Prep Cook, Culinary Team

Job description

Position Overview The Prep Cook is an essential member of KIPP NYC's Culinary Team, supporting the preparation and service of fresh, high-quality meals for students and staff each school day. Reporting to the Head Chef or Sous Chef, this role helps prepare breakfast, lunch, and snacks for school communities ranging from approximately 350 to 1,350 students and staff, depending on the campus. The Prep Cook is responsible for preparing ingredients, supporting meal production, maintaining a clean and organized kitchen, and ensuring all food is prepared in accordance with the highest standards of food safety, sanitation, and quality. While previous commercial kitchen experience is preferred, KIPP NYC welcomes candidates who are eager to learn, take pride in their work, and are committed to serving students through healthy, delicious meals. This role requires a dependable, team-oriented professional who believes that every meal is an opportunity to support student health, learning, and well-being. This is a full-time, in-person position requiring on-site work five days per week. The role is based at one of our KIPP NYC campuses across the Bronx, Brooklyn, or Manhattan. Your primary work location will be determined by your leadership team. Duties and Responsibilities: General responsibilities include (but are not limited to): Food Preparation & Meal Service Prepare fresh fruits, vegetables, salads, and other menu components in accordance with standardized recipes and production schedules. Assist with preparing ingredients and food items for breakfast, lunch, snack service, and special events. Portion and serve meals to students and staff while providing a welcoming, respectful, and customer-focused experience. Maintain knowledge of menu items, ingredients, allergens, and proper food preparation techniques. Support catering events, special meal functions, and other culinary initiatives as assigned. Assist in all areas of food production and meal service based on operational needs. Food Safety & Kitchen Operations Maintain assigned workstations in a clean, organized, and sanitary condition throughout the workday. Follow all Department of Health (DOH), USDA, HACCP, and KIPP NYC food safety, sanitation, and cleaning procedures. Practice proper care, cleaning, and maintenance of kitchen equipment and tools. Follow all food handling, storage, labeling, and temperature control procedures. Maintain acceptable standards of personal hygiene and adhere to department dress code requirements. Report equipment issues, maintenance needs, and safety concerns promptly to the Head Chef or Sous Chef. Team Collaboration Work collaboratively with the culinary team to ensure efficient meal preparation and service. Support kitchen setup, service, cleanup, and daily operational tasks. Demonstrate flexibility by assisting wherever needed to ensure successful meal service. Maintain regular, dependable attendance and contribute to a positive team environment. Working Conditions Regular exposure to temperature variations, moisture, steam, and wet working conditions. Frequent standing, walking, bending, reaching, lifting, and repetitive hand motions. Ability to lift and move supplies, equipment, and food items weighing up to 50 pounds. Exposure to heat from ovens, burners, steam tables, and other commercial kitchen equipment. Exposure to cutting and slicing equipment and machinery with moving parts. Exposure to moderate to high noise levels during meal preparation and service. Required to wear appropriate personal protective equipment and follow all kitchen safety procedures. High school diploma or equivalent preferred. Previous experience working in a commercial kitchen, school nutrition program, restaurant, or food service environment preferred, but not required. Fundamental understanding of food safety, sanitation, and cleanliness practices, or willingness to learn. Knowledge of commercial kitchen equipment and safe food preparation techniques preferred. Food Handler's Certification preferred but not required upon hire. Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment while maintaining high standards of quality and customer service. Strong interpersonal skills that contribute to a collaborative, respectful, and positive work environment. Effective written and verbal communication skills. Self-motivated with strong problem-solving skills and the ability to work independently while supporting team goals. Ability to perform the physical requirements of the role, including standing for extended periods; carrying, bending, stretching, stooping, pushing, pulling, and lifting items weighing up to 50 pounds. Resourceful, adaptable, and willing to support all aspects of kitchen operations to ensure high-quality meal service. Demonstrates professionalism by modeling KIPP NYC's core values of zest, grit, hope, love, social intelligence, gratitude, and a sense of humor in all interactions with students, families, colleagues, and community members. Believes that food is an expression of care and is committed to providing students with fresh, nutritious, and high-quality meals every day. Demonstrates a commitment to continuous learning, professional growth, and continuous improvement by actively seeking and applying constructive feedback. Deep commitment to KIPP NYC's mission and belief that every student deserves access to healthy, high-quality meals that support joyful, academically excellent schools. Compensation & Benefits: KIPP NYC offers an hourly rate of $18.00 – $20.00. Hourly ranges at KIPP NYC are standardized by role level and function, and individual rates are determined with an equity lens, taking into account years of relevant experience. KIPP NYC offers a generous benefits package, including, but not limited to, the following: Robust benefits include medical, dental, and vision. Generous time off, including 5 school vacation weeks, sick and personal days, and an extended summer break. Up to 12 weeks of 100% parental leave. Bright Horizon Back-up Child and Elder Care. Employer-paid Life Insurance and Short-term/Long-term disability. Employee incentives include an 8-week paid Sabbatical after 10 years, annual professional development funds, and tuition reimbursement. This description is intended to describe the type of work being performed by a person assigned to this position. It is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities required by the employee. This role is based in NYC and will require travel to our schools. If you relocate outside of a commutable distance or out of the state of NY, your employment will be subject to review, which may include separation from KIPP NYC. You must notify HR if you move or have plans to relocate. KIPP NYC LLC does not offer visa sponsorship or work authorization. KIPP NYC LLC is committed to creating a welcoming environment that includes employees with diverse backgrounds and experiences. We believe that enables us to better meet our mission and values while serving students and families throughout New York City. KIPP NYC LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. KIPP NYC LLC is committed to the principles of equal employment opportunity for all employees and applicants for employment. About KIPP NYC: Founded in 1995, KIPP NYC Public Schools is a non-profit network of 18 free, public charter schools located in the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Manhattan. We partner with families and communities to create joyful, academically excellent schools where every child grows up free to create the future they want for themselves and their communities. From our first middle school, KIPP Academy in the Bronx, to today’s network of eight elementary schools, nine middle schools, and one high school, KIPP NYC provides students with engaging academics, arts, athletics, and social–emotional learning that prepare them for college, career, and beyond. Our commitment doesn’t end at graduation. Through KIPP Forward, we continue to support our alumni as they navigate college, career, and life, helping them define success on their own terms and pursue the paths that align with their goals and sense of purpose. Together, we serve more than 9,400 students, support 4700 alumni, and employ over 1,100 dedicated team members who bring passion, expertise, and commitment to our mission every day. About KIPP NYC Culinary: Since 2016, the KIPP NYC Culinary Team has been reimagining what school food can be by providing students with fresh, scratch-cooked, nutritious, and delicious meals at no cost to students or families. As an extension of KIPP NYC's commitment to creating joyful, academically excellent schools, the Culinary Team plays a vital role in ensuring students have access to healthy meals that support their learning, well-being, and overall success. Today, the Culinary Team serves nearly 10,000 students across 18 KIPP NYC schools and continues to expand its innovative scratch-cooking model. In Fall 2026, the team will complete its expansion across the network, bringing high-quality school meals to every KIPP NYC student. In recognition of its impact and bold vision for the future, KIPP NYC was awarded a Regional School Food Infrastructure Grant by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets. This transformational investment will support the development of the KIPP NYC Culinary Institute—a central production and teaching kitchen, commissary, and workforce development hub that will strengthen school meal operations, expand career pathways for students, and deepen partnerships with local communities and New York State food producers.