Banquet Cook

Arbor-Day-Farm-1; Nebraska City (NE); On-site; USD 42,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare

401(k) with company match

Paid time off

Complimentary daily meal

Discounts on stays and dining

Job summary

Arbor Day Farm in Nebraska City is seeking a Banquet Cook to help deliver exceptional events, including weddings, conferences, and receptions, from 20 to 400+ guests. You’ll produce plated meals, buffets, hors d’oeuvres, and banquet items while upholding flavor, presentation, and safety standards.

You’ll report to the Executive Chef and collaborate with culinary and banquet leadership to ensure seamless execution.

Qualifications

• Two to Three years of relevant experience in banquet cooking, catering, a commercial kitchen, or a sous chef or chef role is preferred.
• Experience preparing and executing food for groups ranging from 20 to more than 400 guests.
• Portfolio or examples of plated work that demonstrate culinary skills and presentation
• Strong time-management and organizational skills.
• Creative, solutions-focused mindset and the ability to pivot when event needs change.
• Team-first approach with strong communication skills.
• Ability to remain calm, organized, and focused in a fast-paced environment.
• Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and holidays based on events.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and execute food for weddings, conferences, receptions, banquets, and other special events ranging from 20 to more than 400 guests.
• Produce plated meals, buffets, hors d'oeuvres, and other banquet items while maintaining standards for flavor, presentation, portioning, and temperature.
• Read and follow banquet event orders, including timelines, guest counts, menu selections, dietary needs, and special requests.
• Stay organized while preparing multiple dishes or supporting several events simultaneously.
• Work efficiently in a high-volume culinary environment and adapt to changing guest counts and timelines.
• Coordinate with culinary, banquet, conference management, and sales teams to ensure event details are understood and executed.
• Assist with event preparation, cooking, plating, timing, breakdown, storage, and kitchen cleanup.
• Maintain a clean, safe workspace following food safety standards.
• Support training and coaching of culinary team members as assigned.
• Assist Banquet Sous Chef with menu creation, costing, testing, and implementation.

Skills

Banquet cooking

Catering

Time management

Organizational skills

Teamwork

Communication

Creative mindset

Flexibility

Job description

Does the opportunity to devote your culinary talents to a cause much greater than yourself excite you? At Arbor Day Farm, you don’t just prepare meals—you help create memorable weddings, conferences, celebrations, and events rooted in purpose, service, and impact. Life is short, love where you work.As one of the world’s largest conservation organizations, the Arbor Day Foundation inspires people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees. Through Arbor Day Farm, Lied Lodge, Tree Adventure, and our historic properties, we bring that mission to life by welcoming guests to experience conservation firsthand.Join Arbor Day Farm as a Banquet Cook and use your creativity, organization, and culinary experience to deliver exceptional events while advancing the Foundation’s mission right here in Nebraska City.Your Support System:You’ll report to our Executive Chef and work closely with our culinary and banquet leadership teams.You’ll collaborate with team members across the property, including Banquets, Conference Management, Sales, Timbers, and other culinary outlets, to ensure each event is executed successfully.We believe in servant leadership, open communication, teamwork, and growing talent from within.How We Work:Location: Nebraska City, Nebraska – Arbor Day Farm CampusSchedule: Full-Time; flexible schedule with typical shifts from 11a.m. - 7 p.m. Workdays and hours will vary based on weddings, conferences, and other scheduled events.Our campus is guest-centered and hospitality-driven. The Banquet Cook plays an important role in creating memorable experiences for groups ranging from intimate gatherings to events with more than 400 guests. This role requires flexibility, attention to detail, and the ability to stay organized while supporting multiple events and deadlines.We work hard, support one another, and believe that if we’re going to do something, it’s worth doing well.What You’ll Do:Prepare and execute food for weddings, conferences, receptions, banquets, and other special events ranging from 20 to more than 400 guests.Produce plated meals, buffets, hors d’oeuvres, and other banquet menu items while maintaining standards for flavor, presentation, portioning, and temperature.Read and follow banquet event orders, including event timelines, guest counts, menu selections, dietary needs, and special requests.Stay organized while preparing multiple dishes or supporting several events taking place at the same time.Work efficiently in a fast-paced, high-volume culinary environment and adjust quickly when guest counts, timelines, or event needs change.Coordinate with culinary, banquet, conference management, and sales team members to ensure event details are understood and successfully executed.Assist with event preparation, cooking, plating, service timing, breakdown, proper food storage, and kitchen cleanup.Maintain a clean, organized, and safe workspace while following food safety and sanitation standards.Support the training, development, and coaching of culinary team members as assigned.Assist the Banquet Sous Chef with the creation, costing, testing, and implementation of banquet, outlet, and seasonal menus.Help control food waste by following recipes, production plans, portion standards, and proper storage procedures.What You’ll Bring/Experience or Skills Needed for the Role:Passion for hospitality, service, and the Foundation’s mission.Two to Three years of relevant experience in banquet cooking, catering, a commercial kitchen, or a sous chef or chef role is preferred.Experience preparing and executing food for groups ranging from 20 to more than 400 guests.A portfolio or examples of plated work that demonstrate your culinary skills and attention to presentation preferred but not required.Strong time-management and organizational skills, with the ability to successfully prepare and execute multiple dishes.A creative, solutions-focused mindset and the ability to pivot when event needs change.A team-first approach with strong communication skills.The ability to remain calm, organized, and focused in a fast-paced environment.A commitment to high standards—because good enough is not good enough.The flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and holidays based on weddings, conferences, and other scheduled events.What Success Looks Like:Consistently prepare and execute high-quality banquet food that meets our standards for flavor, presentation, portioning, and temperature.Read and follow banquet event orders so meals are prepared accurately, dietary needs are addressed, and service timelines are met.Maintain a clean, organized, and safe kitchen while helping control waste and use resources responsibly.Communicate clearly, remain flexible, and support the culinary and banquet teams in creating successful events for every guest.Love Where You Work: Benefits & PerksWe’re in this together. A culture focused on kindness, collaboration, and doing what’s right. (All Statuses)We care about your health. Competitive healthcare coverage—including medical, dental, and vision—paired with wellness incentives.We invest in your future. Company-paid short-term and long-term disability, life insurance, and a 401(k) with company match.We care about your mental health. Access to an Employee Assistance Program for you and your family.We will feed you. One complimentary meal per day.We’ll round out the experience. Property-wide events and experiences throughout the year.Exclusive perks. Free access to Tree Adventure and discounts on overnight stays, retail purchases, dining at Timbers and Porter’s, golf, and more.Full-Time and Part-Time Team Members are eligible for paid time off, including vacation, sick leave, floating holiday, and end-of-year floating holiday hours.How to Apply:We’re excited that you’re considering growing your culinary career with us at Arbor Day Farm.After you apply, we aim to follow up within one to two weeks through an email from Paycom outlining the next steps.Our hiring process typically includes:A phone conversation with our Recruiter or People TeamAn in-person interview with the hiring managerAdditional conversations depending on the roleThe Arbor Day Foundation is an equal opportunity employer.The Arbor Day Foundation is committed to equal employment opportunities. We will not discriminate against Team Members or applicants for employment on any legally recognized basis (“protected class”), including but not limited to veteran status, uniformed servicemember status, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, age, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, physical or mental disability, genetic information, or any other protected class under federal, state, or local law.We participate in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm your authorization to work in the United States.If you need a reasonable accommodation to complete your application or participate in the interview process, please contact us at 402-873-8733.