Assistant School Cook

About Us:

At Yay, lunch is our favorite subject. Yay is out to fundamentally change K-12 school food for the better. We believe that every student should have the opportunity to enjoy a freshly made, wholesome meal they'll love while at school, and that parents should trust that their child feels cared for and nourished.

Founded by parents for parents in 2018, we have expanded and evolved, now serving multiple markets from Chicago to Connecticut and down the East Coast. We have exciting plans and we can't wait to bring our mission to more schools.

We'd love to have you on the team! As a startup, we hustle with heart. We're team players and self-starters. We want you to love what you do, and we give you the tools to succeed with our commitment to flexibility, transparency, respect, empowerment, and positivity. Come join us!

Position Overview:

We're looking for an enthusiastic and reliable Assistant School Cook at one of our partner schools in Chicago to support the daily preparation and service of our meals. This role is perfect for someone who enjoys working in the kitchen, takes pride in a clean and organized workspace, and wants to be part of a mission-driven food team. You'll assist the School Cook in a variety of tasks to ensure our meals are made and served efficiently, safely, and to our high standards. This will be a part-time role (approximately 20 hours per week).

Responsibilities:

• Assist with meal prep, cooking, and plating under the direction of the School Cook and Manager (Hot + Cold)
• Wash, chop, and prepare ingredients following recipes and portion guidelines
• Maintain cleanliness and organization of kitchen tools, equipment, and workspace
• Support food service during mealtimes, ensuring speed and quality
• Follow all food safety and sanitation procedures diligently
• Help with receiving and storing deliveries as needed
• Provide general kitchen support wherever needed to keep service running smoothly

Qualifications:

• Experience in food prep, line cook, kitchen work, or a related environment preferred
• Basic understanding of kitchen safety and food handling practices
• Willingness to learn, take direction, and work as part of a team
• A positive attitude and a genuine interest in supporting healthy food for kids
• ServSafe Food Handler Certification (or willingness to obtain within first 14 days of employment)
• Ability to clear a pre-employment background check and earn additional certifications if required by the school
• A smartphone for job-related communication

What We Offer:

• A supportive and collaborative team environment
• Competitive hourly pay at $18/hour
• A chance to grow culinary skills in a meaningful environment
• Predictable part-time hours, ideal for work-life balance