Meet Our Chefs and Sample Menus

At Guardian, food is more than just mealtime – it’s a vital part of children’s growth, learning, and wellbeing.

Our Chefs and Cooks bring a wealth of experience from Australia’s vibrant café and restaurant scene, combined with a strong knowledge of children’s nutrition and development. You will want to eat their healthy food too!

Our Chefs and Cooks play a key role in your child’s learning and wellbeing. With a deep understanding of children’s health and development, they create balanced, nutritious meals that meet the Australian Dietary Guidelines while encouraging healthy habits for life.

Representing the diversity of multicultural Australia, our Chefs bring global flavours and traditions into the kitchen, giving children the chance to discover new tastes and cultures every day.

Each day, our qualified Chefs and Cooks:

• Design balanced, seasonal menus
  Each menu meets nutritional standards, with meals that fuel growing bodies and curious minds.
• Cater for individual needs
  Meals can be adapted for allergies, cultural preferences, ensuring every child feels included and cared for.
• Turn food into a learning experience
  Cooking and mealtimes become part of the learning journey, with opportunities for children to explore ingredients, taste new foods, and share in the joy of eating together.
• Maintain best-practice food safety
  From sourcing to serving, our Chefs and Cooks ensure food is prepared with extreme care and the highest hygiene standards.
• Stay creative and connected
  With ongoing training, mentoring, and collaboration, our Chefs and Cooks keep our weekly menus exciting, colourful, and inspiring.

Sample Menu

Every Guardian centre has its own unique menu, designed to reflect the needs and tastes of its community.

Here’s an example of what a weekly menu might look like at our centres, giving you a taste of the variety, balance, and creativity that go into every dish:

Monday

• Breakfast: Warm creamy oatmeal or Weet-Bix with fresh milk; toasted multigrain bread with a melted butter drizzle
• Morning Tea: Home-made granola parfait with natural Greek yogurt and freshly sliced banana
• Lunch: Fettuccine tossed with flaked tuna and sweet corn in a mild creamy sauce
  Vegetarian: Roasted chickpeas with herb-infused mushroom fettuccine
• Afternoon Tea: Freshly baked banana muffins with a hint of cinnamon

Tuesday

• Breakfast: Hearty Weet-Bix or creamy porridge with warm milk; multigrain toast with Vegemite and butter
• Morning Tea: Toasted crumpets with maple syrup, accompanied by seasonal fresh fruit
• Lunch: Classic chicken and sweet corn soup with aromatic spices. Served with toasted ciabatta bread
  Vegetarian: Tofu and sweet corn soup in a rich, savoury broth
• Afternoon Tea: Tangy rhubarb and apple crumble with a dollop of creamy yogurt

Wednesday

• Breakfast: Wholemeal English Muffins served with whipped ricotta and fresh avocado
• Morning Tea: Freshly baked raisin bread with juicy orange slices
• Lunch: Japanese beef yaki udon stir-fried with seasonal vegetables
  Vegetarian: Tofu and mixed mushroom yaki udon in soy-glazed sauce
• Afternoon Tea: Hand-rolled spinach and ricotta pastries in flaky puff pastry

Thursday

• Breakfast: Overnight bircher museli with creamy oats, fresh apple, blueberries and creamy yoghurt.
• Morning Tea: Avocado smash with crumbled feta on artisan toast
• Lunch: Lemon myrtle roasted chicken with steamed rice and vegetables
  Vegetarian: Lemon myrtle roasted seasonal vegetables with fluffy rice
• Afternoon Tea: Golden pancakes topped with berry compote

Friday

• Breakfast: Warm porridge or Weet-Bix with fresh Australian milk; multigrain toast with Vegemite and butter
• Morning Tea: Creamy chia pudding topped with fresh berries
• Lunch: Aromatic fish masala with golden turmeric rice
  Vegetarian: Fresh vegetable masala with fragrant jasmine rice

Have you seen our Guardian Childcare Cookbook? Book a tour at your local Guardian centre to meet our team and learn more about how we support your child’s nutrition and health PLUS get the Cookbook as your tour gift!