitchen, plan menus, shop, prepare meals, and help us maintain a food program that is nutritious, organized, compliant, and responsive to the youth who live here. If you're looking for a part-time cooking position with daytime hours, independence, and an opportunity to use your skills in a meaningful setting , we'd love to hear from you. Equal Employment Opportunity 4 Kids 2 Kids SAFE House is an Equal Opportunity Employer and considers qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Pay:

$20.00 - $22.00 per hour

Work Location:

In person