chefannfoundation

Train for a new career — and get paid to do it

Want to help plan and cook fresh, healthy meals for kids in your community?

Get paid to jumpstart a career in school food with 7 weeks of hands-on experience, and gain school food expertise with self-paced online courses.

Whether it’s your first time in a school kitchen or the next step in your career, you’ll build skills you can use in school food programs across California.

Applications close Jan 28; Program runs Mar 23–May 15.

Spots are limited. Start your school food journey today.

Ready to take the first step?





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About the Program

California school kitchens are changing how they prepare meals for kids. Join the movement!

More schools are shifting to freshly prepared, nourishing meals made with whole ingredients. This program gives you the skills to be part of that change. In paid training, you will get to:

Learn to follow standardized school food recipes
Cook and serve fresh meals with wholesome ingredients
Use commercial culinary tools and equipment
Build confidence in an active kitchen
Experience being part of a school food team
Gain expertise with self-paced online courses

What Graduates Are Saying

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Even small lessons stuck with me — I brought what I learned in the online courses straight to the kitchen.
Almary Bravo
Pre-Apprentice
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Being part of [the Pre-Apprenticeship] makes you feel like you’re really contributing to something bigger.
Ashley Rothschell
Pre-Apprentice
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The way the program is structured is great because we have so much support.
Lilian Orellana
Pre-Apprentice

Frequently Asked Questions

This is a paid, 7-week, part-time learning opportunity that pays $18 per hour. While it’s not a full-time job, it can help you land one. You’ll build useful culinary skills and gain experience that school food employers are looking for.

No experience is required — just interest and a willingness to learn! If you’ve taken culinary classes, worked in a restaurant, or helped prepare meals at home, that experience can be helpful.

Yes! This program is a great fit for college students, especially those studying culinary arts, health, or education, who want real-world experience. Many students complete the program while still in school, sometimes fulfilling internship requirements or even earning college credit, depending on their institution.

There’s no cost to join the program. In some cases, participants may need to arrange for things like background checks or health screenings, but the Chef Ann Foundation will reimburse these costs.

Participants take three self-paced classes online through the Chef Ann Foundation’s School Food Institute platform to learn more about school food operations, healthy ingredients, and menu planning. There are no fees associated with the coursework.

Pre-Apprentices complete their hands-on training locally at one of our 70+ partner school districts located across California.

Participants complete 12 hours of hands-on training per week, along with approximately 3 hours of online learning per week, over the 7-week program.

Graduates earn a certificate of completion from the California Division of Apprenticeship Standards and are encouraged to apply for the paid, 9-month Apprenticeship program to continue building their careers.

Our Graduates in Action