How to become A School Cafeteria Worker

It is well established that nutrition plays a critical role in children's physical, emotional, and intellectual development. School Cafeteria Workers ensure the health and well-being of students by serving nutritious and wholesome food.

• Cafeteria Assistant
• Food Service Worker
• Food Service Assistant
• School Cook
• School Cafeteria Cook
• Lunch Aide
• Lunch Lady
• Cafeteria Lady

What do School Cafeteria Workers do?

A School Cafeteria Worker would typically need to:

• Prepare and serve hot, hygienic, nutritious, and affordable meals to students, staff, and faculty members as directed by the school administration
• Prepare and serve food items such as sandwiches, burgers, fries, tacos, pizzas, and the like, using available ingredients and set instructions; set up a salad bar
• Follow personal hygiene and prescribed food safety standards strictly while operating cooking and cleaning equipment to avoid cross-contamination of food
• Ensure food quality, nutrition, and portion sizes; follow established institution and government guidelines; regulate food temperature as needed
• Collect due payment for meals and snacks provided by the school either manually or by operating a POS system
• Know which students receive government-subsidised free or reduced-price meals; keep the information confidential 
• Maintain required order and sanitation through appropriate monitoring and cleaning of the cafeteria, food preparation area, and essential equipment
• Collect and stack cafeteria trays; run trays, utensils, and dishes through the dishwasher or wash them manually after every meal 
• Clean grills, ovens, and stoves; sweep floors, set up and clean tables, wipe chairs and other surfaces before and after every meal
• Wash used utensils and dishes in the dishwasher or manually after every meal; prepare for the next meal
• Assist the cafeterian manager with checking the inventory; take note of available supplies and order necessary items
• Ensure proper storage and rotation of the stock, so that every item displayed on the menu is available for consumption
• Buy food in bulk from approved service companies and wholesale or retail grocery outlets within prescribed budget limits
• Maintain amicable working relationships with vendors, colleagues, students, school staff and faculty
• Undertake on-the-job training of new staff members
• Assist nutritionists, dietitians, and other suitably trained staff in planning wholesome menus that meet stringent nutritional standards

School Cafeteria Workers work indoors in a fast-paced and noisy school environment. The kitchen area may be hot and humid and exposes one to fumes, cleaning chemicals, and sharp instruments such as knives, dicers, and mixers.

School Cafeteria Workers can work part-time and full-time during regular school hours. However, they may need a very early start to prepare breakfast. 

Although they must work evenings and weekends during special school events, they can enjoy scheduled summer and winter breaks, except when they work in summer meal programmes.

Research suggests that flexible hours appeal more than salary to the younger generation. There has been an incremental increase in employers willing to give promising employees a chance to adjust their schedules per the job demands.

Finding a new job might seem challenging. School Cafeteria Workers can boost their job search by asking their network for referrals, using job search platforms, going to job fairs, and inquiring at staffing agencies.

School Cafeteria Workers are generally employed by:

• Public and Private Schools

Professional associations and organisations, such as the School Nutrition Association (SNA), are crucial for School Cafeteria Workers interested in pursuing professional development or connecting with like-minded professionals in their industry or occupation.

Professional associations provide members with various continuing education, networking opportunities, and mentorship services. Membership in one or more adds value to your resume while bolstering your credentials and qualifications.

• The need to follow a rigorous cleaning and sanitisation schedule to avoid health disasters related to improper food preparation and serving practices
• Active movement needed for optimum food preparation and serving, including walking, moving, bending, crawling, kneeling, reaching, handling, pushing, and pulling 
• Negative health consequences due to regular exposure to smoke and cleaning chemicals in the kitchen
• Injuries from contact with slippery surfaces and sharp objects such as knives and slicers 
• Physical strain from handling large cooking utensils and equipment, lifting industrial-sized food containers, and standing for extended periods
• Negative stereotypes and disrespect that go hand-in-hand with the job
• Multitasking during rush hours
• A frequently noisy and uncomfortably warm work environment

Although it is not mandatory, candidates with prior experience in food service or a related field will have an advantage over their peers in landing a job as a School Cafeteria Worker.

Your educational provider’s career service department can provide information about viable opportunities for work placements, internships and voluntary work in diverse sectors.

Even while in high school, you can check with a teacher or counsellor about relevant work-based learning opportunities available in your school or community that can help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organisation that is of interest, so you can have fun while learning about yourself and be directed toward a future career. 

Read about the profession and interview or job shadow experts working as School Cafeteria Workers to prove your commitment to course providers and prospective employers. 

A high school diploma or GED (General Educational Development Test) certificate is often mandatory, so applicants for the post of School Cafeteria Worker can read and follow written food menus and work schedules.

Some schools may prefer applicants with at least a two-year associate degree in culinary arts or nutrition.

Remember that completing a particular academic course does not guarantee entry into the profession. Be that as it may, professional qualifications and transferable skills may open up more than one door.

Certification demonstrates a School Cafeteria Worker’s competency in a skillset, typically through work experience, training, and passing an examination. 

Accredited certification in food safety in catering, food preparation and cooking, food hygiene, and hospitality and catering principles can help you stand out in a competitive job market and increase your chances of advancement.

A valid food handler’s permit and driving licence may be essential. Individual government entities conduct the licensing process. It typically requires passing an examination after meeting eligibility requirements, such as a minimum level of education and training.

Employees in this field also need food handler’s permits which can be obtained by application to the local health department or online. 

School Cafeteria Workers may also need an employment background check, including but not limited to a person’s work history, education, credit history, motor vehicle reports (MVRs), criminal record, medical history, use of social media, and drug screening.

Performance, experience, and the acquisition of professional qualifications drive the career progression of School Cafeteria Workers who may become Food Service Managers. 

Aiming to become the Caterer or Food Service Director for a private company is a viable alternative career goal.

Studies prove that job hopping, earlier dismissed as “flaky” behaviour, can lead to greater job fulfilment. Employees searching for a positive culture and interesting work are willing to try out various roles and workplaces and learn valuable, transferable skills along the way.

Candidates with a two-year associate degree in culinary arts or nutrition, adequate experience and a deep desire to help children get the most out of their school years have the best job prospects.

Continuing professional development (CPD) will help an active School Cafeteria Worker build personal skills and proficiency through work-based learning, a professional activity, formal education, or self-directed learning.

Schools usually provide mandatory on-the-job training programmes rolled out by more experienced staff members where newly hired cafeteria workers learn how to prepare and serve food, clean their workspace and operate the cash register according to set guidelines.

In addition, forward-looking School Cafeteria Workers may pursue a certificate in food service management through a community college or university to better understand nutrition, cost control, and food safety and management.

Attending college or technical school to acquire desirable qualifications can make you eligible for promotion to supervisory roles. Being courteous and helpful to the students, staff and faculty and getting along well with your colleagues will prove your dedication to your employer and lead to better advancement opportunities.

Be creative and willing to experiment so you have healthy options on the menu, such as fresh fruits and vegetables and healthier versions of popular school lunch recipes, that still appeal to your clients.

Do your homework so you are more comfortable introducing plant-based options to your clients and educating them on the benefits of eating plants, such as increased fibre and vitamin intake.

The Current Scenario

Schools that increasingly seek to provide tasty and nutritious food while minimising its wastage drive the need for School Cafeteria Workers who can prepare and serve healthy meals that appeal to students.

Tools of the Trade

School Cafeteria Workers use ovens, steamers, stoves, grills, microwaves, and fryers to prepare meals.

School lunches originated in Germany in 1790. Poor children worked part-time in exchange for education and food.

School Cafeteria Workers make a valuable contribution to caring for and nurturing the students by providing them with hearty, delicious meals that fuel them to realise their potential.

Follow safety norms in the workplace to avoid injuries and accidents. Use non-slip footwear and stabilised cutting boards, let frozen food thaw completely before cutting it, and ensure that everyone on your team knows how to prevent and treat burns.