Culinary Manager, The Academy Drum Corps

The Academy Drum & Bugle Corps is looking for a Culinary Manager to manage our food program for the 2026 season. This paid position requires someone with a background in food preparation for large groups (catering or school cafeteria/dining hall experience would be a plus). Drum corps experience is preferred – running a mobile kitchen for an extended time period requires a unique skill set and we know that it is a labor of love. Come join The Academy family!

Duration: May 26 – August 8, 2026 (summer season) and occasional weekends in the Spring

Employment Type: Contract/Seasonal

Reports To: Josh Thye, Executive Director, and Tour Director & Corps Manager

Job Description

Arizona Academy of the Performing Arts (The Academy Drum & Bugle Corps) is seeking a Culinary Manager/Food Truck Lead to lead our food operations for the 2026 season/national tour. Our 2026 Tour consists of over 11,000 miles traveled coast to coast, performing 20+ shows in 15 different states! This position helps prepare and serve nutritious meals, from a mobile kitchen, for The Academy Drum Corps members, staff, and volunteers throughout a 75-day summer tour.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and serve four meals a day for ~220 people on Hell’s Kitchen, our commercial kitchen food trailer throughout a 75-day summer tour. (Our summer season consists of ~5 weeks of Move-Ins and ~6 weeks of Tour).
• Help plan menus that accommodate dietary needs and ensure proper nutrition for our musician-athletes.
• Assist in placing Sysco delivery orders and compiling shopping lists for weekly grocery runs.
• Maintain cleanliness and organization of the food truck and meal prep areas, and ensure compliance with food safety and sanitation regulations.

Qualifications

• Experience in meal planning and food prep for large groups. Catering, commercial kitchen, school food service, and/or food truck experience is a plus.
• Ability to prep, cook, clean and other duties as needed inside/outside of the mobile kitchen truck.
• Knowledge of food safety and sanitation guidelines.
• Ability to work in a youth-centered, fast-paced environment with tight schedules during tour/travel.
• Fun and energetic, able to work with many different personalities.
• Flexible, able to adjust to schedule changes quickly.

Location and Schedule

• This position will be on site with The Academy Drum Corps for most of Move-Ins and Tour. Candidate will travel with the drum corps throughout the summer.
• Candidate will lead a rotating team of 4-5 volunteers that staff the food truck each week.

Compensation

• Competitive pay is based on experience and availability.
• Tentative pay range is $10,000 - $12,000 for the entire summer season (approximately 10 weeks).
• Pay determination based off qualifications and experience level.
• This position is considered an independent contractor paid position (1099).
• Travel, housing, transportation, and food will be provided by the drum corps.

Application Process

All applicants will undergo a background and reference check, as well as a series of phone, zoom, or live interviews as part of the evaluation process. To apply, please submit a current resume, including professional references, to: [email protected]

AAPA is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, marital status, citizenship, or any other protected status. We offer equal opportunity and treatment to all who apply and are committed to diversity.