Bright Horizons
Education & EdTechDirect Workday career site

Cook

Pay
$14 – $19 per hour
Location
McHenry, IL · On-site
Job type
Full-time
Level
Mid-level
Education
High school diploma or equivalent
Listed
23 days ago

Skills & highlights for this role

  • food handler certification
  • food safety
  • allergy management
  • sanitation procedures
  • inventory management

Also useful

  • nutrition coursework

Stated benefits & perks

  • Medical
  • Dental
  • Vision
  • 401k
  • Sick leave

About the role

As a Cook at Bright Horizons, you will plan and prepare nutritious, family-style meals that support children's health, growth, and learning. Each day, your care in the kitchen will create a warm, predictable routine for children, educators, and center staff. From simmering soups to perfectly portioned plates, your work will fuel growing minds. Join a team where your contributions matter and where you are supported to grow professionally while making a meaningful difference each day. Must be available Monday through Friday, 6:15am-3:15pm. No nights or weekends! Benefits available!

Responsibilities

  • Plan and prepare balanced, family-style meals and snacks following approved menus, nutritional guidelines, and daily attendance counts.
  • Maintain a clean, safe, and organized kitchen by following food safety, allergy-management, sanitation, and health procedures.
  • Manage food and supply inventory, place orders through approved vendors, and partner with center staff to support smooth daily meal service.

Qualifications

Candidates must pass required state and company background checks and meet state and company minimum education and experience requirements: 18 years of age with a high school diploma or GED is required Having or obtaining a food handler certification within 30 days of hire is required Course work or certification in Nutrition is preferred Food service experience in a childcare center, school cafeteria, commercial kitchen, or high-volume food service setting is preferred Be part of a community where people grow, futures are shaped, and lives are changed.

  • We offer the rewards, opportunities, and support you deserve because making a difference goes both ways.
  • We're changing the world of work and family, and it starts with you.
  • At Bright Horizons, you're the difference.
  • Physical

Requirements

This position requires the employee to comply with all applicable federal, state, local, Bright Horizons', and client site requirements concerning immunizations, employment physical/screening, and health and safety training.

If hired, you will work in person in an early education/preschool child care center to provide food service per Bright Horizons' policies, procedures and guidance, in compliance with any applicable laws and regulations, and in a manner that will ensure safety of children in Bright Horizons care and the employee.

Physical demands include lifting and carrying food and supplies (typically 10 to 40 pounds, occasionally up to 50 pounds), standing for extended periods, bending, reaching, pushing carts, and performing repetitive kitchen and cleaning tasks. Employees must maintain mental and physical alertness and be able to respond immediately and appropriately to unexpected situations or emergencies.

Compensation

The hourly rate for this position is between $14.42 - $19.47 per hour. The pay range listed here is what Bright Horizons in good faith anticipates offering for this job opening. Actual compensation offers within this range will depend on a variety of factors including experience, education and training, certifications, geography, and other relevant business or organizational factors.

Whether you're nurturing a child's first steps or supporting the systems behind the scenes, your work creates real impact. We're a community that celebrates individuality, invests in your growth, and supports your whole self. Because when you thrive, so do the children, families, and clients we serve. Join us and help build a brighter future - for yourself and for others.

Bright Horizons complies with the laws and regulations described in the following federal government resources: Know Your Rights, Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and Employee Polygraph Protection Act (EPPA).

Read the original posting

From Bright Horizons's careers page, first listed on Rolev.ai on October 18, 2026. Rolev.ai is not the employer.

How Rolev.ai helps with this application

Rolev.ai is a job search and application tool for US job seekers. For this Cook role at Bright Horizons, it shows how your resume fits, tailors your resume to the posting, and prepares the application for you to review.

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Common questions

What is the salary for the Cook role at Bright Horizons?

The Cook posting at Bright Horizons states compensation of $14 – $19 per hour. It is listed as a full-time position. Final pay may depend on location, experience, and interview evaluation on Bright Horizons's official career site.

Where is the Cook job at Bright Horizons located?

This Cook position at Bright Horizons is located in McHenry, IL (On-site). Always check Bright Horizons's application page for specific state eligibility or relocation policies.

What qualifications are required for Cook at Bright Horizons?

For the Cook role, Bright Horizons highlights a high school diploma or equivalent; experience with food safety, allergy management, sanitation procedures, inventory management. Rolev.ai can score your existing resume against these requirements and show any skill gaps before you apply.

How do I apply for the Cook position at Bright Horizons?

This listing links directly to Bright Horizons's Workday application page. You can apply directly on Bright Horizons's site, or use Rolev.ai to check your resume fit, generate a zero-hallucination tailored resume and cover letter for this posting, and autofill the Workday application form in 1 click with the Rolev.ai Chrome extension. You always review the form and press Submit yourself.