Cook - Experienced (Brick Walk Cafe)/Seasonal Employment

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

Job summary

A renowned cultural organization is seeking an experienced Cook for seasonal employment at its Brick Walk Cafe located in New York State. The ideal candidate should have 3-5 years of culinary education and experience, able to prepare food while ensuring quality and safety. This role includes flexible scheduling for the summer season, with the expectation of evening and weekend shifts. Applicants should plan for independent housing and are encouraged to engage in the community activities through a provided gate pass.

Benefits

Access to community programs

$500 referral bonus for new hires

Qualifications

• 3-5 years combined culinary education and experience.

Responsibilities

• Prepare food for menu items ensuring taste, presentation, and temperature.
• Prepare kitchen for shifts including ingredients and equipment.
• Monitor other cooks and kitchen team members as needed.
• Maintain food safety and a clean working environment.
• Communicate effectively with management regarding menu items.

Skills

Trained professional cook

Job description

Cook - Experienced (Brick Walk Cafe)/Seasonal Employment

Job Category: Restaurant
Requisition Number: COOKE004497

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• Posted: December 22, 2025
• Full-Time
• Rate: $20 USD per hour

Locations

Showing 1 location

New York State - Hotel 3
The Athenaeum Hotel
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 is 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.

Compensation

Compensation for this position starts at $20.00/Hour and, with demonstrated experience and qualifications, candidates may earn up to $23.00/Hour.

Responsibilities

• Following recipe cards, prepares food for the menu items ensuring taste, presentation, and temperature of food.
• Prepares kitchen for the shift including ingredients and equipment.
• Monitors other cooks and culinary team members as requested.
• Maintains a food safety and clean working environment.
• Effective communication with front of the house managers on menu items and their ingredients.
• Proper Storage, Labeling, and rotation of products (FIFO).
• 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.

Referral Program

Chautauqua Institution’s Referral Bonus Program is a talent solution to recruit, develop, and retain a diverse workforce that encompasses all the skills and experience necessary to deliver on our goals and objectives. Chautauqua Institution will provide 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. In the case of 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. The closing date of the season is the last Sunday in August.

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.

While you will confirm your final schedule with management at the time of an interview and offer of employment, you should generally anticipate the following schedule options for this position:

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

Living on the Grounds

No employer-provided housing is available for this position. 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. Chautauqua Institution owns and operates Chautauqua Hotel Company, a comprehensive hotel, food & beverage, conferencing, and events organization.

There are countless ways that our talent will engage with our mission, vision, and diverse communities, and you are invited to immerse yourself in our programming as a gateway to this experience. Employees will receive a traditional Chautauqua gate pass, free of cost, which provides access to many of our programs at the Amphitheater.

Commitment to IDEA

Chautauqua Institution values Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA) as a priority in our strategic plan, 150 Forward .One of our five core values is “The dignity and contributions of all people.” We are committed to creating conditions where everyone can engage as complete and valued participants in the Chautauqua experience. The Institution is 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. We especially welcome applications from those who can demonstrate experience, engagement, and professional expertise in IDEA.

Qualifications

• Trained professional cook with 3‑5 years combined culinary education and experience.

Licenses & Certifications

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.