Line Cook

Fetzer-Institute; Kalamazoo (MI); On-site; USD 32,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Prescription coverage

401(k)

Wellness package

Job summary

Fetzer Institute is seeking a Line Cook to join our Culinary team. You will prepare high-quality hot and cold items, help with serving lines, and contribute creative menu ideas in a collaborative kitchen environment.

This role emphasizes teamwork, food safety, and flexible scheduling, with evening and weekend shifts rotating among staff. Benefits include medical, dental, vision, prescription plans, a 401(k), and wellness support.

Qualifications

• Minimum five years of food-service experience, including three years in line cooking.
• Strong culinary skills and ability to follow recipes, procedures, and directions.
• Initiative, teamwork, and hospitality orientation.
• Comfort with evenings, early mornings, or weekends as schedule requires.
• Good interpersonal skills and a friendly, welcoming demeanor.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and execute high-quality hot and cold menu items.
• Collaborate with the culinary team to provide timely meal service.
• Set up and present serving lines, breakfasts, breaks, and special-event meals.
• Research recipes and contribute new menu ideas.
• Receive and store deliveries and maintain inventory accuracy.
• Maintain a clean, organized, safe, and welcoming kitchen.
• Follow food safety and Michigan Food Law requirements.
• Monitor equipment and report maintenance or safety concerns.
• Support and cross-train team members and welcome new staff.

Skills

Line cooking

Team collaboration

Initiative

Attention to detail

Interpersonal skills

Reading & math basics

Basic computer skills

Flexibility

Job description

Do you love working in a kitchen where great food and great teamwork go hand in hand? Are you someone who takes pride in your craft, enjoys being part of a collaborative team, and believes a meal can be one of the ways we care for people? If so, you might feel right at home at the Fetzer Institute.

At Fetzer, our mission is to help build the spiritual foundation for a loving world. That mission comes to life in many ways, including around the table. Our Culinary team creates meals and experiences that help staff and guests feel welcomed, cared for, and nourished.

As a Line Cook, you’ll be part of the team that makes that happen.

What You’ll Do

No two days in our kitchen look exactly alike. One day you may be preparing buffet lunch for our staff community; another, you may be helping create a memorable dining experience for guests gathering at our Seasons Retreat Center.

Working closely with our Head Chef and Culinary team, you will:

• Prepare and execute high-quality hot and cold menu items.
• Collaborate with the culinary team to provide thoughtful, timely meal service.
• Help set up and present serving lines, breakfasts, breaks, and special-event meals.
• Bring creativity to the kitchen by researching recipes and contributing new menu ideas.
• Receive and properly store food and supply deliveries and help maintain accurate inventory.
• Maintain a clean, organized, safe, and welcoming kitchen.
• Follow food safety, sanitation, and Michigan Food Law requirements.
• Monitor kitchen equipment and communicate maintenance or safety concerns.
• Support and cross-train team members and help welcome new employees to the kitchen.
• Pitch in where needed, because great hospitality is a team effort.

We’re looking for someone who understands that hospitality is about more than what’s on the plate. It’s noticing the details, anticipating needs, supporting your teammates, and taking pride in creating an experience where people feel genuinely cared for.

What We’re Looking For

You need to know your way around a professional kitchen and care about doing good work.

The ideal candidate brings:

• At least five years of food-service experience, including three years of line-cooking experience.
• Strong culinary skills and the ability to follow recipes, procedures, and verbal direction.
• Initiative and the ability to recognize what needs to be done and jump in.
• A collaborative approach and genuine enjoyment of working as part of a team.
• Strong interpersonal skills and a warm, hospitable approach with staff and guests.
• Basic reading, writing, math, and computer skills.
• Curiosity and a willingness to continue learning and growing.
• Flexibility to occasionally work evenings, early mornings, or weekends based on our gathering schedule, with advance notice.

More Than a Kitchen

Working at Fetzer is a little different. We are both a workplace and a community committed to learning, reflection, relationships, and inner development. We’re looking for someone who is open to learning, willing to engage, and interested in being part of a community that takes both its work and its mission seriously.

The Line Cook typically works 35 hours per week, Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM–2:00 PM. Evening dinner shifts are a regular part of this position and will rotate among members of the culinary team based on the convening schedule. Some early mornings and weekends may also be required, with advance notice. This position pays $23.70 per hour and is eligible for benefits, including medical, dental, vision, prescription, 401(k), and an extensive wellness package.

If you’re looking for a culinary role where you can prepare great food, work with a team that cares about one another, and contribute to something larger than the meal in front of you, we’d love to meet you.

Working Conditions

This position requires the ability to lift up to 50 pounds, stand for long periods of time, reach, bend, and push and pull carts weighing up to 300 pounds. The ability to learn how to operate basic kitchen appliances such as oven, stove, dishwasher, meat slicer, coffee machine, steamer, mixer, chef’s knives, hot holding equipment, and food processor is essential.

In accordance with our core values of love, trust, authenticity, and belonging, the Fetzer Institute affirms that every person has inherent value and purpose, and that we belong to a sacred community that includes all people and all of creation. The

Institute welcomes candidates from all backgrounds who are inspired to contribute to our mission of helping build the spiritual foundation for a loving world. Your unique voice is valued, and we are excited to hear from you!