About SR1 & Our Mission
SR1 is a Mississippi-based nonprofit committed to improving lives through health, education, and technology. Through innovative programs and passionate partnerships, SR1 works to break barriers and expand opportunities for underserved communities. Our Agriculture and Food Science Department exemplifies this mission by championing farm-to-table access and nutrition equity to eliminate health disparities. We believe every community should have access to food that is nutrient-dense, sustainable, high-quality, and culturally significant – principles that guide our culinary program.
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. (In fact, our Agriculture Department recently grew 300+ organic watermelons on our campus farm for students, 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” and giving our children the tools to thrive academically and physically. This deep commitment to “food as medicine” and hands-on nutrition education is at the heart of SR1’s mission.
The Opportunity
SR1 CPSA is seeking an inspired Culinary & Food Services Specialist to lead our farm-to-school dining program and shape a model of healthy, scratch-made Southern cuisine for children and the community. This is not your typical school cafeteria job – it’s an engaging, entrepreneurial role for a chef (or rising chef) who dreams of making a difference through food. You will have the creative freedom to develop menus that celebrate Southern culinary traditions with a healthy twist, introduce students to new flavors, and source ingredients from local farms and our own gardens. Every day, you’ll be cooking from scratch to serve delicious, balanced meals that nourish young minds and bodies, fueling our students’ learning and wellbeing.
Beyond the lunch line, this role offers a chance to innovate and impact the broader community. During school hours, you’ll run a culinary program for K–5 scholars, and in non-school hours you’ll collaborate with SR1’s wider initiatives – SR1Tech and SR1Ag – to bring healthy cooking into community events, workshops, and after-school programs. Imagine spending your mornings preparing wholesome breakfasts and lunches for our Vanguard scholars, and afternoons or weekends doing cooking demonstrations for families, catering school functions and STEM camps, or helping our Agriculture team plan the next harvest festival. If you are early in your culinary career (or a recent Culinary Institute of America grad/student) with big ideas, this position will let you shine. Experience is less important than creativity, willingness to learn, and passion – we’ll support you as you grow your skills and develop innovative culinary projects with us. This is an inclusive, visionary environment where your ideas for nutrition education, “food is medicine” programming, and community-based culinary outreach can become reality. Together, we will reimagine what school food can be and inspire a healthier future for Mississippi’s children.
Key Responsibilities
· Farm-to-School Menu Development: Plan and design seasonal menus for K–5 school breakfast and lunch that balance taste, nutrition, and student favorites[9]. Emphasize fresh, locally sourced ingredients (including produce from our own farm) and classic Southern recipes prepared in healthier ways. Introduce new fruits, veggies, and whole grains to cultivate adventurous, healthy eating habits in children.
· From-Scratch Cooking & Meal Preparation: Lead daily preparation of breakfast and lunch, cooking homestyle meals from scratch. Ensure every dish is delicious, kid-friendly, and nutrient-rich, aligning with our philosophy that school meals should fuel both body and mind. Maintain high culinary standards for flavor, presentation, and quality in a fast-paced school kitchen.
· Food Safety & Kitchen Management: Oversee kitchen operations with utmost attention to food safety, hygiene, and compliance. Follow SERVSafe protocols and highest food safety standards so that each meal is prepared in a clean, well-managed kitchen and served safely to students[10]. Manage inventory, ordering, and storage of ingredients (with an eye towards local sourcing and seasonal availability).
· Nutrition Education & Cooking Demonstrations: Work with teachers and the SR1 Ag team to integrate nutrition education into the student experience. Conduct fun, interactive cooking demonstrations for students (e.g. how to make a healthy snack, or the journey of a sweet potato from farm to plate) to deepen their understanding of food. Participate in community wellness workshops and “food as medicine” programs, teaching families how to cook healthy, affordable meals at home.
· Event Catering & SR1 Program Support: Serve as the go-to culinary expert for SR1 events and programs. Cater school events (like family nights, career days, graduation celebrations) with appropriate menus. Coordinate with SR1Tech (our STEM and enrichment programs) to provide snacks or meals during tech camps, robotics competitions, or after-school tutoring sessions. Partner with SR1Ag on farm days, harvest events, and farmers’ markets – e.g. showcasing recipes using produce grown by our students. Your role bridges the school and the community, using food to bring people together.
· Collaboration & Innovation: Collaborate closely with our Agriculture Department (SR1Ag) to plan farm-to-school activities – from sourcing new garden crops for the cafeteria to involving students in planting or cooking what they harvest. Brainstorm and lead new culinary initiatives that align with SR1’s mission (such as starting a small school garden café, developing a healthy cookbook with students, or launching a “Junior Chefs” after-school club). You’ll have the support to pilot ideas that can improve student health and engagement.
· Student Mentorship and Engagement: Engage with students in a positive, encouraging way during meal times and activities. Mentor any student interns or volunteers interested in culinary arts or nutrition, helping to spark their passion for cooking. Foster a cafeteria environment that is welcoming, inclusive, and celebratory of food’s role in culture and wellbeing.
Qualifications & Attributes
· Passion for Cooking & Creativity: A love for Southern cuisine and heritage recipes, with the creativity to make them healthier while preserving flavor. Genuine enthusiasm for cooking from scratch using fresh ingredients. You view food as an expression of love, culture, and community – and you’re excited to share that with kids.
· Culinary Training or Equivalent Experience: Formal culinary education or degree preferred but not required. (CIA students/recent graduates or those from similar programs are encouraged to apply.) Whether you learned in culinary school or in your grandma’s kitchen, what matters is your skill and eagerness to learn.
· Early-Career Chefs Welcome: This role is ideal for an early-career chef or culinary intern ready to take on responsibility and grow. We do not require extensive professional experience – if you bring creativity, work ethic, and passion, we will help you succeed. A portfolio of projects (school assignments, personal cooking projects, etc.) or references that demonstrate your cooking ability and imagination is a plus.
· Commitment to Healthy, Holistic Cooking: Alignment with our philosophy of “food as medicine” and nutrition-focused cuisine. Knowledge of nutrition, special diets, or school meal pattern requirements is helpful, but a willingness to learn and incorporate healthy practices is just as important. You should be excited about creating meals that are both kid-approved and health-conscious, and about teaching others why it matters.
· ServSafe Certification (Food Safety): ServSafe Food Manager certification (or equivalent) is required or willingness to obtain it promptly upon hire. You must understand (or be ready to learn) proper food handling, sanitation, and safety in a commercial or institutional kitchen setting. Food safety is a top priority in our program.
· Team Player & Communicator: Excellent collaboration and communication skills. You’ll be working with a small team (including our current Chef and support staff), as well as teachers, administrators, and community partners. You should be able to lead in the kitchen while also embracing input from students and colleagues (for example, incorporating teacher feedback or student suggestions into menus). Comfort with doing presentations or demos is important – you should enjoy interacting with children and community members.
· Adaptability & Initiative: Ability to adapt recipes and plans creatively based on available ingredients (seasonal or local sourcing) and to accommodate various dietary needs (allergies, etc.). Strong problem-solving skills in a dynamic environment – whether it’s adjusting a recipe on the fly or managing multiple tasks for an event. Self-motivated and eager to launch new ideas, from planning a special themed lunch to organizing a tasting event for parents.
· Reliability & Professionalism: Excellent organizational skills to manage ordering, menu schedules, and kitchen logistics. Able to consistently show up on time (early mornings for breakfast prep) and dependably serve our students every day. Must pass any required background checks to work in a K–5 school environment. A valid driver’s license would be helpful for farmers’ market runs or picking up local produce (not required, but nice to have).
Growth Opportunities
Joining SR1 CPSA as a Culinary Specialist means becoming part of a bold vision for the future of school food. We offer unique opportunities for growth and leadership:
· Entrepreneurial Development: As our culinary program expands, you’ll have the chance to spearhead new initiatives and even develop revenue-generating projects (for example, a student-run cafe, a catering service for community events, or a line of school-made products). SR1 is committed to supporting social entrepreneurship – successful new ventures you help create may come with profit-sharing or leadership roles as they grow. In short, you can build something of your own under our umbrella, with mentorship from experienced leaders and a supportive community.
· Mentorship & Leadership: You won’t just be a cook; you’ll be a mentor and role model. As you gain experience, you could mentor junior staff, culinary interns, or volunteers, and even help guide students interested in culinary careers. We also provide mentorship for you – linking you with seasoned professionals (within our network of chefs, dietitians, and educators) who can help you develop professionally. We want you to grow your skills and your career with us.
· Impact & Recognition: Because this is a pioneering role, your successes will be noticed. You’ll have a direct impact on children’s lives and community health, which is incredibly rewarding. There will be opportunities to showcase your work – whether it’s presenting at a local food education conference, representing SR1 at farm-to-school network events, or getting profiled in our news for innovative cafeteria programming. We celebrate initiative and impact.
· Collaborative Culture: At SR1, you’ll be surrounded by educators, scientists, and community activists who are all passionate about making a difference. This cross-disciplinary, mission-driven culture means you’ll constantly learn new things (from hydroponic gardening to robotics) and find creative inspiration. We value inclusive and visionary thinking – everyone’s ideas are welcome. If you have a vision for how to connect culinary arts with STEM education or community wellness, you’ll find a platform here to try it.
How to Apply
If you’re excited about the possibility of cooking with purpose and creativity at SR1, we want to hear from you! To apply, please send us:
· A resume highlighting any relevant culinary, educational, or volunteer experience.
· A cover letter (or brief email introduction) telling us about your passion for cooking (especially Southern/farm-to-table cuisine) and why you’re interested in this role. We’d love to hear about any creative culinary projects you’ve done – whether it’s a school assignment, a community dinner you helped with, or a personal food blog.
· Optional: If you have a portfolio, photos of dishes you’ve created, or letters of recommendation, you are welcome to include them.
Pay: $25,000.00 - $60,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Application Question(s):
- Willing to undergo a background check?
Ability to Commute:
- Canton, MS 39046 (Required)
Work Location: In person
