Cook - Experienced (Heirloom Restaurant)/Seasonal Employment

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

Job summary

A renowned seasonal restaurant in the United Kingdom seeks an experienced Cook to manage food preparation and maintain kitchen standards during its busy summer season. The role involves following recipes, ensuring quality and safety, and maintaining communication with front-of-house staff. Ideal candidates have strong culinary skills and can work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends. This position offers competitive pay starting at $20/hour, with opportunities for overtime and advancement based on experience.

Benefits

Flexible schedules

$500 referral bonus

Access to diverse programs

Qualifications

• Prior experience in a restaurant kitchen is preferred.
• Ability to follow recipes and chef instructions accurately.
• Flexibility to work various shifts including evenings and weekends.

Responsibilities

• Prepare menu items ensuring taste and presentation.
• Maintain a clean and organized kitchen environment.
• Monitor and assist culinary team members.

Skills

Culinary skills

Food safety knowledge

Effective communication

Job description

Cook - Experienced (Heirloom Restaurant)/Seasonal Employment

Job Category : Restaurant

Requisition Number : COOKE004413

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

Locations

New York State - Hotel 3
The Athenaeum Hotel
3 S Lake Dr
Chautauqua, NY 14722, USA

The Heirloom Restaurant is our flagship restaurant, featuring formal dining and lakeside comfort in the dining room of the historic Athenaeum Hotel. The culinary experience is managed by the Executive Chef. During the nine-week summer season the Heirloom Restaurant is open every day, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. During the pre-season (May) and post-season (September) the restaurant is open Thursday to Sunday for lunch and dinner.

About Your Compensation

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

About Your Work Day

• Follows 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 food safety and a 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.

About the 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.

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.

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.

About 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.

Our 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.

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.