Lead Cook / AM Kitchen Lead
Busche Academy – Chester, NH
Starting Pay: $25.00 per hour
Monday-Friday No Nights No Weekends
Anticipated Start Date: August 24, 2026
Interviews will be held the first week of August.
Busche Academy is a private coeducational boarding and day school serving students in grades 6-12 and postgraduates in Chester, New Hampshire. We provide a multicultural, college-preparatory education to students from around the world.
We are seeking an organized, dependable, and energetic culinary professional to join the Busche Academy Kitchen team.
This full-time position serves as the lead morning kitchen team member and is responsible for opening the kitchen each weekday, leading breakfast service with the support of one additional kitchen team member, and beginning daily food production before the Executive Chef arrives.
Because breakfast service begins before the Executive Chef arrives, reliability and punctuality are essential for success in this position.
Busche Academy's kitchen has achieved deficiency-free health inspections for the past two inspection cycles. We take pride in maintaining high standards of food safety, cleanliness, and organization, and are seeking a team member who shares those values.
Schedule
- Monday through Friday
- 5:30 AM to 1:30 PM
- No nights
- No weekends
- Eligible for seasonal layoff during summer vacation periods
Job Duties
- Independently open the kitchen each morning.
- Lead daily breakfast service with the support of another kitchen team member.
- Prepare a variety of breakfast menu items according to established production schedules.
- Begin dinner production and prep after breakfast service.
- Complete same-day and future meal preparation as directed.
- Occasionally assist with lunch preparation when needed.
- Maintain high standards of food safety, cleanliness, and sanitation throughout the kitchen.
- Label, rotate, and store food products according to established procedures.
- Assist in reducing food waste and maintaining product quality.
- Receive and properly put away deliveries and supplies.
- Work closely with one additional kitchen team member during breakfast service.
- Assist with dishwashing and cleaning duties when necessary.
- Report equipment or facility concerns to management.
- Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
- Reliability and attendance are critical for this position.
- Ability to work independently and multitask.
- Previous cooking or food service experience preferred.
- Positive attitude and willingness to learn.
- Must enjoy working with teenagers and adults.
- Ability to stand for extended periods and lift up to 40 pounds.
- Current ServSafe Manager Certification is preferred but not required.
- Busche Academy will provide and pay for ServSafe Manager Certification testing for employees who do not currently hold a certification.
- ServSafe Manager Certification must be completed within 30 days of hire.
Benefits
- Starting pay of $25.00 per hour.
- Paid Time Off is earned at the rate of 1 hour for every 20 hours worked.
- Monday-Friday schedule.
- No nights or weekends.
- Eligible for seasonal layoff during summer vacation periods.
- Extended Christmas and New Year's holiday break (approximately two weeks).
- Supportive and organized work environment.
This Job Is
- A great opportunity for someone looking to leave restaurant nights and/or weekends behind.
- A good fit for experienced cooks seeking schedule stability.
- A good fit for applicants returning to the workforce.
- Open to applicants of all ages, including older job seekers.
- A position where dependability matters as much as experience.
Pay: From $25.00 per hour
Benefits:
Application Question(s):
- Are you consistently available Monday through Friday beginning at 5:30 AM?
- Please describe your previous cooking or food service experience.
Ability to Commute:
- Chester, NH 03036 (Required)
Work Location: In person
