School Chef & Food Program Manager

Employment Details

Position: School Chef & Food Program Manager

Type: Full Time, Exempt

Compensation: $50,000-$60,000 annually, based on education and experience

Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:00am-3:00pm

Location: New Haven, CT (On-site)

Reports to: Director of Operations

About Leila Day

Leila Day is a progressive, play-based, nature-centered school where childhood is honored. We innovate and build on the best traditions and practices of progressive, early childhood education. We believe in teaching and learning grounded in caring relationships, filled with joyful, learning adventures, and powered by the creativity of children at play. Teachers plan learning experiences around the needs and interests of the children and the opportunities provided by the natural world and our multicultural community. 

Our indoor and outdoor classrooms encourage children to explore, wonder, learn, and grow. Located beside East Rock Park in New Haven, we use the woods, trails, streams, and surrounding neighborhood as an extension of the classroom.

About the Position

Leila Day serves approximately 100 children ages 3–10 and 25 staff through preschool, kindergarten, and afterschool programs. We are looking for a School Chef & Food Program Manager to take ownership of our school food program. This is a hands-on, one-person kitchen operation with responsibility for planning, preparing, serving, and managing breakfast, lunch, and snacks each day.

The ideal candidate is a skilled and creative cook who genuinely enjoys cooking for children, takes pride in preparing wholesome food from scratch, and can independently manage the many moving pieces of a busy school kitchen. You will have the opportunity to shape our menus and food culture while working closely with teachers and children. We especially welcome someone who sees food as part of children's learning and is excited to occasionally bring cooking experiences into the classroom.

We are looking for someone who is both a great cook and a thoughtful food program manager. You should enjoy working independently while also being an engaged member of a collaborative school community.

Key Responsibilities

Food & Menu Planning

• Plan and prepare nutritious, appealing breakfasts, lunches, and snacks that meet USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) requirements and Leila Day's nutrition standards.
• Create a two-week menu for administrative review and publication on the Leila Day website.
• Consider children's tastes, developmental needs, and food preferences while introducing a variety of healthy foods and flavors.
• Accommodate documented dietary restrictions and incorporate feedback from teaching staff.

Kitchen & Food Program Management

• Prepare and serve breakfast, lunch, and snack each school day.
• Order food and kitchen supplies within budget and manage inventory, receiving, storage, and rotation of products.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and welcoming kitchen, pantry, and food-storage areas in accordance with health regulations and Leila Day standards.
• Wash breakfast and lunch dishes and coordinate with the cleaning crew for afternoon dishwashing.
• Manage recycling and compost and follow all applicable food safety, sanitation, and health regulations.

Community & Collaboration

• Collaborate with teachers around food, menus, and children's interests.
• Help cultivate a positive, friendly, and homelike atmosphere around food and mealtimes.
• Prepare food for staff meetings, Board meetings, school events, and other gatherings as needed.
• Contribute to the broader life and community of Leila Day.

Required Qualifications

• At least three years of experience in a professional kitchen or similar food-service position.
• Associate's degree in culinary arts or equivalent culinary training and experience.
• Current Kitchen Manager ServSafe certification.
• Demonstrated skill and experience as a cook.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a busy environment.
• Ability to work independently and take ownership of a one-person kitchen operation.
• Commitment to preparing delicious, nutritious food for young children.
• Comfort working in a school environment with young children and educators.
• A warm, collaborative, and community-minded approach.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in a school, preschool, childcare center, camp, or other setting serving children.
• Familiarity with CACFP and/or other USDA child nutrition requirements.
• Experience accommodating food allergies and dietary restrictions.
• Interest in sustainable food practices, including seasonal cooking, local sourcing, reducing food waste, recycling, and composting.
• Interest in cooking with children and sharing food knowledge with students, families, and the broader Leila Day community.
• A creative approach to introducing children to new foods, flavors, and cooking experiences.

Benefits & Professional Growth

• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Retirement Plan
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance, including substantive health benefits beginning immediately
• Holiday and vacation pay
• Four weeks of paid vacation, aligned with the New Haven Public Schools calendar
• 401(k) retirement plan with employer matching contributions available after two years of service
• A supportive, mission-driven school community
• The opportunity to shape and grow Leila Day's food program

Leila Day is an accredited, nonprofit child care center serving children of working families from diverse economic, racial and cultural backgrounds from New Haven and surrounding towns. In operation since 1878, this celebrated program's mission is to foster children's social, emotional, intellectual and physical development within a warm and nurturing environment built on sound

principles of child development. Leila Day emphasizes nature and outdoor education. The children and teachers spend time learning outside every day.