Lead Cook; Continuous

Lead Cook (Continuous)

KIPP Capital Region Public Schools – Albany and Troy, NY. KIPP Capital Region is a part of a national network of high‑performing public charter schools committed to creating joyful, academically excellent, and prepared students. The organization serves 2,500+ students and is dedicated to equity, inclusion, and anti‑racism.

The Lead Cook is responsible for preparing and cooking large batches of food that will be served to students. The role includes managing food preparation, ensuring food safety, maintaining clean environments, training other staff, and executing the day‑to‑day operations of the kitchen.

• Prepares all menu items for breakfast and lunch with staff based on prior production as needed.
• Uses standardized recipes to ensure proper preparation, nutritional values, and portion sizes.
• Takes hot and cold temperatures of all foods at each serving period and logs in production record.
• Manages food prep so that there is enough food and little waste.
• Responsible for breakfast and lunch tick sheets (if directed by a manager)
• Completes production records daily.
• Serves students on the line during service times, or remains in kitchen to cook, as manager directs.
• Always maintains a clean working environment.
• Follows Serv‑Safe procedures at all times.
• Prepares orders as requested by Food Service Director/ Food Service Manager
• Assists in stock rotation and putting orders away.
• Ensures that inventory sheets on freezer are filled out correctly and are updated daily.
• Responsible for maintaining organization, including proper storage, labeling, and dating in freezers, coolers, and dry storage.
• Assists with utility, including dishes, cleaning work areas, sweeping and mopping floors.
• Ensures that food for the next day’s menu is taken out of freezer as needed and ready to prepare.
• Assists Food Service Manager with training of other employees at school location as directed.
• Manages other employees so that everyone is clocked out at the end of the shift as soon as all work is completed, within scheduled hours.
• Any other duties as requested by the Food Service Director/ FS Manager.
• Must be available to work occasional catered school functions as needed.
• Responsible for the cooking, serving, and documenting meals and snacks for a K-8 school program.
• Oversees and directs workers assisting with the preparation and serving of meals.
• Arranges food and beverage items (e.g., placing in steam tables, a la carte trays, filling racks, mobile carts, etc.) to make items available to students and staff.
• Create and follow menus and handle all phases of kitchen operations, including inventory control.
• Ensures smooth operations and functioning of the kitchen in adherence to health and food safety codes.
• Cleans utensils, equipment, storage, food preparation, and serving areas to maintain sanitary conditions.
• Maintains strict cleanliness of the kitchen, food service, and storage areas.
• Collects payments for food items from students and staff to complete transactions and secure funds for reimbursement of costs.
• Inspects food items, work areas, etc. (e.g., personal hygiene, proper food temperatures, etc.) to prevent cross‑contamination of food‑borne illnesses.
• Loads carts, food warmers, trays, etc., to ensure that food and beverage items are available for transporting to other sites (by assignment).
• Serves one or more food items to meet mandated nutritional requirements and requests and students and school personnel.
• Uses proper body mechanics and cleaning procedures to prevent accidental injuries to self and others.

• Perform other duties as outlined by School Leadership.
• Committed to furthering anti‑racism, equity, and racial justice in all our efforts, and expect all our stakeholders to participate in this work so that we can create a future without limits for our students together.
• Complies with all charter, federal, state, and local laws and regulations, including the NYS Department of Education, Department of Health, and NYS Office of Children and Family Services.
• Adheres to organization policies and procedures; promotes and supports mission, vision, and values, including…