Kitchen & Service Assistant - Princeton

Kitchen & Service AssistantThe Kitchen & Service Assistant keeps the kitchen running and the café stocked. They support the Lead Cook with prep and production, handle labeling and staging for distribution, and are the face of Yay during lunch service and grab-and-go. Depending on the market and school, this role may also include packing food for delivery to spoke schools and running that delivery. This is a hands-on, fast-paced role where anticipation, accuracy, and presence with students are the standard.Your Kitchen Manager, with day-to-day direction coming from the Lead Cook during production.Core ResponsibilitiesKitchen Prep SupportHandle mise en place for the Lead Cook — washing, chopping, weighing, and portioning ingredients in the order they are neededKeep the Lead Cook's station clear between production runs so they always have a clean surface to work onAnticipate what is needed next and have it ready — the Lead Cook should never have to stop production for something you should have already doneLabeling & Staging for DistributionLabel every item leaving the kitchen — item name, date, quantity, and use-by date — the moment it is filled or packed, no exceptionsStage items by school, service time, or route as directed by the Kitchen ManagerRecord quantities staged on the production sheet and notify the Kitchen Manager when staging is complete so distribution or pickup can beginSpoke School Packing & DeliveryPack food for delivery to spoke schools per the Kitchen Manager's production and route schedule — correct quantities, correctly labeled, staged in the right order for the routeLoad and transport food to spoke school locations safely and on time, maintaining temperature standards throughoutConfirm delivery with the receiving Lead Cook or school contact and flag any discrepancies immediately to the Kitchen ManagerReliable transportation and a valid driver's license required for roles that include deliveryLunch DistributionAssemble trays, organize pre-order pickup by classroom or grade, and ensure every student receives the correct order — whether at the hub kitchen or at a spoke school locationFlag any discrepancies to the Lead Cook or Kitchen Manager immediatelyGrab & Go CaféStock and maintain the grab-and-go fridge and pantry shelves before and during service per the planogramConfirm items are in the correct location, prices are visible, and shelves are faced and fullRun checkout accurately and warmlyMonitor stock levels throughout service and flag anything running low before it runs outCleaning & Kitchen SupportClean as you go — clear the Lead Cook's station, wipe down surfaces, and wash and sanitize equipment between tasksParticipate fully in end-of-shift kitchen breakdown — this is a team effortClock out on BambooHR on location at your actual end timeDay at a GlanceOpening — Set up your prep station, pull ingredients as directed by the Lead Cook, and begin mise en place before production starts.Production — Execute prep tasks in the order the Lead Cook needs them. Label everything as it is packed or staged. If your role includes delivery, pack and load spoke school orders before your route window.Service — Distribute pre-order lunches on site and/or at spoke schools, run grab-and-go checkout, and restock shelves. Be present, be warm, be fast.Closing — Clean your area, rotate remaining stock, wipe down the grab-and-go fridge and shelves, and assist with full kitchen breakdown.What Success Looks LikeThe Lead Cook never has to stop production to do something you should have already handledEvery item leaving the kitchen is labeled correctly, every timeSpoke school deliveries go out on time, at temperature, and with zero packing errorsStudents receive the right order, on time, with a warm interactionThe grab-and-go café is stocked, faced, and running smoothly throughout serviceYour section of the kitchen is clean and organized from open to closeWhat We're Looking ForExperience in a kitchen, café, or food service environment — you know how to move with urgency and purposeStrong attention to detail — labeling, staging, and portioning accuracy are non-negotiableA people-first mindset — you enjoy interacting with students and take pride in making service feel welcomingReliable and self-directed — you don't wait to be told what needs doing; you see it and handle itA team player who takes ownership of their station and shows up for the people around themComfortable on the road if delivery is part of your role — reliable transportation and a valid driver's license requiredFood handler's certification or willingness to obtain within 30 days of hireWhat We OfferCompetitive hourly payA high-growth, mission-driven company where your work directly impacts what kids eat every dayA team that values accountability, transparency, and operators who take pride in their craftReal opportunity to grow within TYC as we expand into new marketsThe Yay Company · 2026