Head Cook

Head Cook

About The Accelerated School

At The Accelerated Schools we believe in the boundless potential of every student and are committed to helping them thrive. Located just south of Downtown Los Angeles we serve a vibrant community of over 1700 TK12 students and are dedicated to preparing them to excel in college career and life. Our approach blends innovation equity and compassion creating an environment where students are empowered to take ownership of their learning and their future.

• Our Instructional Approach: Our instructional approach incorporates research-based practices including project-based learning student choice & voice self-direction and mentoring. Our students set their own short-term and long-term academic and personal goals and our faculty members support students in monitoring their progress toward these goals every day.

• Our Approach to Behavior Support: We embrace Restorative Practices and Circles as a means of building community. This system relies on the belief that all people should have opportunities to develop positive habits and learn from their mistakes. We believe that the best way to accomplish this goal is for us to listen to students seek to understand their perspectives and support their journey toward empowerment.

• Our Mission & Commitment to Equity: The Accelerated Schools will graduate students who are prepared to succeed at the university and career of their choice who will enter the workplace as informed and productive employees. At The Accelerated Schools educational equity is continuously creating and implementing practices that are culturally responsive and honoring voices from all educational and community partners. Through curiosity inquiry self and system reflection we disrupt inequitable systems so that students graduate in four years college career and or life ready.

Job Summary

The Head Cook performs a variety of duties to support the food services program of The Accelerated Schools. This role leads meal preparation and service operations ensures compliance with health and safety guidelines maintains kitchen sanitation and supports all aspects of food service from purchasing through delivery.

What You Will Do

• Prepare cook and serve meals.
• Participate in food service operations from purchasing delivery storage and food preparation through meal service in accordance with established health and safety guidelines and procedures.
• Support meal service to students teachers and other staff; ensure compliance with meal preparation requirements.
• Ensure food preparation catering preparation and food setups adhere to standardized menu recipes and established preparation methods.

Food Safety Sanitation & Compliance

• Ensure proper sanitation and maintenance of food preparation areas kitchen equipment and food service supplies.
• Wash dry clean and properly store dishes pots pans utensils trays and other kitchen equipment.
• Maintain kitchen work and serving areas in a clean safe and sanitary condition in accordance with health and safety regulations.

Inventory Receiving & Recordkeeping

• Receive inspect verify and accept deliveries of food and supplies; store items using appropriate food storage procedures.
• Assist in maintaining reports and records including inventory requisitions menu planning and production worksheets.

Equipment Operation

• Operate and maintain a variety of commercial food service equipment and kitchen machinery used in food preparation and meal service.

Professional Development

• Attend required in-service trainings and professional development activities related to food service operations food safety and nutrition programs.

Other Duties

• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Our Ideal Teammate:

• You are deeply mission-driven and believe Accelerated can and will meet audacious goals. You connect vision to outcomes by prioritizing strategically and using data to guide decisions.
• You believe diversity drives innovation and actively foster inclusive environments. You reflect on how your decisions advance equity and inclusion and work in partnership with students families and community.
• You take ownership of your actions and impact. You reflect seek feedback adjust as needed and hold yourself accountable for results.
• You value relationships and build trust through integrity transparency and follow-through. You engage in honest two-way dialogue grounded in empathy and humility.
• You believe learning happens through dialogue not monologue. You listen actively elevate diverse voices and seek understanding even in moments of conflict.
• You are a strategic outcomes-oriented problem solver. You prioritize effectively anticipate challenges and adapt strategies to drive meaningful results.
• You believe in continuous growth for yourself and others. You celebrate wins own mistakes seek coaching and feedback and support teammates in developing their skills and impact.

Minimum and Preferred Qualifications:

• High School Diploma GED/or equivalent
• Food handling certificate
• Knowledge of core cafeteria and food service business and operations; customer service principles and procedures; routine record keeping techniques
• Communicate effectively in oral and written form; understand and carry out oral and written instructions
• Knowledge of required food safety laws and procedures
• Ability to read and understand recipes food labels safety information and work-related documents in English.
• Food service work experience in school nutrition or in the private food service setting

Preferred

• Experience with the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program
• Bilingual Spanish language fluency

• Work is performed primarily in a commercial kitchen and food service environment.
• Requires standing and walking for extended periods of time.
• Frequent bending stooping reaching twisting kneeling and repetitive hand and arm movements.
• Ability to lift carry push and pull up to 50 pounds with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Ability to push and maneuver loaded carts food containers and kitchen equipment.
• Manual dexterity sufficient to safely operate commercial kitchen equipment and utensils.
• Ability to work in environments with varying temperatures including exposure to heat from ovens and stoves and cold temperatures in refrigerators and freezers.
• Sufficient visual and auditory ability to safely prepare food operate equipment and communicate effectively with staff and students.

Compensation and Benefits:

• $23.22 / Hourly
• Medical Dental Life and Vision Coverage

Work Schedule:

• Monday - Friday Full-time
• 10 Month Classified Hourly work calendar 180 Work Days