Head Cook

## Description

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 1,700 TK–12 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

### Food Preparation & Meal Service

• 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.

## Qualifications

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

Required

• 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

### Physical Requirements

• Work is performed primarily in a commercial kitchen and food service environment.
• Requires standing and walking for extended periods of time.