Chef

Department: School Operations

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Eagan, Minnesota

Reporting To: Kelly Wallace

Compensation: $17.55 - $20.65 / hour

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.

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• Must meet all applicable state early childhood licensing requirements
• Valid Food Handler Certification or equivalent (e.g., Serv Safe), 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…