Head Chef / Food Service Coordinator

Head Chef / Food Service Coordinator

About Momentum Academy

Momentum Academy is a PK-8 public charter school district in St. Louis City committed to fostering love, wellness, growth, and academic excellence. We build character, confidence, and community by supporting scholars, families, and staff to thrive together.

Thrive At Momentum

Momentum is committed to acting with integrity and joy. We provide robust benefits, professional development, wellness supports, and a culture rooted in love, integrity, collaboration, solutions-driven mindsets, and joy. Staff thrive through research-based coaching, highly rated instructional materials, restorative practices, dedicated wellness spaces, and significant employer-paid benefits.

Why Choose Momentum?

• Competitive salary schedule with transparent pay equity
• Merit Pay opportunities for high performance
• Over 5 weeks of breaks (Fall, Winter, Spring, Care Break)
• Paid Time Off and PTO rollover
• Employer-paid short/long-term disability
• Health, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance (including dependent insurance contributions)
• Retirement benefits through PSRS-STL (Momentum contributes ~14%)
• Research-based coaching & professional development
• Intellectual Preparation & Learning Communities
• Certification and continuing education assistance
• Staff wellness budget and dedicated wellness spaces
• Free staff breakfast and lunch
• Enrollment preference for staff children

Role Overview

The Lead Chef will lead the fresh preparation and serving of daily lunch and breakfast service for all scholars while ensuring the wellness plan is followed to fidelity. They will work closely with school leadership and their assistant chef to provide a positive, clean, and safe cafeteria environment.

Essential Responsibilities

• Meal Planning & Preparation: Plan and prepare daily breakfast and lunch menus for summer school scholars and staff, ensuring meals are nutritious, appropriately portioned, and aligned with any applicable child nutrition program requirements.

• Food Safety & Sanitation: Maintain full compliance with all health department regulations and food safety standards; keep kitchen, prep areas, and serving spaces clean and sanitary at all times.

• Dietary Accommodations: Identify and accommodate documented student dietary restrictions, allergies, and special meal needs in coordination with summer school leadership.

• Inventory & Ordering: Manage kitchen inventory, coordinate food and supply ordering, and ensure proper storage of all food items throughout the program term.

• Meal Count & Documentation: Track and accurately report daily meal counts and submit required documentation to the designated program administrator in a timely manner.

• Compliance & Professionalism: Abide by all rules, regulations, and standards outlined in the Momentum Academy handbook and maintain any required food handler certifications for the duration of the program.

• Collaboration: Communicate regularly with school leadership regarding meal schedules, supply needs, and any concerns; follow all directions from Momentum Academy Leadership, the Executive Director, and building leadership in a timely manner.

Other Responsibilities

• Log in temperature for lunch
• Complete and file production sheets on a daily basis
• Assist with regular inventory and orders, monitor food costs with budget
• Properly label and store all perishable and nonperishable food items
• Clean up kitchen floors and surfaces after lunch service
• Collection and disposal of garbage from lunch service area
• Wash all dishes from lunch service
• Sweep and mop cafeteria and kitchen daily
• Clean and sanitize all kitchen surfaces and tabletops
• Fill paper products as needed
• Help to maintain supply list for cleaning and communicate needs to School Operations Manager

Educational Requirements

• High School Diploma or GED

Qualifications

• Experience in food service is preferred
• Desire to support school staff to ensure a world class education for all students
• Able to lift at least 25lbs.
• Open to feedback and committed to continuously improving
• Hepatitis A Vaccine

Compensation

The hourly wage for this role for the annualized salary of $38,000 to 43,000 for thisposition. The salary increases based on years of experience, certification(s), and highest level of education.

Schedule & Work Environment

7:30-4 PM Include any lifting, movement, or unique workspace requirements.

An individual in this position must be able to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities listed above. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.