About

SR1 CPSA

& Our Mission SR1 College Preparatory & STEM Academy (SR1 CPSA) is the state's first and only public STEM-focused charter school for K-5 students. Founded in 2023 in Canton, MS, SR1 CPSA provides a rigorous, student-centered education to empower the next generation of change-makers. Our holistic approach extends beyond the classroom - we integrate health, nutrition, and agriculture into school life. (Our Agriculture Department recently grew 300+ organic watermelons on our campus farm, which our culinary team crafted into sweet, nutritious snacks for our scholars!) By growing and cooking our own food for students, we believe we are "planting seeds of health, knowledge, and empowerment," giving our children the tools to thrive academically and physically. The Opportunity

SR1 CPSA

is seeking an enthusiastic Culinary Assistant to support our Culinary & Food Services Specialist in running a farm-to-school dining program built on scratch-made, healthy Southern cuisine. This is an entry-level, hands-on role for someone who loves food and wants to learn the craft of school and community foodservice from the ground up - no prior professional kitchen experience required. Working alongside the Culinary Specialist, you'll help prep and serve breakfast and lunch for our K-5 scholars, keep the kitchen clean and organized, and pitch in on community events, cooking demonstrations, and programming. It's a great first step into a culinary career, with mentorship built in and room to grow as our program expands.

Key Responsibilities Meal Prep Support:

Assist the Culinary Specialist with daily prep, cooking, and plating of scratch-made breakfast and lunch for K-5 students, following recipes and portioning guidelines.

Kitchen Cleanliness & Food Safety:

Wash dishes and equipment, sanitize prep and serving areas, and follow food safety and hygiene procedures at all times, including proper storage and labeling of ingredients.

Inventory & Ordering Support:

Help receive, log, and stock deliveries; rotate stock (FIFO); and flag low supplies or ingredients nearing expiration to the Culinary Specialist.

Serving Line Support:

Set up and break down the serving line, portion meals accurately, and interact warmly with students during breakfast and lunch service.

Nutrition Education & Demos:

Support the Culinary Specialist in cooking demonstrations and classroom nutrition activities for students; help prep ingredients and set up demo stations.

Event & Program Support:

Assist with food setup and service for school events, family nights, farm days and harvest events.

Learning & Growth:

Shadow the Culinary Specialist to build skills in menu planning, farm-to-table sourcing, and kitchen management, with the goal of taking on greater responsibility over time. Qualifications & Attributes Enthusiasm for

Food:

A genuine interest in cooking and in Southern, farm-to-table cuisine. No formal culinary training required - home cooking experience, a food-related hobby, or coursework all count. Eagerness to

Learn:

Comfortable taking direction from the Culinary Specialist, following recipes and instructions closely, and picking up new kitchen skills quickly.

Reliability:

Able to consistently arrive on time for early-morning breakfast prep and maintain a dependable daily schedule.

Food Safety Awareness:

Willingness to learn and follow food safety and sanitation practices; ServSafe certification is not required to start but may be pursued with SR1's support. Comfort Working with

Children:

A friendly, patient demeanor when interacting with K-5 students during meal service and activities.

Physical Readiness:

Ability to stand for extended periods, lift up to 25-40 lbs, and work efficiently in a fast-paced kitchen.

Team Player:

Good communication skills and a willingness to pitch in wherever needed, from dishes to demos to deliveries.

Background Check:

Must pass required background checks to work in a K-5 school environment.

Growth Opportunities Direct Mentorship:

Work side-by-side with the Culinary Specialist and build real skills in menu planning, from-scratch cooking, and kitchen operations.

Career Pathway:

As you grow, take on more responsibility in the kitchen, with the opportunity to advance toward a Culinary Specialist or leadership role as SR1's culinary program expands.

Community Impact:

Help bring healthy, scratch-made food to students and families, and take part in SR1's broader mission around nutrition, agriculture, and STEM education.

Collaborative Culture:

Join a mission-driven team of educators, scientists, and community advocates where new ideas are welcomed and initiative is recognized.

Pay:

$12.00 - $15.00 per hour

Work Location:

In person