Assistant Chef

One City Schools | Madison, Wisconsin | Full-Time

About The Role

The Assistant Chef supports the Executive Chef with daily meal preparation, food safety, and kitchen operations for our K–8 school community. Working with two additional Nutrition Team members, this role helps ensure consistent, high-quality meals, accurate USDA documentation, and smooth, joyful service for more than 500 Scholars and staff each day. This role supports our commitment to healthy bodies, strong routines, and a welcoming school environment.

Responsibilities

• Culinary Operations
  • Prepare and serve breakfast, lunch, and snack for ~500 Scholars and staff
  • Maintain high standards for food quality, safety, and presentation
  • Follow standardized recipes and portion guidelines with consistency
  • Keep kitchen spaces clean, organized, and compliant with sanitation standards
  • Support a positive, collaborative workflow with the Executive Chef and Café Attendants
• Compliance & Recordkeeping
  • Complete USDA-required meal counts and point-of-service documentation
  • Maintain accurate temperature logs, sanitation records, and daily compliance tracking
• Procurement & Inventory
  • Receive and properly store food deliveries
  • Monitor inventory, track usage, and communicate supply needs
  • Support procurement and cost-effective food operations

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in a high-volume or commercial kitchen
• Strong knowledge of food safety and sanitation (ServSafe preferred)
• Ability to follow recipes and meet production timelines
• Experience in a school nutrition or USDA-compliant program
• Strong communication and organization skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with procurement or inventory processes
• Comfort working in a fast-paced, diverse community environment

Not sure you meet every qualification? If this role sparks something in you, apply, even if you don’t meet 100% of the qualifications.

Skills

You might be a great fit if you:

• Live our CRISP Habits of Character: Compassion, Risk, Integrity, Self-Respect, Persistence
• Take pride in nourishing a community and understand that healthy meals help scholars thrive
• Work well in a fast-paced kitchen, where timing, consistency, and teamwork matter
• Value predictable routines that help children feel safe, seen, and cared for
• Are ready to learn and model The One City Way, contributing to consistency, collaboration, and joy
• Bring reliability, positivity, and resilience to every service

Benefits

Comprehensive Package

• Competitive salary based on education and experience
• 18 PTO days plus holidays, winter break, and spring break
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• 401(k) with 5.9% employer matching
• Life insurance and long-term disability
• Employee Assistance Program

Unique One City Benefits

• On-campus infant and early learning care with discounted tuition
• Homeownership support through the Own-It Program ($19,000 down payment grants)
• Admission priority for age-eligible children of employees

Pay

Salary Range: $45,000 to $55,000 depending on qualifications and experience