Food Services Assistant and Weekend Cook

Are you passionate about providing quality meals and creating a positive dining experience for older people?

Respect Avonlea is seeking a dedicated and enthusiastic Food Services Assistant / Cook to join our team on a fixed-term contract covering maternity leave from 1 October 2026 to 29 November 2026.

This is a unique dual-role opportunity, combining Food Services Assistant and Cook responsibilities across the week:

• Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday: Food Services Assistant
• Saturday & Sunday: Cook/Chef

Working as part of our catering team, you will play an important role in providing nutritious, appetising and resident-focused meals while maintaining the highest standards of food safety, hygiene and infection control.

About the Role

As a Food Services Assistant, you will assist with the preparation, presentation and delivery of meals and refreshments to residents, contribute to menu planning and food safety requirements, and help maintain a clean and safe food services environment.

As a Cook, you will prepare, cook and serve nourishing and attractive meals for residents, including catering for individual dietary and nutritional requirements. You will work in accordance with the Food Safety Program and support the effective day-to-day operation of the kitchen.

Across both roles, you will contribute to ensuring residents receive meals that are high quality, nutritious, appealing and tailored to their individual needs and preferences.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare, cook, present and serve quality meals and refreshments.
• Assist with meeting individual resident dietary and nutritional requirements.
• Contribute to menu planning and food preparation.
• Ensure meals and refreshments are delivered to residents in a friendly and timely manner.
• Monitor and maintain compliance with the Food Safety Program, including temperature recording and food safety documentation.
• Ensure appropriate food handling, hygiene and infection control practices are followed.
• Assist with stock monitoring and report ordering requirements.
• Maintain a clean, organised and safe kitchen and food services environment.
• Work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
• Contribute to continuous quality improvement within food services.
• Provide a respectful, friendly and resident-focused service.

About You

We are looking for someone who is reliable, organised and genuinely enjoys working with older people. You will have a strong understanding of food safety and hygiene and the ability to work confidently across both food service and cooking responsibilities.

Essential:

• Food Handling qualification/course.
• Relevant cooking qualification, such as Certificate III in Hospitality – Commercial Cookery.
• Current National Police Certificate, or ability to obtain one.
• Demonstrated experience in food preparation, cooking and food handling.
• Knowledge of food safety, hygiene and infection control requirements.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Good communication and organisational skills.
• A commitment to providing high-quality, resident-focused service.

Desirable:

• Experience working in residential aged care.
• Previous hospitality or catering experience.
• Experience catering for special dietary requirements.

Why Join Respect Avonlea?

At Respect, our mission is to care for the elderly in our communities in an environment of respect, value and belonging.

Our values of Respect, Care, Teamwork, Courage, Integrity, Innovation and Excellence guide the way we work and the way we care for our residents.

If you are a qualified Cook who enjoys a varied role and takes pride in preparing and serving quality food that makes a difference to residents' daily lives, we'd love to hear from you.

Apply now to join the Respect Avonlea team for this fixed-term maternity leave opportunity.