Cook - Entry (Brick Walk Cafe)/Seasonal Employment

Chautauqua Institution; City of Westminster; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A not-for-profit organization is seeking a motivated Cook for seasonal employment at the Brick Walk Cafe. The ideal candidate will prepare food according to recipes, ensuring high standards of taste and presentation while maintaining a clean kitchen environment. This position offers flexible hours with an hourly rate starting at $16.00, with potential increases based on experience. Candidates should be ready to work weekends and may need to secure independent housing, as no employer-provided housing is available.

Benefits

Flexible schedules

Access to programs at the Amphitheater

$500 referral bonus

Qualifications

• Ability to follow recipe cards and prepare food to specifications.
• Maintaining a clean and safe working environment.
• Competence in communicating with managers about menu items.

Responsibilities

• Prepares food while ensuring taste and presentation.
• Maintains food safety standards and cleanliness.
• Assists with dishwashing and inventory reporting as needed.

Skills

Food preparation

Food safety

Communication

Team player

Job description

Cook - Entry (Brick Walk Cafe)/Seasonal Employment

Job Category: Restaurant

Requisition Number: COOKE004521

• Posted: December 22, 2025
• Full‑Time
• Rate: $16 USD per hour

Locations: 3 S Lake Dr, Chautauqua, NY 14722, USA

The Brick Walk Cafe is a fast casual restaurant with a menu featuring snacks and lunches as well as healthier choices, all prepared fresh daily. The Brick Walk Cafe also home to an ice cream sundae bar and coffee shop. The Brick Walk Cafe is open 11:30 to 8:00 p.m. during the summer season, located just off of Bestor Plaza with indoor and outdoor seating.

About Your Compensation

Compensation for this position starts at $16.00/Hour and, with demonstrated experience and qualifications, candidates may earn up to $18.00/Hour.

About Your Work Day

• Following recipe cards, prepares food for the menu items ensuring taste, presentation, and temperature of food.
• Maintains a food safety and clean working environment.
• Competent communication with FOH Managers on buffet items and their ingredients.
• Proper Storage, Labeling, and rotation of products (FIFO).
• Assists with dishwashing duties.
• Positive team player who is dependable and punctual.
• Cooks may work full‑time or part‑time with some opportunities for overtime, depending on schedule needs. Typically working lunch and evening services in eight‑hour shifts, many Cooks will be required to work weekends and may not receive two days off in a row if working full‑time.
• May be required to inventory food station items on a nightly, weekly, or monthly basis and report inventory to Sous Chef or senior cook.
• All other duties as assigned.

About the Referral Program

Chautauqua Institution’s Referral Bonus Program provides a $500 referral bonus (less taxes) for active employees referring a new candidate who is hired and remains employed for at least 90‑days from the first physical date of work. For seasonal positions working less than 6 months, the new candidate must remain actively employed for at least 30‑days from the first physical date of work and until the closing date of the season (last Sunday in August).

About Your Schedule

Chautauqua Institution and Chautauqua Hotel Company offer flexible schedules, full and part‑time, for seasonal employment during summer operations starting annually each June and concluding in August. Seasonal employment may be available earlier (pre‑season) and beyond season (post‑season) based on business needs and candidate availability. Schedules typically include evenings, weekends, and/or holidays as a requirement.

Typically work an eight‑hour shift with a start time that varies between 5 am to 5 pm.

About Living on the Grounds

No employer‑provided housing is available for this position, including onsite and off‑grounds options. Applicants should plan to secure independent housing or reside within a commutable distance.

About Chautauqua Institution

Chautauqua Institution is a not‑for‑profit global convener of dialogue on the most significant issues of the day through engagement across four pillars of the arts, education, religion, and recreation. The Chautauqua community is located on the shores of Chautauqua Lake in southwestern New York State and comes alive each summer with a unique mix of visual and performing arts, lectures, interfaith worship/programs, and recreational activities.

Employees will receive a traditional Chautauqua gate pass, free of cost, which provides access to many of our programs at the Amphitheater.

Our Commitment to IDEA

Chautauqua Institution values Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA) as a priority in our strategic plan. We are an equal‑opportunity employer committed to equitable and inclusive hiring practices. Applicants and employees will not be discriminated against based on any status protected under federal, state, or local law.

Equal Opportunity Employer. This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.