Summer Camp Cook (Any Language)

Concordia College • Bemidji, MN

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Summer Camp Cook at Concordia Language Villages prepares and serves culturally appropriate international cuisine for villagers and staff. Working with the Summer Camp Head Chef and Culinary Arts team, the cook supports meal preparation and daily kitchen operations and helps create dining experiences that contribute to the language and cultural immersion programs. The role also offers opportunities to develop culinary and leadership skills in a collaborative summer camp community.

The cook assists with menu changes and food purchasing as needed, prepares and serves meals with kitchen staff, and maintains food quality, safety, timeliness, and a clean, sanitary kitchen in accordance with Minnesota regulations. The position also includes supervising and mentoring kitchen staff, providing feedback, and assisting with kitchen scheduling as needed. The cook is expected to follow organizational policies and safety standards, communicate appropriately, and adapt to changing demands in a camp environment.

This is a seasonal, temporary, full-time position. The work period varies from May through September; schedules vary and may include days, evenings, and weekends, with shifts of 8–10 hours per day based on program needs. Residential employment may include housing and meals. Staff live in gender-assigned community housing, use shared bathroom facilities, attend orientation, and remain one day after their final session for cleanup, inventory, and program evaluation. Applicants must be at least 18 years old and authorized to work in the United States. Employment offers are contingent on applicable pre-employment requirements, including a criminal background check; visa sponsorship is not available.

Requirements

• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Interest in cooking and preparing culturally appropriate food.
• Willingness to learn and grow in culinary and leadership skills.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Maturity and good judgment.
• Adaptability in changing situations.
• Ability to work in a culturally diverse environment.
• Ability to operate kitchen equipment safely and determine whether dishes, food-contact surfaces, and the kitchen area are clean.
• Ability to comply with the Minnesota Food Code in food preparation.
• Ability to maintain appropriate inventory of food and supplies.
• Ability to work with the foods used to prepare international cuisines without impact on the worker's physical health.
• Ability to stand and walk; sit, stoop, kneel, and crouch; use hands and fingers with dexterity; lift up to 10 pounds continuously and up to 25 pounds frequently; and reach with hands and arms.
• Ability to hear and listen, work with chemicals, work around noise and dirt or dust, and work in extreme heat and occasionally extreme cold.
• Ability to establish and maintain appropriate professional relationships, exercise good judgment, manage personal needs, and interact effectively with individuals and groups while respecting social and cultural diversity and maintaining appropriate boundaries.
• Emotional resiliency and cognitive abilities to carry out responsibilities in a busy, noisy, communal environment.
• Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States; visa sponsorship is not available.
• Applicants must provide contact information for at least two professional references before an employment offer is made.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with quantity cooking at a camp, resort, or public or private institution.
• A culinary-related major or minor, or equivalent experience.
• Experience planning menus and ordering food and supplies.
• Oral proficiency in the target language.
• Previous Concordia Language Villages or camping experience.

Responsibilities

• Prepare culturally appropriate recipes.
• Assist the Summer Camp Head Chef with menu changes based on program needs.
• Assist the Summer Camp Head Chef with purchasing food supplies as needed and in accordance with organizational guidelines.
• Prepare and serve meals with other kitchen staff, ensuring food quality, safety, and timeliness.
• Maintain a clean and sanitary kitchen in accordance with Minnesota health and safety regulations.
• Supervise, mentor, and provide feedback to kitchen staff.
• Assist with kitchen scheduling as needed.
• Model professional behavior, teamwork, and a positive work environment.
• Follow organizational policies, procedures, and safety standards.
• Communicate clearly and appropriately with staff and leadership.
• Manage competing demands and adapt to frequent change in a camp environment.
• Assist with setting up the Village, preparing for the next session, and maintaining the Village during sessions.
• Speak the target language with villagers and staff as much as possible.
• Remain one day after the final session for cleanup, inventory, and program evaluation.

Benefits

• Housing may be provided during residential employment.
• Meals may be provided during residential employment.
• Paid training and orientation.
• Applicable tuition discounts for children attending Concordia Language Villages.
• Opportunities for professional development, intercultural learning, and language immersion.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed