Ready to serve up some joy? Join us at NRNC for your next culinary adventure! As the Cook, you will be at the heart of this caring community, preparing fresh, high-quality meals to meet a diverse range of dietary requirements.

You will ensure every meal meets strict food safety standards, in addition to those designed by our in-house dietician. Your role will also include supervising kitchen staff, assisting with perfectly plating meals, monitoring temperatures and working within set time frames to deliver hot, cold and speciality meals promptly.

Ready to meat the challenge? Apply now to help us keep kindness and joy on the menu!

Job details

About us:

North Rockhampton Nursing Centre (NRNC) caters for those who are unable to live independently at home for a variety of reasons. It is home to over 120 residents and is spread over three wings:

Cecil Pritchard Wing: Provides extensive high level aged care to all residents there is a large lounge area which always provides socialisation opportunities.

Ivy Baker Wing: Provides specialist high level dementia care, and has a large outdoor area for residents to mobilise in.

Westwood Wing: Provides high level residential aged care, as well as transition care and interim care places. This wing is accessible via swipe card for additional security.

About the role:

• Provide an effective and efficient cooking service through the production of quality food menu items, for a variety of client diets, consistent with food service standards, policies, and procedures.
• Meals that are made fresh must meet all recipe standards that have been set by the dietitian.
• Ensure menu preparation and collation is completed within established cut-off times.
• Supervise and assist with meal plating to ensure meals are plated according to menu selection, portion control, allergy requirements and established quality standards.
• Supervise OO2 kitchen staff.
• Menu Monitor is to provide assistance to Cooks to complete their selections in accordance with individualised Nutritional Care Plans.

About you:

• Cert III or Cert IV in Commercial Cookery is mandatory for this role. 
• This position requires the incumbent to function as a Food Safety Supervisor.
• Possession of this qualification or the ability to undertake a Food Safety Supervisor course would be highly regarded.
• Demonstrated knowledge in the monitoring of menus and clients' needs in aged care environment.
• Demonstrated knowledge and ability to fresh cook following recipes, use of catering equipment, products, dietary requirements, standards, policy and procedures and Food Safety Program for Aged Care Facility.
• Demonstrated ability to provide guidance to less experienced staff member for meeting the Aged Care Standards.
• Ability to organise tasks in an efficient manner to meet the time requirements of the meal service schedule.

What we offer:

Total remuneration value of up to $69,306 p.a. is comprised of:

• An hourly rate between $36.66 – $38.23 p.h.
• 12.75% employer superannuation contribution
• 17.5% leave loading

Additional Benefits

• Ongoing Professional Development and Education Opportunities
• Flexible Work-Life Balance and Variety
• Generous Salary Sacrificing Options
• Paid Parental Leave
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Discounted Private Health Insurance
• Fitness Passport

Vaccine Preventable Diseases (VPD) requirements:

It is a condition of employment for this role for the employee to be, and remain, vaccinated against vaccine preventable diseases as listed on the Role Description.

How to apply:

To apply, please submit the following:

• Your current CV or resume, including referees.
• A cover letter (1-2 pages) addressing how your experience, skills and values align with the key responsibilities and expectations outlined in the Role Description.
• Any additional forms / evidence as attached or listed on the Role Description.

For assistance:

1. Contact Recruitment.CentralQueensland@health.qld.gov.au
2. Quote the Job Ad Reference (JAR) RK6A675506

Applications close: Monday 23 February 2026

#Rockhampton

Further information

We are committed to building inclusive cultures in the Queensland public sector that respect and promote human rights and diversity.

This position will be filled in accordance with Queensland Public Health Sector (QUEENSLAND HEALTH) CERTIFIED AGREEMENT (No. 11) 2022.

Documents

Before applying for this vacancy please ensure you read the documents below.

• Information for Applicants (PDF)
  
  RK6B675506 - Cook (PDF)