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School Kitchen Assistant Jobs in Wisconsin (NOW HIRING)

Kitchen Assistant

Madison, WI · On-site

$14 - $17.50/hr

Kitchen Assistants support the culinary team by preparing and executing food as directed by the ... High school or vocational school coursework in kitchen basics such as food safety, preferred.

Kitchen Assistant- Casual

Oconomowoc, WI

$14 - $17.25/hr

Genesee Lake School (GLS), a MyPath Company, is seeking a Kitchen Assistant to help prepare and serve nutritious meals for students and staff. Our mission is to create a safe, nurturing, and ...

Kitchen Assistant- Casual

Oconomowoc, WI · On-site

$14 - $17.25/hr

Genesee Lake School (GLS), a MyPath Company, is seeking a Kitchen Assistant to help prepare and serve nutritious meals for students and staff. Our mission is to create a safe, nurturing, and ...

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School Kitchen Assistant information

See Wisconsin salary details

$8

$15

$20

How much do school kitchen assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 14, 2026, the average hourly pay for school kitchen assistant in Wisconsin is $15.55, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $13.61 and $16.73 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between School Kitchen Assistant vs School Cook?

AspectSchool Kitchen AssistantSchool Cook
CredentialsBasic food safety certification, on-the-job trainingFood safety certification, culinary skills, possibly culinary or nutrition qualifications
Work EnvironmentAssist in food prep, serve meals, clean kitchen areasPrepare, cook, and oversee meal production in school kitchens
Employer & IndustrySchools, educational institutionsSchools, educational institutions
Common Search/ComparisonYesYes

The main difference between a School Kitchen Assistant and a School Cook lies in their responsibilities and required skills. The School Kitchen Assistant primarily supports food prep, serving, and cleaning, often with minimal certifications. In contrast, the School Cook is responsible for preparing and cooking meals, often requiring culinary skills and certifications. Both roles work within school environments and are essential for student meal services, but the School Cook typically has a more advanced role in meal preparation.

What challenges do school kitchen assistants face and how can they be managed?

School kitchen assistants often face challenges such as working efficiently during busy lunch periods, maintaining strict food safety standards, and adapting to varying dietary needs among students. Effective management involves strong time-management skills, teamwork, and staying up to date with food hygiene training. Many schools offer on-the-job guidance and ongoing support to help kitchen assistants succeed, making it a great environment for those who enjoy a fast-paced, collaborative workplace.

What is a school kitchen assistant?

School kitchen assistants help prepare and serve food to students and staff in educational settings. Their duties typically include assisting with meal preparation, cleaning kitchen equipment, setting up serving areas, and ensuring food safety and hygiene standards are maintained. They may also help with receiving deliveries, storing supplies, and supporting cooks or chefs as needed. School kitchen assistants play a key role in providing nutritious meals and maintaining a clean, safe kitchen environment.

What skills and qualifications are needed to be a school kitchen assistant?

To thrive as a School Kitchen Assistant, you generally need basic food preparation skills, knowledge of food hygiene, and sometimes a Level 2 Food Safety certificate. Familiarity with kitchen equipment, portion control systems, and cleaning protocols is often required. Attention to detail, teamwork, and good communication skills help you work efficiently and maintain a positive environment. These skills ensure that meals are prepared safely and efficiently, supporting students' health and the smooth operation of the school kitchen.

What are the most commonly searched types of School Kitchen jobs in Wisconsin?

The most popular types of School Kitchen jobs in Wisconsin are:

What cities in Wisconsin are hiring for School Kitchen Assistant jobs?

Cities in Wisconsin with the most School Kitchen Assistant job openings:

Infographic showing various School Kitchen Assistant job openings in Wisconsin as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 53% Full Time, and 47% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $32,347 per year, or $15.6 per hour.

$15.25 - $21/hr

Part-time

Re-posted 22 days ago


Job description

Do you believe great meals can nourish both body and spirit?

Join the Cristo Rey Jesuit High School community as a part-time School Kitchen Lead, where your leadership and love of food help fuel students' growth, learning, and daily mission. In this role, you'll guide day-to-day kitchen operations, support and coordinate kitchen staff, and ensure that nutritious, well-prepared meals are served safely and on time, always aligned with our values of care, service, and excellence.

This is more than a kitchen role; it's an opportunity to lead with purpose and make a meaningful impact every school day.

Part-Time Schedule:

Monday to Friday 6:30 am to 1:00 pm (30 min unpaid lunch)

Job Summary:The part-time School Kitchen Lead oversees the day-to-day operations of the high school kitchen, ensuring the timely preparation and service of nutritious meals in compliance with federal, state, and district guidelines. This role supports the VP of Finance & Operations designee by coordinating kitchen staff, maintaining safety and cleanliness standards, and ensuring efficient meal service for students and staff. Assists in preparing, cooking, and serving meals according to planned menus and standardized recipes. Leads and supports the kitchen staff to ensure smooth, timely, and efficient kitchen operations.Essential Functions
  • Assist in preparing, cooking, and serving meals according to planned menus and standardized recipes.
  • Lead and support kitchen staff to ensure smooth, timely, and efficient kitchen operations.
  • Oversee food portioning, presentation, and proper food handling procedures.
  • Maintain accurate records of meal counts, inventory, and food temperatures.
  • Ensure compliance with USDA meal pattern requirements and school nutrition policies.
  • Monitor and maintain kitchen cleanliness, food safety, and sanitation standards (HACCP).
  • Receive, inspect, and store food and supply deliveries; rotate stock as needed.
  • Train and mentor kitchen staff in best practices for food prep, safety, and customer service.
  • Communicate effectively with the food service manager, school staff, and vendors as needed.
  • Report equipment maintenance needs and assist in troubleshooting kitchen issues.
  • Assist with scheduling and assigning daily tasks to kitchen team members.
  • Provide excellent customer service to students, staff, and guests.
  • Other duties as assigned by the VP of Finance & Operations designee.

Required Qualifications and Skills:

  • High school diploma or GED required.
  • Minimum of 2 years of experience in school food service or institutional kitchen setting.
  • Experience in a leadership or supervisory role preferred.
  • Valid ServSafe certification (or ability to obtain within 30 days).
  • Ability to lift up to 50 pounds and stand for extended periods.
  • Knowledge of child nutrition guidelines and food safety regulations.
  • Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
  • Bilingual (Spanish/English) a plus [optional depending on school population].
  • Ability to consistently maintain a warm, welcoming presence in the servery to students and staff, even in a fastpaced, demanding environment
  • Selfstarter requiring minimal supervision
  • Ability to work in a fastpaced environment with a high degree of attention to detail and accuracy
  • Ability to work effectively as part of a team and efficiently as an individual
  • Experience with PC applications and the use of Google Suite and other software applications as needed
  • Experience with PowerSchool software is preferred
  • Ability to organize, prioritize, schedule and complete jobrelated tasks efficiently
  • Commitment to the Mission and Values of CRJHS.
  • Sensitivity to the ethnic, racial, and religious backgrounds of the student body
  • Ability to work in a faithbased organization
Work Environment:This role operates in a commercial kitchen environment with exposure to hot surfaces, sharp tools, and cleaning chemicals. Requires adherence to health and safety standards at all times.

Cristo Rey Jesuit High School- Who We Are

Cristo Rey Jesuit High School is part of a national network of 41 high schools that transform urban education through a unique integration of college-prep academics, professional experience, and spiritual formation, with a focus on students of limited financial means. As a private, Catholic, Jesuit high school serving 450 students, Cristo Rey Jesuit's mission is to provide an affordable Catholic secondary education with a college-prep curriculum and a Corporate Work Study Program (CWSP) to prepare graduates for success in college, work, and life.

The Cristo Rey team believes that a sound intellect is only one important component of preparation for college and life. Through both their CWSP experience and intentional opportunities for character and spiritual growth within the school day, Cristo Rey students develop the work ethic, resilience, confidence, empathy, openness to growth, and commitment to justice that help ensure their long-term success and enable them to lead by example.

Cristo Rey Jesuit High School provides equal employment opportunities to applicants without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, sex, or national origin.