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School Cook Jobs in Arizona (NOW HIRING)

Legacy Traditional Schools

School Cook - FG

Laveen, AZ · On-site

$13.25 - $17.75/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Skills in providing customer service, prepping and cooking food, operating applicable equipment, monitoring inventory, reading and following recipe directions, maintaining order among school age ...

Vertex Education

School Cook - FG

Laveen, AZ

$14 - $18/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Skills in providing customer service, prepping and cooking food, operating applicable equipment, monitoring inventory, reading and following recipe directions, maintaining order among school age ...

Burrito Express

Cook- cook

Mesa, AZ · On-site

$16.50/hr

Main Responsibilities of a Cook: * Preparing workstations, cooking ingredients, and kitchen ... Must carry at least a high school diploma. The Burrito Express was established in 1995 by Angel ...

Culver's

Cook

Peoria, AZ · On-site

$15 - $16.50/hr

The advantage goes to candidates with a diploma from a culinary school. Responsibilities of a Cook: * Maintaining a sanitized and well-organized kitchen. * Preparing workstations for cooking.

Culver's

Cook

Peoria, AZ · On-site

$15 - $16.50/hr

The advantage goes to candidates with a diploma from a culinary school. Responsibilities of a Cook: * Maintaining a sanitized and well-organized kitchen. * Preparing workstations for cooking.

Culver's

Cook

Tucson, AZ

$15.45/hr

The advantage goes to candidates with a diploma from a culinary school. Responsibilities of a Cook: * Maintaining a sanitized and well-organized kitchen. * Preparing workstations for cooking.

Culver's

Cook

Tucson, AZ

$15.45/hr

The advantage goes to candidates with a diploma from a culinary school. Responsibilities of a Cook: * Maintaining a sanitized and well-organized kitchen. * Preparing workstations for cooking.

Vertex Education

School Food Service Cook - FG

Tucson, AZ · On-site

$13.25 - $17.25/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Skills in providing customer service, prepping and cooking food, operating applicable equipment, monitoring inventory, reading and following recipe directions, maintaining order among school age ...

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School Cook information

See Arizona salary details

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How much do school cook jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average hourly pay for school cook in Arizona is $15.03, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $12.55 and $17.02 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a school cook?

School cooks are food service professionals responsible for preparing and serving meals to students and staff within educational institutions. They follow specific recipes, ensure adherence to nutrition guidelines, and maintain food safety standards. School cooks may also help plan menus, manage inventory, and accommodate special dietary needs. Their role is essential in providing healthy, balanced meals that support students' learning and well-being.

What does a school cook do?

As a school cook, you prepare and serve food for students in a cafeteria. You typically cook lunch in a kitchen every day, but you may also prepare meals for breakfast and provide additional snacks after school or for school events. Your duties include ensuring that you and other cafeteria workers observe food safety and sanitation practices. Other responsibilities involve obtaining and storing ingredients, ensuring that equipment functions properly, and ordering additional supplies as needed. You also plan the menu for foodservice in advance. Schools may require you to continue your education in safe kitchen and food prep practices while employed.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a school cook, and why are they important?

To thrive as a School Cook, you need strong knowledge of nutrition, food preparation, and food safety, typically supported by a high school diploma and food handler certification. Familiarity with commercial kitchen equipment, menu planning software, and inventory management systems is often required. Attention to detail, organization, and the ability to work efficiently as part of a team are essential soft skills. These skills ensure safe, nutritious, and timely meal service to large groups of students while maintaining compliance with health regulations.

What are some common challenges faced by a school cook, and how can they be effectively managed?

School Cooks often face challenges such as preparing large quantities of nutritious meals within tight timeframes and adhering to strict dietary guidelines and food safety regulations. Managing food allergies and accommodating special dietary needs among students can also be demanding. Effective organization, clear communication with staff, and staying updated on food safety protocols are key to overcoming these challenges. Collaborating closely with school nutritionists and kitchen team members helps ensure smooth meal service and a positive dining experience for students.

What is the difference between School Cook vs Cafeteria Worker?

AspectSchool CookCafeteria Worker
CredentialsFood safety certification, culinary skillsFood safety certification, basic food handling
Work EnvironmentKitchen, food prep areasServing lines, dining areas
Employer & IndustrySchools, educational institutionsSchools, cafeterias, food service providers
Job FocusPreparing and cooking mealsServing food, assisting with meal distribution

School Cooks primarily prepare and cook meals in school kitchens, requiring culinary skills and food safety certifications. Cafeteria Workers focus on serving food and assisting with meal distribution in dining areas. While both roles work within school food service environments, School Cooks handle cooking responsibilities, whereas Cafeteria Workers support meal service and customer interaction.

Is being a school cook hard?

School cooks are responsible for preparing meals in a fast-paced environment, often requiring multitasking and adherence to food safety standards. The job can be physically demanding and may involve early mornings or long hours, but it generally involves routine tasks and basic cooking skills.

What do school cooks get paid?

School cooks typically earn an average hourly wage ranging from $12 to $20, depending on experience, location, and school district. Salaries can vary based on factors such as certifications, responsibilities, and whether they work full-time or part-time in a school environment.
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School Cook jobs near you
Infographic showing various School Cook job openings in Arizona as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 77% Full Time, 18% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 97% Physical, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $31,253 per year, or $15 per hour.

School Cook - FG

Legacy Traditional Schools

Laveen, AZ • On-site

$13.25 - $17.75/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 5 days ago

Legacy Traditional Schools rating

5.6

Company rating: 5.6 out of 10

Based on 26 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

509th of 631 rated elementary and secondary schools

Job description

Ignite your desire to be the best!
Imagine an energy so positive, so powerful, it ignites your desire to be the best, inspires you to bring out the best in others, and fuels your aspiration to do the best work of your career.
At Legacy Traditional Schools we do things a special way, in a way that ignites our desire to be the best, illuminates our educators' best talents, lights up the minds of our students, and fuels our school spirit. We shine the brightest when we raise our hands and rise to the challenge of changing lives through education, cultivating bright curious minds, achieving award-winning results, upholding our values, and engaging positively with our students, parents and communities.
POSITION OVERVIEW
To prepare and serve food according to a planned menu using tested, uniform recipes, and determine if the finished product is of best quality both in flavor and appearance before it is served. Perform all kitchen duties as required; i.e., salad preparation, washing dishes, baking, cleaning tables, sweeping and mopping, etc. as needed.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Note: The essential functions below describe the general requirements of this position and are not intended to be an exhaustive statement of duties. Incumbents may perform all or most of the primary accountabilities listed below. Specific tasks, responsibilities or competencies may be documented in the incumbent's performance objectives as outlined by the incumbent's immediate supervisor or manager.
  • Assists in preparing and cooking foods, which may include: panning frozen food, cupping fruit, washing and bagging fruits and vegetables, baking foods, chopping salad items, monitoring food temperatures, preparing sandwiches, removing hot items from ovens, and/or performing other related activities.
  • Serves and replenishes food supply.
  • Cleans cafeteria and/or kitchen areas, which includes: wiping down tables, placing trays in the proper location, picking up trash, sweeping and mopping floors, loading dish washers, cleaning refrigerators and freezers, cleaning ovens, putting garbage cans in proper locations, sanitizing and cleaning towels, putting up benches, and/or performing other related duties.
  • Prepare the cafeteria for meals, which includes: placing food in hot carts, rotating foods, preparing and monitoring the availability of utensils and napkins, preparing trays, placing scoops and/or spoons for serving and performing other related activities.
  • Assists with monitoring food inventory, performs counts of unused food following daily meal service.
  • Performs other duties of a similar nature or level.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES
Education, Licensure, or Certification
  • High School Diploma or G.E.D.
  • Food Handlers card.

Work Experience or Related Experience
  • Six months of food handling service or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties listed above.

Specialized Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
  • Have knowledge of customer service principles, basic mathematical concepts, applicable cooking and food prep equipment, basic inventory principles, cash handling procedures, basic food prep and cooking techniques, and cleaning and sanitizing methods.
  • Skills in providing customer service, prepping and cooking food, operating applicable equipment, monitoring inventory, reading and following recipe directions, maintaining order among school age children, handling and counting money, cleaning and sanitizing kitchen areas and machinery.
  • Be able to handle food, read food thermometers, as well as communicate and exchange information with coworkers, supervisors, and customers.

BACKGROUND CHECKS
  • The incumbent in this position will be required to pass a criminal history background check

Arizona Employees:
  • Arizona Department of Public Safety Level One IVP Fingerprint Clearance Card
  • Must be able to obtain and hold a valid IVP Level One Fingerprint Clearance Card at all times

PHYSICAL AND TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS / WORK ENVIRONMENT
  • Positions in this class typically require: stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, finger dexterity, grasping, talking, hearing, seeing, and repetitive motions.
  • Exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

Enjoy the benefits of being the best!
Education is not a spectator sport, so we encourage you to work hard, learn, have fun, and always do your best. We thrive when cultivating curious minds, achieving award-winning results, upholding our values, and engaging positively with our students, parents, and communities. Every team member, from our support staff to our leadership team has knowledge to share, skills to teach, inspiration to offer, and a passion for helping others learn and perform their best.
Enjoy industry-leading pay, rewards, referral bonuses and paid time-off. Care for your health and your family with comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits, discounted onsite childcare and student enrollment priority. Invest in your future with retirement plans and enhance your growth with promotion opportunities, training, mentoring, and tuition reimbursement.
Ignite your career and apply today!

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