Chef

Chef

Department: School Operations

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Eagan, Minnesota

Reporting To: Kelly Wallace

Compensation: $17.55 - $20.65 / hour

Description

Purpose of the Role

The Chef at N Family School is responsible for preparing and delivering high-quality, nutritious food for children and the school team each day. This role plays a vital part in supporting children's health, well-being, and enjoyment of food by providing fresh breakfasts, lunches, and snacks, as well as daily meals and smoothies for the school team.

A creative and thoughtful cook, the Chef brings a strong understanding of childhood nutrition, food safety, and dietary needs. By introducing children to a wide range of flavors and culturally diverse foods, this role supports N Family's commitment to excellence, care, and joyful daily experiences.

To be successful in this role, you will Go Beyond, Be Outstandingly Outstanding, and Play as a Team.

Key Responsibilities and Tasks

Food Preparation & Nutrition

• Prepare fresh, nutritious breakfasts, lunches, and snacks for children each day
• Prepare daily lunch and smoothies for the school team, accommodating a variety of dietary needs
• Follow N Family's nutritionist-designed menus and recipes to ensure balanced, age-appropriate meals
• Adapt food preparation to meet the needs of different age groups, following choking prevention and food texture guidelines
• Introduce children to a wide variety of foods in a positive, engaging way

Allergy Management & Food Safety

• Maintain detailed knowledge of all children's allergies and dietary requirements
• Strictly follow allergy protocols and cross-contamination prevention procedures at all times
• Maintain accurate food safety documentation, including daily logs and cleaning schedules
• Ensure full compliance with local health department regulations and state licensing requirements

Kitchen Operations

• Manage food ordering, stock rotation, and inventory through approved vendors
• Wash dishes, maintain kitchen equipment, and keep all kitchen areas clean and organized
• Maintain the kitchen to the highest sanitation and hygiene standards
• Support efficient use of resources, including minimizing food waste and supporting sustainable practices

Family & Team Collaboration

• Build positive, professional relationships with children, families, and school team members
• Communicate clearly with leadership regarding menu needs, allergies, and supply requirements
• Be a visible role model for high standards, professionalism, and teamwork

Professional Expectations

• Work a consistent schedule aligned with school operations, typically within school hours between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., with daily kitchen service generally occurring earlier in the day
• Always follow Health & Safety policies, safeguarding procedures, and licensing requirements
• Lead with care, consistency, and attention to detail
• Perform other duties as assigned to support the smooth operation of the school

Experience

• Previous experience working in a commercial kitchen or early childhood education setting
• Experience preparing meals for young children with an understanding of age-appropriate food preparation
• Demonstrated experience managing food allergies and special dietary requirements
• Experience working with health department inspections and food safety standards
• Strong knowledge of child nutrition and portioning

Qualifications

• Must meet all applicable state early childhood licensing requirements
• Valid Food Handler Certification or equivalent (e.g., ServSafe), as required by local health authorities
• Willingness to complete Food Manager Certification if required by state or local regulations
• Successful completion of all required background checks and clearances, including fingerprinting and child abuse registry checks, as required by licensing
• Must meet all state health screening and immunization requirements, including tuberculosis screening, as required by licensing authorities

Personal Attributes

• Passionate and creative cook who enjoys working with children and families
• Highly organized, dependable, and detail-oriented
• Calm and effective during busy service periods
• Positive, solution-focused mindset
• Service-oriented with a genuine desire to support the school community
• Aligned with N Family values and standards

Supervisory Responsibilities

This role does not have direct supervisory responsibilities.

Physical Demands & Work Environment

This role involves regular standing, walking, bending, lifting (up to 50 lbs.), and repetitive kitchen tasks throughout the day. The Chef works primarily in a commercial kitchen within a licensed early childhood setting and may be exposed to heat, steam, kitchen equipment, cleaning agents, food allergens, and varying noise levels.

Required personal protective practices include wearing non-slip footwear, appropriate food safety attire, and frequent handwashing.

The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by an individual to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions, in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and applicable federal, state, and local laws.

Our Commitment

This job description outlines the general nature of the role and does not constitute an exhaustive list of responsibilities. It does not alter the at-will nature of employment. As N Family School grows, responsibilities may evolve, and team members may be asked to support beyond their usual scope in the spirit of teamwork and shared success. All team members share responsibility for safeguarding and child protection.

What's Next?

If you think you got what it takes, click apply and fill in our super quick (1 min) application form!

If you want to read more about N, our benefits and work culture, visit our Careers website or our Glassdoor Page.