LEAD COOK - Full Time (3 or 6 Month Position)

Esalen Institute; California (MO); On-site; USD 25,485 - 33,062; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Housing available on-site

All meals provided

Access to daily experiential classes

Job summary

The Esalen Institute in California is seeking a Lead Cook to supervise daily kitchen production for guests and staff. In this full-time role, you will ensure a safe and efficient kitchen operation while preparing healthy meals.

Ideal candidates should have previous chef experience or culinary training, strong communication skills, and a passion for food. The position offers on-site housing, all meals, and access to personal development programs.

Qualifications

• Previous chef experience and/or culinary training are preferred.
• Ability to react and respond calmly in stressful situations.
• Must have an avid interest in food and culinary pursuits.

Responsibilities

• Supervise daily kitchen operations and personnel.
• Prepare healthy, tasty meals and baked goods.
• Establish a positive work environment.

Skills

Chef experience

Culinary training

Strong communication skills

Interest in food

Job description

At Esalen, we believe in the power of our potential -- both in our staff and in our global community of students and faculty who turn to us for transformative learning experiences. More than 60 years ago, Esalen co-founders imagined a place inspired by Abraham Maslow’s psychology of peak experiences and Aldous Huxley’s belief in “human potentialities”, the unrealized capacities of our mind and body. Today we build on this legacy by creating deep connections in a world challenged by disconnection and isolation; reigniting awe and wonder to spark greater curiosity about ourselves and others; and asking the questions that can lead to transformative change both for an individual and society.

Esalen isn’t just a place to work, it’s an invitation to help change the world.

Overview

• This role is a key position in the Esalen kitchen. As a full‑time culinary team leader, you will supervise the daily production of meals for the community (guests, staff, faculty) in our teaching kitchen. You will also assist the kitchen management in supporting the kitchen’s daily operations. This role requires shift work. The Lead Cook reports to the Executive Chef and is located on property in Big Sur.
• Prior work experience at Esalen is preferred. Candidates that have graduated from Esalen’s 3 month REEP program or a current staff member who has been employed for at least three months will be given top consideration.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide the Kitchen with a safe, sanitary, and efficient operation, while directly supervising all Kitchen personnel scheduled for the chef’s shift.
• Preparing healthy, tasty meals, baked breads and desserts.
• Establish a positive, productive work environment that fosters learning and creativity.
• Supervising and managing proper safety and sanitation practices in the kitchen.
• Supervising proper organization (label, date, shelf order) of all storage and work areas.
• Working with kitchen manager in menu planning.
• Supporting the community and kitchen policy of composting and recycling.
• Minimizing loss (spoilage, careless waste, theft, etc.).
• Ensuring at least one kitchen manager or staff person is present in the kitchen at all times of the shift.
• Assuming the responsibility for the secure lock‑up and opening of the kitchen outside the hours of operation (6 am – 8 pm).
• Other various tasks as assigned.

Qualifications

• Previous chef experience and/or culinary training are preferred.
• Ability to take responsibility, be held accountable, flexible and make on‑the‑spot decisions.
• Ability to balance the needs of Esalen’s guests and seminarians with the resources available in the best possible way.
• Ability to react and respond calmly and graciously in stressful and demanding situations.
• Strong communication skills, with an emphasis on listening, empathy and common sense.
• Must have an avid interest in food and culinary pursuits.
• Experience in cooking and managing a kitchen of comparable size.

Flexibility

• Esalen functions best when all staff work toward the common mission of encouraging everyone to reach our highest human potential. With this goal in mind, this job description is not intended to cover or contain an all‑encompassing listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that may be required. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice based on Esalen’s and your team’s needs.

Physical Requirements

• While performing the duties of this job, the teammate must be able to maneuver on uneven ground, stand for long periods of time, often carry and lift up to 50 pounds, operate food preparation appliances and machinery, tolerate exposure to changes in temperature, and be able to perform daily repetitive hand movements as it pertains to food preparation.

Compensation

• 3 or 6 Month position.
• Full‑time – 40 hours per week.
• Housing available on‑site (residential fee charged).
• All meals provided.
• The pay for this position is commensurate with experience.
• Esalen provides access to an extensive range of daily experiential classes (yoga, dance, tai chi, meditation) and ongoing in‑house education and training programs. Staff are encouraged to engage in a wide range of personal and professional development programs designed by Esalen faculty and staff.

$18.50 – $24 per hour.

Certification

• REEP Apprentices have the opportunity to earn an Esalen certification over their 6 month contract that highlights the departmental core competencies and transferable skills fulfilled, and acknowledges the hours spent engaging in professional and personal development. The certification process honors individual learning tracks, giving participants credit for their holistic engagement in Esalen’s educational community, and celebrates a graduation point with a capstone project.

Esalen provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetics, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.