It’s not every day you meet someone who serves up more than meals. But if you spend even a few minutes with Rachael Bryant, Head Cook at Harrisburg High School, you’ll realize that what she’s doing is much more than just feeding students. Of course, this is not a one woman job. She’s joined by a crew of seven hardworking ladies who work together so that everyone eats. They are Julie Wright, Alisha Shaw, Helen Johnson, Liz Mayhall, Djuana Ryan, Mary Steinsultz-Jones, and Dawn Gulley.

Rachael has been overseeing the bustling kitchen at Harrisburg High for three years, and her love for food started long before she took on this role. In fact, she honed her skills working with a local catering company, where she learned how to prepare meals for large groups—an essential skill when you’re whipping up breakfast for 120 and lunch for up to 270 hungry high schoolers. And if that wasn’t enough, Rachael and her team also prepare meals for the district’s early learning center, BELA, feeding an additional 120 kids each day.

It’s a demanding job, and Rachael is the first to admit that it’s hard work. But that doesn’t slow her down. “I wanted better hours and summers off,” she jokes, “but I knew how to cook big, so here I am!” The love she has for her work— and for the students she feeds—is evident. Every meal she prepares, every tray that rolls out of the kitchen, isn’t just about satisfying hunger. It’s about ensuring the students have what they need to get through their day.

This extends beyond just offering seconds to students who need a little more. Rachael’s commitment to her work is personal. “There are kids that come here hungry,” she says, and the compassion in her voice is unmistakable. “Some kids don’t have much at home, but when they’re here, we make sure they’re full.”

Harrisburg High School’s open campus policy means students could choose to leave for lunch, but many choose to stay—and it’s not just because the meals are free. It’s because Rachael and her crew have created a welcoming, safe environment for students, one where they can rely on more than just a hot meal. As Rachael puts it, “It says a lot that even the seniors come in to eat with us.”

From preparing “Chicken on the Beach,” the students’ favorite Mexican dish, to baking trays of cookies every Friday that sell out by 10 a.m., Rachael’s kitchen isn’t just a place for meals—it’s a hub of activity and care. She even caters board meetings and still finds time to chat with students, lending an ear and offering advice when they need it.

When asked what she loves most about her job, Rachael is humble. “I love this job. I love the girls I work with. For me, it’s about knowing that when the kids come here, they’re not going to leave hungry.” It’s clear that for Rachael, being a lunch lady—yes, she embraces the term—is about more than food. It’s about community, connection, and care.

As the Head Cook, Rachael manages a team of seven women who work together seamlessly to make sure no one leaves Harrisburg High on an empty stomach. Whether they’re feeding students or working with local food vendors, their role is often unsung but undeniably vital to the school’s success.

So, while it might seem like Rachael’s job happens behind the scenes, the impact she has on the students at Harrisburg is front and center. After all, the best nourishment often comes with a side of love—and Rachael Bryant serves up plenty of both.