Lead Cook

Job Description

Job Description

Originally   founded in 1991  as Harlem RBI, DREAM has grown to annually serve more than 2,500 youth across East Harlem and the South Bronx through a network of seven PreK-12, extended-day, extended-year DREAM Charter Schools and community sports-based youth development programs. Through our commitment to rigorous academics, social-emotional learning, deep family and community engagement, and health and wellness, we create lifelong learners who are equipped to fulfill their vision of success in and out of the classroom. We dream big, as well, with an aggressive five-year plan to expand to serve 3,500 students across seven schools —growing our organization’s impact and leveling the playing field for all children. To learn more, visit wearedream.org .

DREAM has partnered with Brigaid to build our own in-house food service program, which will launch in Fall 2023 at our state-of-the-art school in the South Bronx and eventually expand to two additional DREAM locations in East Harlem and the Bronx. At scale, this program will serve breakfast, lunch, and likely dinner to 1,300 students almost 365 days of the year, along with providing curated food programs for DREAM alumni, families, and community members. The South Bronx campus will be the central hub for DREAM’s food and wellness programs as well as the main culinary event space for high-profile external events. 

Reporting to the Director of Special Projects, the Lead Cook will work closely with the Brigaid Program Chef and kitchen team to execute DREAM’s vision of a best-in-class food and nutrition program. The Lead Cook will assist with leading the kitchen team in daily production and service of meals to DREAM students and staff, and training the kitchen team on basic cooking techniques, recipes, measurements, food safety, and organization. This is an exciting opportunity for a culinary professional committed to supporting the community’s engagement with food to help execute a one of a kind food program in service of DREAM’s students and families.

Expected weekly hours will be 40-50 hours per week. Expected daily hours will be between 7AM - 3:30PM, but daily hours are subject to change.

• Overseeing DREAM’s National School Lunch Program (NSLP)-compliant food service program
• Implementing operating standards, protocols, and SOPs that promote the highest level of food quality, food safety and consistency
• Daily production and service of meals for DREAM students and staff
• Ensuring food safety, cleanliness and organization standards are maintained to the highest level at all times
• Placing orders for food and supplies and ensuring all deliveries are promptly received and stored
• Executing monthly physical inventory of food and supplies
• Creating menus and developing NSLP-compliant recipes that students enjoy
• Managing part-time cooks to ensure that all standards are met in regards to food quality, food safety, meal compliance, meal presentation, personnel safety and well being, and facility and equipment upkeep
• Maintaining required records, including those related to food production, purchasing, and inventory, as well as all HACCP documentation, including food safety and temperature logs
• Monitoring feedback and preferences from students and responding proactively through menu/recipe adjustments
• Executing food production for special events, such as fundraisers and community meals
• Additional tasks as necessary, including dishwashing, cleaning, and organizing kitchen and storage areas
• Interfacing with DREAM students, employees, and leadership from a wide variety of  backgrounds, establishing and maintaining strong relationships with families, students, and school staff and leaders
• Adhering to all United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Department of Health (DOH) guidelines and regulations

• At least 3 years of professional cooking experience (with at least one year of kitchen supervisory experience preferred)
• Valid NYC DOH Food Protection Certificate, or the ability to take the self-paced course and pass the exam prior to starting
• Strong understanding of good food safety practices
• Strong cooking ability, with understanding of all basic cooking techniques and the ability to follow recipes and use basic math to determine preparation quantities
• Strong management skills, with the ability to direct food service teams as well as work well under pressure
• Possesses strong critical thinking and planning skills, with the ability to collaborate on setting and implementing a vision of excellence 
• Familiar with USDA NSLP and Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) standards and regulations, or the ability to learn and adhere to these standards
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate effectively with various audiences, including colleagues, students and families
• Basic computer literacy, including Microsoft and Google programs and Zoom
• Flexibility in accommodating emergencies or changes in schedule
• The desire and ability to receive and implement feedback
• A commitment to working with diverse populations of families and students
• A strong belief in the mission and values of DREAM, including the belief that all students can succeed, and a deep desire to make a difference in the lives of DREAM students, families, and the community

We offer comprehensive benefits including:

• Flexible Medical Health Plans, subsidizing the majority of costs for the employee, their spouse/domestic partner and children;
• The ability to select between a variety of medical plans according to what best suits the employee’s needs;
• Dental and vision plans;
• Disability benefits;
• Life insurance;
• Up to 12 weeks fully paid of Parental Leave;
• Flexible spending account options;
• Pre-tax commuter benefits (parking and transit);
• Fitness and entertainment discounts;
• A variety of support through our employee assistance program (EAP);
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer match starting at 4% after one year, with increases tied to DREAM tenure;
• Referral, performance, and tenure milestone bonuses;
• Discounted school meals through our in-house Scratch Food Program;
• Tuition reimbursement support;
• Access to a professional development fund;
• School-based 12-month employees have approximately 48 days off throughout the school year including holidays, school breaks, personal days, and wellness days.
• Benefits are subject to change.

• DREAM offers a competitive salary commensurate with relevant experience. The incoming annual salary range for this position is $45,000  to $47,000. New hires are typically brought into the organization at a salary closer to the start of the range depending on qualifications, internal equity, and the budgeted amount for the role. All regular employees receive annual compensation increases and have the opportunity to earn both performance- and tenure-based bonuses. Because we value tenure in each role, our salary ranges are not capped.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

At DREAM, diversity, equity, and inclusion are a matter of mission. 

From our schools to our playing fields, DREAM is committed to building a team where each individual can bring their full identity and experience to work because representation matters—it enriches our team culture, enhances our ability to innovate, and strengthens our impact in and out of the classroom. DREAM engages staff that represent and appreciate the diversity of our majority Black and Hispanic student body, while working to ensure that our practices are equitable, welcoming, and productive. We are dedicated to creating a world where youth, especially youth of color, have permission to dream—along with the tools and opportunities to make their dreams reality.

Come dream with us .

DREAM Maxims  

All Kids Can. This Kid Can.

DREAM is Family.

Fun is a Serious Value.

Teamwork Makes the DREAM Work.

Fail. Persist. Exceed.

DREAM Big.

Applying to DREAM

We know applying for a new job can be a daunting process. In addition, studies have shown that historically underrepresented individuals often only apply to roles if they meet 100% of the qualifications. We encourage all applications! You may be just the person we need. If you have any questions about your application or interview process, do not hesitate to ask your recruiter; we are here to help!

DREAM provides reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and applicable state and local laws. If accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact your recruiter.

If you are a current DREAM employee, please click here to review our Internal Selection Process before applying.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.