My position requires me to play a curriculum support and facility maintenance role in relation to the Middle School cooking classes. I am responsible for the preparation of recipes and ingredients, ordering of food and supplies, cooking utensils for practical work and class demonstrations.The position requires that I work within the structure of the Learning Area curriculum and have the opportunity to enhance the program.the role also includes budgetary responsibilities, ordering of cooking ingredients and general kitchen supplies.Main responsibilities include :Assist with class instructionClass preparationPrepare kitchen for lessonAdvance organization of programsDevelopment of recipes suitable for the ages of studentsMaintenance of storesPurchase of materials and equipmentManage orders and accountsMaintenance of kitchens and equipmentInventoryDemonstrate full awareness of work health and safety issues and procedures andcomplying with theseTaking a lead role in promoting and supporting student, staff and visitor safety and well being, anticipating and responding accordingly to potential threatsBeing familiar with emergency procedures and being ready to implement them as necessaryLiaising with Facilities and Grounds staff regarding planting of the herb garden for use in preparation of meals

I work within the Kitchen Garden program assisting with introducing young children to the wonderful world of good food via a productive garden and an exciting kitchen, as an integral part of the school curriculum.We hope to engage the curiosity of the young students and to help them learn how to grow the very best food in the very best way, how to care for it in the garden, how to recognize when it's ripe and at its best, how to prepare it easily and enjoyably and how to develop an expanding culinary palate - and be excited by these experiences.We want to convince children to to modify their eating habits because the food they are experiencing tastes so good, rather than because they are being told to eat some foods and not to eat others.

FareShare is an innovative, energetic organisation, rescuing food and fighting hunger. Since 2001 FareShare have given away healthy, nutritious meals to the hungry and the homeless in Victoria, using food donated by businesses. FareShare is a not-for-profit community organisation.Working alongside a qualified chef, I work with groups of 15 - 20 students (years 9 -12) and their teachers from around Victoria. Students are typically completing community service and/or food tech curriculum components of their VCE / VCAL studies. I supervise the preparation/cooking of up to 360 meals a shift, which are then provided to charities for distribution to families and individuals in need. An important part of this role is engaging with students and promoting their awareness of the various community social issues that confront families and individuals every day.The nature of my role involves the preparation of the kitchen prior to the students arrival, including checking refrigeration temperatures, ensuring food to be prepared has been stored safely, cleaning and sanitizing of all kitchen surfaces, setting up work stations for students with safe and well maintained equipment and organizing the ingredients to be used during the shift.Once students have arrived and have been briefed on kitchen hygiene/safety, they are briefed on the meal to be prepared for the shift. I then work alongside students and demonstrate the practical aspects of ingredient preparation, related to the recipe. Students will cover a variety of tasks including, preparing vegetables, attending to the bratpan, cooking accompaniments, all while constantly maintaining approved HACCP standards. Students are also responsible for cleaning the kitchen, cookware and utensils. After School groups have completed their shift and departed, I am then responsible for ensuring the kitchen is left in a hygienic state and that all meals are packaged and stored in line with approved HACCP standards.

The efficient day to day operation of the Swinburne Community Child Care Co-operative and ensure a high level of service that will adequately meet the intellectual, physical, social and emotional needs of the children attending the centre.Managed processing of Child Care Benefit claims through Medicare/Family Assistance Office using a govt endorsed Child Dare Management System.Ensured all compliance issues in relation to administering claims, benefits, attendances etc were managed efficiently.Ensured the Centre met and maintained all State Regulatory requirements in relation to the standard of care for all children.Successfully managed and mentored a cohesive team of nine staff.Implemented and managed successful Accreditation process for the Centre 1993 - 2010Ensured all staff duties and tasks were in accordance with HACCP practices and OH&S Act requirements, and that all staff were trained with, and maintained, accepted Level 2 First-Aide training.Introduced the EYCLF ( Early Years Curriculum Learning Framework ) to the Centre 2009 for ongoing growth of the Centres curriculumEnjoyed the daily contact and feedback with parents of children in care and developing trusting relationships with familiesDealt with phone enquiries and meet and greet interviews with potential users of the Child Care Centre on a daily basis.

Conducted Validator visits to Children's Services Australia wide on behalf of the NCAC to validate the self study reports submitted by services in both the private and community sector for the purposes of receiving Accreditation. Visits ranged between 1 - 3 days in length depending on the size of the Centres.

Visited students studying either Diploma of Children's Services or Certifcate 3 in Children's Services in their practical placements throughout the course. Responsibilities included making observations of the student in their interactions with children and staff within the program, reviewing placement tasks/assignments that the student was required to complete whilst on placement and providing guidance, feedback and support to the student.I was also required to liaise with the Centre staff to gain their feedback and comment on the students progress.Written reports we're then provided for the University records.