Job Description

Job Location: 91 - New York, NY 10128
Salary Range: $23.00 - $25.00 Hourly

THE SPENCE SCHOOL
Position: Production Chef
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Start Date: Aug 31, 2026
Hours worked: Full-time M-F 7 a.m.-3 p.m. (evenings/weekends as needed)
Location: Upper East Side, New York City

Compensation: $23-$25/hour, commensurate with experience
ORGANIZATION DESCRIPTION
The Spence School is an independent girls’ school in New York City serving students in grades K–12. We are seeking a Production Chef to join our kitchen team at the Middle/Upper School campus, where we serve over 550 students (grades 5–12) and 125 faculty and staff daily.
Our employees are compassionate, collaborative, and dedicated professionals who bring respect and care into every interaction with members of the community.  We are committed to high ethical standards and to supporting the emotional and physical well-being of our community. Our kitchen emphasizes fresh, scratch-cooked food, global flavors, sustainability, and nutrition education.
JOB DESCRIPTION
We are seeking an experienced and enthusiastic Production Chef with at least three years of professional kitchen experience. This is a fast-paced, hands-on role supporting daily hot-station production, lunch service, and special events.
Reporting to the Head Chef, the Production Chef will work closely with the hot-station team to prepare high-quality food in a collaborative, high-volume school kitchen. The ideal candidate is dependable, organized, flexible, and enjoys working as part of a team. A willingness to take initiative and assist wherever needed is essential.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications
- At least 3 years of professional cooking experience; high-volume experience strongly preferred
- Culinary training or equivalent professional experience preferred
- Strong food-preparation skills and knowledge of diverse cuisines
- Knowledge of food safety and sanitation practices, including HACCP and ServSafe standards
- Strong organizational and time-management skills
- Collaborative, flexible, dependable, and able to maintain a positive, professional work environment
- Interest in scratch cooking, sustainability, and feeding a school community
Duties & Responsibilities:
- Assist with daily hot-station preparation, including proteins, soups, vegetarian entrées, sauces, stocks, and batch cooking
- Communicate closely with the Head Chef and hot-station team to support daily production needs
- Complete tasks accurately and efficiently in a fast-paced environment
- Support lunch service and assist other kitchen stations as needed
- Maintain a clean, organized, and sanitary workstation
- Assist with catered events, including preparation, setup, execution, and breakdown
- Help maintain the cleanliness and organization of kitchen equipment, storage areas, and service spaces
- Participate in deep-cleaning projects as needed
- Follow sustainable practices and all food safety and quality standards
Why You’ll Enjoy Working Here
- Meaningful work: Prepare fresh, thoughtful food that supports students’ health, learning, and well-being.
- Great schedule: Primarily weekday hours, Monday through Friday, with occasional evenings and weekends for special events.
- Scratch cooking: Work with quality ingredients in a kitchen that values fresh preparation, global flavors, and sustainability.
- Supportive team: Join a collaborative, respectful team where creative ideas and professional growth are encouraged.