Kitchen Assistant (Prep Cook)
St Patrick Interparish School| Gainesville, FL
Join a Culinary Team Raising the Standard for School Nutrition.
At The School Gourmet, we’re committed to preparing fresh, nutritious meals that students enjoy and families trust. We’re seeking experienced, detail-oriented Kitchen Assistants (Prep Cooks) who take pride in their craft and thrive in a professional kitchen environment.
This is more than a prep cook position—it’s an opportunity to join a growing culinary team that values excellence, consistency, and teamwork.
What You’ll Do
● Prepare fresh ingredients according to standardized recipes and production schedules
● Assist in producing high-volume breakfast and lunch meals with precision and consistency
● Ensure food is prepared, portioned, and presented according to company standards
● Follow all food safety, sanitation, and HACCP procedures
● Maintain a clean, organized, and efficient workstation throughout each shift
● Assist with receiving deliveries, rotating inventory (FIFO), and proper food storage
● Support the Head Chef and kitchen leadership in daily operations
● Contribute to a positive, professional team culture
Required Qualifications
● Minimum 1–2 years of commercial kitchen, catering, institutional, cafeteria, or restaurant prep experience
● Strong knife skills and knowledge of proper food preparation techniques
● Ability to accurately follow recipes and production sheets
● Working knowledge of food safety and sanitation practices
● Ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced, high-volume kitchen
● Ability to stand for extended periods and lift up to 50 pounds
● Reliable transportation and excellent attendance record
Preferred Qualifications
● ServSafe Food Handler or ServSafe Manager Certification (preferred; certification may be required after hire if not currently certified)
● Experience in school nutrition, colleges, universities, hospitals, catering, or other institutional food service
● Experience preparing meals in high-volume production kitchens
● Familiarity with USDA school meal standards or large-batch cooking is a plus
● Culinary school coursework or formal culinary training is a bonus
We’re Looking for Professionals Who…
● Hold themselves to a high standard of excellence
● Take ownership of their work
● Have exceptional attention to detail
● Work with urgency while maintaining quality
● Are dependable, punctual, and accountable
● Thrive in a collaborative team environment
● Maintain a clean and organized workspace without being reminded
● Have a genuine passion for preparing quality food
Why The School Gourmet?
● Competitive pay based on experience
● Consistent weekday schedule with improved work-life balance
● Growth opportunities within a rapidly expanding company
● Professional, team-oriented kitchen environment
● Opportunity to make a lasting impact by serving nutritious meals to students every day
We’re Growing!
The School Gourmet is hiring 20+ team members across multiple departments.
This position is based at St Patrick Interparish School in Gainesville, FL. We’re also expanding throughout the state of Florida, with multiple new opportunities becoming available as we continue to grow.
Apply Today
If you’re an experienced culinary professional who values quality, teamwork, and purpose, we’d love to hear from you.
At The School Gourmet, every meal matters—and every team member helps set the standard.
Work Location: In person
