Retreat Center Cook
About The Position
Spirit Rock's Retreat Center Cooks work collaboratively to prepare meals for residential retreats, internal meetings, and special events. They train and supervise retreatants performing work meditations in the kitchen and model behavior that supports mindfulness practice in the retreat environment. This is a fully on-site position with no remote work available. The cook prepares and serves lacto-ovo vegetarian meals, follows recipes and adjusts quantities, collaborates on recipes, maintains an orderly kitchen, and ensures hygiene and safety standards are met. The role also includes supporting retreatants and other cooks, assisting with special events, attending meetings and assigned trainings, keeping current with kitchen communications, handling deliveries and supplies, assisting with work meditations, and maintaining daily records such as quantity logs, inventory, and recipe modifications. This extra-hire, non-exempt position is scheduled for 2–3 eight-hour shifts per week as needed. Compensation is $28–$30 per hour, depending on experience. Spirit Rock is located in West Marin on a 411-acre property; candidates should be aware of the rural location and associated public transportation challenges. Spirit Rock is an equal opportunity employer and encourages qualified candidates who identify as a Person of Color and/or are part of the LGBTQIA+ community to apply. The organization cannot support visa sponsorship.
Requirements
- At least one year of professional cooking experience focused on organic ingredients and seasonal produce in a high-volume vegetarian kitchen; a contemplative work setting is preferred.
- Flexibility in daily and weekly schedules, with ability to work evenings and weekends.
- Strong interpersonal communication skills.
- Ability to take direction and function as both a team leader and a team player.
- Ability to remain calm in a sometimes fast-paced work environment and work compassionately with retreatants.
- Ability to lift, carry, push, or pull objects weighing up to 50 pounds.
- Ability to perform moderately difficult manipulative tasks, including lifting large pans in and out of ovens, carrying heavy produce boxes, and repetitive cutting, stirring, and whisking.
- Ability to stand in the kitchen for up to eight hours.
- Awareness of the rural location and associated public transportation challenges.
Nice To Haves
- Experience in a contemplative work setting.
Responsibilities
- Prepare and serve tasty, nutritious lacto-ovo vegetarian meals on schedule.
- Follow recipes and adjust quantities as needed.
- Collaborate on new recipes and create recipes independently as needed.
- Maintain an orderly and efficient kitchen workspace.
- Ensure the work environment meets or exceeds regulatory hygiene and safety standards.
- Train and support retreatants in kitchen tasks and work meditations.
- Provide ongoing guidance and problem-solving support to retreatants and other cooks.
- Assist with special events as needed.
- Attend kitchen staff meetings and all-staff meetings as scheduled.
- Attend assigned staff training, including First Aid/CPR and emergency preparedness.
- Keep up to date with kitchen-related emails, schedules, and updates.
- Put away food deliveries, keep the kitchen clean and stocked, and assist with retreatant work meditations.
- Perform daily recordkeeping, including quantity logs, inventory, and recipe modifications.
- Complete other related assignments as necessary.
Benefits
- Free healthy, organic lunches on shift days
- Paid sick leave
- Participation in Spirit Rock's staff dharma program
- 30% discount on Spirit Rock bookstore purchases
- Employee Assistance Program with eight free therapy sessions annually, plus coaching and resources for leadership development, child and elder care, legal matters, and financial matters; extended to dependents
- After six months, discounted staff rates for up to seven nights per year at Spirit Rock retreats
- After six months, free access to daylong and class series when space allows
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Part-time
Education Level
No Education Listed
