Lead Cook

Concordia College; Bemidji (MN); On-site; USD 23,000 - 26,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Health Savings Account

Flexible Spending Account

Vision Insurance

Dental Insurance

Retirement Plan

Long-Term Disability Insurance

Life Insurance

13 Paid holidays including the time of

MN Paid Family and Medical Leave

Tuition discounts

Extras: MATbus rides

Job summary

Concordia Language Villages, a program of Concordia College, in Bemidji, Minnesota, seeks a Lead Cook to bring culturally authentic meals to participants and staff. You will lead daily kitchen operations, guide a culinary team, ensure safety, quality, and timely service in a dynamic program setting.

This year-round, full-time role blends hands-on cooking with leadership, supporting menu planning, dietary accommodations, and cross-cultural dining experiences that inspire language learning and

Qualifications

• Must be at least 18 years old.
• Hands-on food preparation in commercial kitchens.
• Experience directing and training kitchen staff.
• Availability for varied schedule including evenings and weekends.
• ServSafe certification or ability to obtain within 12 months.

Responsibilities

• Prepare, cook, and serve culturally authentic meals for programs and events.
• Lead food production during shifts and monitor workflow.
• Direct Assistant Cooks, seasonal staff, and volunteers.
• Assist with menu planning, recipe development, and demonstrations.
• Prepare meals for dietary restrictions; follow safety procedures.
• Monitor inventory, equipment, and records.
• Maintain clean, safe kitchens and dining areas.
• Support programs through meal service and interactions.
• Contribute to language-learning environment through interactions.

Skills

Portion control

Recipe following

Team leadership

Food safety awareness

Education

ServSafe certification

Job description

Position Details

• Position Title: Lead Cook
• Department: Culinary Arts
• Location: Bemidji, Minnesota
• Employment Type: Staff, Hourly Non-Exempt, Full-time
• FTE: 1.0
• Benefit Eligible: Yes
• General Employment Period: Year-round
• General Work Schedule (days of week): Varies, including evenings and weekends
• General Shift Hours: Varies, including evenings and weekends
• Position Opening Date: 10/12/2026
• Open Until Filled?: Yes

Why Concordia Language Villages?

At Concordia Language Villages, a program of Concordia College, your work contributes to something bigger. Every role plays a part in creating immersive experiences that inspire curiosity, build connections across cultures, and prepare people to engage thoughtfully with the world. Here, you'll join a collaborative community where your contributions are valued, and your work can make a meaningful difference in the lives of our participants.

About the Role

As a Lead Cook with Concordia Language Villages in Bemidji, Minnesota, you'll help bring cultures to life through food. Working alongside the Culinary Arts team, you'll prepare high-quality, culturally authentic meals while helping coordinate daily kitchen operations, guide fellow team members, and ensure a safe, efficient, and welcoming dining experience for participants, guests, and staff.

This year-round, full-time position offers an opportunity to combine hands‑on culinary work with practical leadership in a collaborative environment where food is an important part of the language and cultural learning experience.

What You'll Do

• Prepare, cook, and serve culturally authentic meals for Village programs and special events, following established recipes, menus, and production schedules.
• Lead food production during assigned shifts, coordinating tasks, guiding culinary staff, and monitoring workflow to ensure meals are prepared safely, efficiently, and on time.
• Provide direction and support to Assistant Cooks, seasonal and part‑time culinary staff, and volunteers, helping maintain consistent operational standards.
• Assist with menu planning, recipe development, cooking demonstrations, and culturally authentic food experiences as assigned.
• Prepare meals for participants with dietary restrictions and food allergies, following food safety, sanitation, and cross‑contact prevention procedures.
• Monitor food inventory, equipment, and supplies; communicate operational needs; and maintain required production, inventory, and temperature records.
• Maintain clean, safe, and organized kitchens, dining areas, and equipment, including supporting cleaning, dishwashing, and routine equipment maintenance.
• Support Village programs and special events through meal service, presentations, and positive interactions with participants, guests, and staff.
• Contribute to the immersive language‑learning environment through positive participant interactions and use of target languages whenever possible.

You’ll Thrive Here if You:

• Take pride in preparing quality food and appreciate the role that cuisine plays in connecting people and cultures.
• Enjoy leading by example, supporting fellow team members, and helping a busy kitchen run smoothly.
• Are dependable, organized, and attentive to food safety, quality, and detail.
• Can balance hands‑on cooking with coordinating tasks, guiding others, and adapting to changing priorities.
• Enjoy working with people from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds and find meaning in contributing to a mission‑driven organization.

Qualifications

What We’re Looking For

We're looking for an experienced culinary professional who enjoys preparing quality meals, supporting fellow team members, and helping lead efficient kitchen operations. The ideal candidate brings hands‑on food production experience, a collaborative approach to leadership, and an appreciation for culturally authentic cuisine.

Required Education & Experience

• Must be at least 18 years old.
• Relevant professional food service experience involving hands‑on food preparation and production in a commercial, institutional, or similar kitchen environment.
• Prior experience providing work direction, training, or leadership to others in a food service environment.
• Availability to work a varied schedule, including early mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays, based on program needs.
• ServSafe certification or a comparable food safety course certificate, or the ability to pass the ServSafe exam within the first 12 months of employment.

Preferred Education & Experience

• Experience with quantity cooking, institutional food production, or other high‑volume food service operations.

Required Skills and Abilities

Candidates must be able to demonstrate the following:

• Ability to perform calculations related to food production, portions, quantities, and recipe scaling.
• Ability to follow recipes, menus, production schedules, food safety procedures, and written instructions while maintaining required operational records.
• Ability to use email and basic computer applications for communication, scheduling, and recordkeeping.
• Ability to provide direction, guidance, and support to other culinary staff while maintaining operational standards.
• Strong organizational and time‑management skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks and adapt to changing operational needs.
• Effective oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with people from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds.
• Commitment to cultural authenticity, participant experience, continuous improvement, staff development, and high‑quality culinary operations.

Benefits and Salary

Concordia College is proud to offer a competitive total compensation package:

• Health Insurance
• Health Savings Account
• Flexible Spending Account
• Vision Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Preventative Chiropractic Program
• Retirement Plan
• Long‑Term Disability Insurance (full‑time only)
• Life Insurance (full‑time only)
• 13 Paid holidays including the time off between Christmas and New Year's
• MN Paid Family and Medical Leave
• Up to 100% tuition with discounts and scholarships for yourself and dependents at Concordia College and Concordia Language Villages
• Up to 50% tuition discount for dependents with Oak Grove Lutheran Schools
• Up to 100% tuition discounts for dependents with participating partners: CIC-TEP, ELCA schools, and Tuition Exchange Inc.
• Extras: access to athletic facilities, library, fitness classes, athletic events, theatre events, purchase dining on campus, free MATbus rides

Salary: 17.00 - 18.85 USD Hourly Wage

The final salary will be determined based on factors such as education, experience, skills, certifications, and alignment with the position's requirements. Other considerations may include internal equity and market conditions.

What to Submit with Your Application

Required Documents:

• None

Optional Documents:

• Resume/Curriculum Vitae
• Cover Letter
• List of References: Contact information for at least three professional references (name, title, organization, email, and phone number)
• Licensure
• Certification
• Training
• Other

Additional Application Details

Special Instructions to Applicants:

Employment Contingencies:

Successful completion of a criminal background check

Nondiscrimination Statement

Concordia College does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, creed, sex, religion, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, familial status, public assistance status, membership or activity in a local human rights commission, or any other legally protected status. The College is committed to providing equal opportunity in employment and fostering an inclusive and respectful environment for all. Reasonable accommodations are available to qualified individuals with disabilities throughout the recruitment process.

Inquiries regarding this policy may be directed to the Office of Human Resources, Concordia College, 901 8th Street South, Moorhead, MN 56562, 218-299-3339.