Culinary Director

Culinary & Food Services Specialist (Chef + Educator)

SR1 College Preparatory & STEM Academy (SR1 CPSA) | Canton, Mississippi Part-time or Full-time | $45,000–$85,000/year (commensurate with experience)

Cook with purpose. Teach with heart. Build something that lasts.

We are looking for a chef who sees a school kitchen as more than a kitchen — as a classroom, a garden's final destination, and one of the most powerful tools we have to change how a community eats, learns, and lives.

If you light up at the idea of pulling vegetables a student grew that morning, turning them into a from-scratch Southern meal by lunch, and then teaching that same student how to do it at home — this role was built for you.

About SR1

SR1 leads a connected ecosystem of education, health, and technology initiatives rooted in Central Mississippi. Among them is SR1 College Preparatory & STEM Academy (SR1 CPSA) — Mississippi's first and only college preparatory and STEM public charter school that is top performing and growing. Our culinary and agriculture programs work hand in hand to nourish children and families through fresh, seasonal meals, hands-on food education, and a "food as preventive medicine" approach grounded in culturally and contextually relevant practice.

We serve all people, and we believe good food is a form of opportunity.

The Role

As our Culinary & Food Services Specialist, you'll lead daily meal preparation and nutritional programming for our students — and extend that work into the wider community. You'll craft from-scratch meals built on fresh, local ingredients, including produce grown by our own students. Beyond the kitchen, you'll host cooking demonstrations, partner with our agriculture team, and help design menus and experiences that teach children and families how to eat well for life.

This is a rare chance for an early-career chef, recent culinary graduate, or ambitious intern to cook, teach, and lead in an environment that genuinely values innovation and community wellness.

What You will Do

• Plan and prepare nutritious, scratch-made meals for our students, emphasizing Southern cuisine and seasonal, farm-to-school ingredients
• Collaborate with our agriculture team to bring school-grown produce onto the plate
• Lead cooking demonstrations, nutrition workshops, and after-school events for students, families, and staff
• Develop rotating menus that align with USDA nutrition guidelines and reflect student preferences
• Uphold the highest standards of food safety and cleanliness; obtain or maintain ServSafe certification
• Champion our "food as medicine" and nutrition-education initiatives alongside staff
• Mentor student interns and volunteers exploring culinary or agricultural careers
• Support special-event catering, school celebrations, and summer programs
• Help shape the long-term vision for SR1's future agriculture and food facility

What We are Looking For

• A real passion for cooking, learning, and creating culturally relevant meals
• Willingness to obtain ServSafe certification (required)
• Interest in community food access, child nutrition, or public health
• Strong communication and collaboration skills
• Creativity, flexibility, and the enthusiasm to try new things
• Culinary degree or current enrollment preferred, but not required
• Experience working with children or in educational settings is a plus

What matters most isn't a perfect résumé — it's vision, heart, and the drive to build something meaningful from the ground up.

Why SR1

At SR1, we promote culturally and contextually grounded approaches to tackle nutrition insecurity, prevent diet-related disease, and empower future generations through food. You'll have room to grow, with future opportunities for profit-sharing, entrepreneurship, and leadership in a fast-growing farm-to-school and wellness ecosystem.

How to Apply

Send your résumé and a brief cover letter to View email address on click.appcast.io . Culinary portfolios, sample menus, or project photos are welcome but optional.

Learn more: SR1CPSA.org | SR1Tech.org | SR1Ag.org

SR1 is an equal opportunity employer.