# School Food Service and Culinary Educator **Company:** [menta](https://zerogtalent.com/space-companies/menta) **Location:** Machesney Park, IL **Work mode:** On-site **Employment type:** Full Time **Salary:** USD 40K–67K/yr **Category:** Technician **Department:** Other **Listed:** 2026-11-09 [View and apply on Zero G Talent](https://zerogtalent.com/space-jobs/menta/school-food-service-and-culinary-educator-3938c7fb-1e42-4206-aef9-c8300a60f538) ## What you'll do - Teach HS culinary class and create curriculum - Prepare, clean and maintain kitchen equipment - Guide students to serve 200 people daily - Instruct special education students with varying abilities - Keep records and stock food ## What you need - Associate's degree in culinary arts or food service - Food Service Safety Manager Certification (FSSMC) required - IL Professional Educator's License or 4000 culinary hours - Experience with special needs children preferred - Nutrition service or foodservice supervision experience ## Job description As a Food Service and Culinary Educator with The Menta Education Group provides direct instruction to and supervision of students in the area of culinary arts and food preparation. The Culinary Instructor guides students in Breakfast and Lunch food preparation and serving. Additional primary responsibilities are food inventory, stocking, and cleaning and maintenance of equipment.  Menta Academy North, Waukegan, IL.  Staff Hours 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. , Mon-Fri, following a 10-Month School Calendar Direct Hire, Continuous Employment with Paid School Breaks **See Qualifications for requirements** ### Responsibilities - Teach HS (Elective) Culinary Class and create a culinary program-including curriculum & instruction. - Prepare, clean and maintain professional kitchen equipment. - Provide direct instructional support to students in culinary arts. - Engage students in achieving vocational and behavioral goals. - Instruct special education students with varying abilities. - Prepare students for post-secondary success. - Consult with clinical staff and the educational team in implementing classroom interventions in order to meet the academic and social-emotional needs of the student. - Guide students to prepare and serve 200 people at each meal (Breakfast & Lunch-Daily) - Keep Records. - Stock and Store Food. ### Qualifications - **Minimum Associate's Degree, strongly preferred in Culinary Arts/Food Service-related field** - **Bachelor's Degree, Preferred**  - **Food Service Safety Manager Certification (FSSMC) license, Required**  - **IL Professional Educator’s License (PEL) _\*OR\*_ 4000 Hours of proven time in working in culinary arts/culinary instruction in order to obtain a Provisional Teacher Certification, Preferred** - Experience in training/coaching/mentoring is ideal  - Previous experience working with special needs children preferred - Nutrition service or Foodservice supervision - Any other relevant culinary, nutrition service, cafeteria or food service experience. ### Benefits - In accordance with the Pay Transparency amendment to the Illinois Equal Pay Act of 2003, information about pay ranges and employee benefits can be found at the following links: - Compensation Information: Salary Range $39,578 to $67,400  annually - [https://menta.com/compensation-arizona-and-illinois/](https://menta.com/compensation-arizona-and-illinois/) - Our benefits package includes comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance; paid time off (PTO); and a 403(b) retirement plan with an employer match. For more information visit: [https://menta.com/employee-benefits-full-time/](https://menta.com/employee-benefits-full-time/) Menta Academy Northwest At Menta Academy Northwest we are dedicated to ensuring each child reaches their potential in becoming 3-C Ready: College Ready, Career Ready, and Citizenship Ready. Educational services are intended to meet both the developmental and individual learning needs of each student. At Menta Academy Northwest we work with each student and family to ensure that each student has a mindset that is ready to learn and grow. Classrooms are designed to be active learning environments where young people have the opportunity to experience educational and behavioral success on a daily basis. Social Emotional learning supports are in place to aid and teach students coping skills, self regulation and restorative practices. These strategies are aimed at helping them succeed both academically and in their social relationships. Students Served: PK-21 Professional Associations and/or Partnerships The Menta Education Group affiliates are members/partners with CEC, CASE, Autism Speaks, ASBA, AAPSEC, AASA, CCSSO, SEAA, ASCD, and many more associations that focus on the education of children with disabilities. Equal Opportunity Employer The Menta Education Group (“Menta”) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, sex (including sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, gender identity and gender expression), color, national origin, religion, age, pregnancy or related conditions, veteran status, sexual orientation, disability or any other basis protected under federal, state or local law.   Any individual needing assistance in making an application for any opening should contact Menta’s office. ## Other open roles at menta - [Leave of Absence (LOA) Analyst](https://zerogtalent.com/space-jobs/menta/leave-of-absence-loa-analyst-84d2de06-7278-47f7-9773-c4c549b57483) — Aurora, IL - [School Office Manager](https://zerogtalent.com/space-jobs/menta/school-office-manager-5d978277-a6c6-41b8-9503-3d37b7c57b78) — Waukegan, IL - [Social Worker Clinician](https://zerogtalent.com/space-jobs/menta/social-worker-clinician-96768ba9-ff47-4bcb-97b3-36a194296f6e) — Chicago, IL - Chatham - [Paraprofessional](https://zerogtalent.com/space-jobs/menta/paraprofessional-486d8e11-1868-48a1-bf7b-901978001caf) — Belleville, IL - [Paraprofessional with Student Transport](https://zerogtalent.com/space-jobs/menta/paraprofessional-with-student-transport-173dabd6-1824-471d-a2c2-ccc974108c60) — Bourbonnais, IL --- *Source: [Zero G Talent](https://zerogtalent.com), the job board for space, defense, AI, robotics and frontier-tech companies.*