Training and Teamwork: Maximizing the Benefits of New Equipment in the District’s Central Kitchen

With the new Cook Chill Tank installed, our Central Kitchen staff are back in action, undergoing hands-on training to master the updated system. McKinstry, our PowerED partner, was onsite to help ensure the machine was working correctly while staff trained. This professional development ensures that every team member is confident operating the new equipment, understands its safety features, and can take full advantage of its efficiency. 

Staff put the system to the test by making batches of homemade Sweet and Sour Sauce. After cooking the sauce and filling large bags, they dropped the bags into the Chill Tank tub to cool them quickly before storing them in the freezer for delivery to schools this fall. Who doesn’t love a good homemade sweet and sour sauce? 

By combining upgraded technology with staff expertise, the district is improving workflow, reducing manual labor, and boosting overall productivity in the kitchen. Meals can be prepared and chilled more quickly and consistently, allowing our staff to focus on quality, safety, and nutrition. 

“Investing in both people and equipment ensures our staff are equipped to deliver their best for our students every day,” said Joe Byrne, Executive Director of District Operations and Facilities Management. 

Investing in both people and equipment reflects our commitment to a workplace where staff feel supported and empowered. When staff are trained on modern, reliable systems, they can work more efficiently, reduce the likelihood of errors, and continue delivering thousands of safe, nutritious meals to students each day. 

This training reinforces that strategic capital improvements are not just about new machines, they are about strengthening the team and enhancing the daily operations that support our students and school communities. 

The new Cook Chill Tank is another example of how levy-funded capital improvements support the daily needs of our students and staff, often behind the scenes but always essential. 

Learn more about the Cook Chill Tank in our previous story online at https://www.puyallupsd.org/about-us/departments/capital-projects/contact-us/story-detail/~board/news/post/behind-the-scenes-a-new-chiller-for-the-districts-central-kitchen  

To learn more about Capital Levy projects across the district, visit www.puyallupsd.org/levy