Job Description

School Cook

At Yay, lunch is our favorite subject. Yay is out to fundamentally change K-12 school food for the better. We believe that every student should have the opportunity to enjoy a freshly made, wholesome meal they'll love while at school, and that parents should trust that their child feels cared for and nourished.

Founded by parents for parents in 2018, we have expanded and evolved, now serving multiple markets from Chicago to Connecticut and down the East Coast. We have exciting plans and we can't wait to bring our mission to more schools.

We'd love to have you on the team! As a startup, we hustle with heart. We're team players and self-starters. We want you to love what you do, and we give you the tools to succeed with our commitment to flexibility, transparency, respect, empowerment, and positivity. Come join us!

Position Overview:

We're looking for a hands-on, passionate School Cook at one of our partner schools in Chicago to bring our menus to life each day. Working closely with the Operations Manager, you'll prepare and serve meals (hot + cold) that are fresh, nutritious, and kid-approved. This is a fast-paced, detail-oriented role ideal for someone who loves cooking and takes pride in quality and consistency. This will be a full-time role (approximately 30 hours per week).

Responsibilities:

• Prepare and cook daily meals according to established recipes and portion guidelines
• Ensure all food is fresh, appealing, and aligned with our brand's quality standard and prepared and delivered at accurate meal times.
• Follow all food safety and sanitation guidelines consistently
• Assist with receiving, organizing, and storing ingredients and supplies
• Control inventory and place orders
• Support setup, plating, and serving of meals in a timely manner
• Maintain a clean, organized, and efficient kitchen workspace
• Provide feedback to management on recipe execution, portions, or food preferences
• Collaborate with team members to keep service smooth and on schedule

Qualifications:

• Prior experience as a line cook or food prep staff, ideally in a high production environment or school or similar setting
• Experience with batch cooking and then repackaging into individual meals
• Strong understanding of basic cooking techniques and food safety standards
• Ability to follow recipes, take direction, and work efficiently in a team
• Enthusiasm for wholesome, fresh food and working with a purpose-driven brand
• ServSafe Food Handler Certification (or willingness to obtain within first 14 days of employment)

What We Offer:

• A supportive and collaborative team environment
• Competitive hourly pay at $19/hour
• The opportunity to be part of a mission-driven food program making a difference in kids' lives
• Predictable hours that support work-life balance

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