Culinary Platform Attendant — Fast-Paced Campus Kitchen

MSU - Michigan State University; East Lansing (MI); On-site; USD 17,000 - 22,000; Part time

Job summary

Michigan State University invites applications for a River Trail Culinary Platform Attendant in our Residential Dining team. You will help prepare, organize, and supply food items across multiple dining stations, supporting cooks and serving campus students, staff, and guests with a friendly, professional approach.

The role emphasizes food safety, waste reduction, and consistent service quality while you develop foundational culinary skills in a fast-paced kitchen.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• One year of full-time experience in food preparation and use of kitchen equipment.
• Knowledge of kitchen safety practices.
• Ability to read weights and measures and to weigh and measure ingredients.
• Ability to perform basic arithmetic (add, subtract, multiply, divide) with whole numbers and fractions.
• Knowledge of various methods of food preparation (sautéing, display cooking, deep frying, grilling, steaming).
• Ability to safely use knives and standard kitchen equipment.
• Ability to produce items with proper methods and production timing for continuous service.
• Occasional lifting of 26 to 75 pounds.

Responsibilities

• Station Prep & Organization: Set up, replenish, and maintain salad bars, hot/cold stations, and to-order service areas.
• Culinary Assistance: Support cooks by combining ingredients, measuring portions, and assembling meals to order.
• Food Safety and Quality: Apply proper food handling, rotation, and storage techniques to eliminate waste and prevent spoilage.
• Customer Service: Serve meals directly to students, staff, and guests with a friendly and welcoming demeanor.
• Team Collaboration: Work effectively within a diverse workforce to maintain efficient dining hall operations.

Skills

Food preparation

Kitchen safety

Weights & measures

Mathematical aptitude

Knife handling

Production timing

Lifting 26-75 lbs

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Michigan State University invites applications for a River Trail Culinary Platform Attendant in our Residential Dining team. You will help prepare, organize, and supply food items across multiple dining stations, supporting cooks and serving campus students, staff, and guests with a friendly, professional approach.

The role emphasizes food safety, waste reduction, and consistent service quality while you develop foundational culinary skills in a fast-paced kitchen.