Kroka is seeking Summer Cooks for the 2026 season!
The Summer Cook will help provide essential support for Kroka’s central kitchen during our busiest program season. The Kroka kitchen staff team prepares locally sourced and produced food for our 50+ summer staff and helps to provision students and expedition leaders who take part in our wilderness programs. The Summer Cook will work closely with the Food Manager to prepare and serve daily meals from our Farmhouse Kitchen, support the supervision of seasonal staff helpers and volunteers, and ensure that the kitchen operates efficiently. The ideal candidate will have 1-3 years of cooking experience and has cooked for large groups in a professional or community setting – although a willingness to work diligently and to learn on the job is more important that experience.
Schedule
There are two positions available, one full-time and one part-time position.
- Part-time: 20-30 hours/week beginning immediately and with flexible scheduling through the end of September (extension is possible for the right candidate)
- Full-time: 40+ hours/week, June 1 – August 18
Shifts could be either 6:00 am – 2:00 PM or 10:30 AM – 6:30 PM with some flexibility, and 2 days off per week. Ability to work weekends is a must.
Responsibilities
- Assist the Food Manager in preparing 3 meals/day for the Kroka staff community (approx. 30 people) and snacks and provisions for our expeditions (60-100 people)
- Work with, and be a positive role model for, apprentices and volunteers
- Prepare meals independently during the Food Manager’s days off
- Maintain a safe, clean and healthy kitchen environment
- Oversee mealtime cleanup and dishwashing crews
- Complete special kitchen projects such as baking or food preservation
- Connect with local food producers and assist with food procurement errands
- Make use of the seasonal bounty from the farm in creative and delicious ways
Qualifications
- Experience working in a professional or community kitchen
- Ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously and to work independently
- Capable of completing prep work independently and often by oneself
- Strong interpersonal skills and ability to relate to a diverse group of people
- Understanding of local and seasonal ingredients and how to cook with them
- Comfort cooking mostly vegetarian food
- Experience navigating food allergies and sensitivities
Learning Opportunities Include
- Developing efficiency skills in meal planning and preparation for large groups
- Deepening your understanding of farm-to-table, local, whole food, seasonal cooking processes and how to plant, grow, harvest and prepare food in a mindful way
- Working with children of all ages in a kitchen setting
- Acquiring an understanding of expedition food pack out systems
- Experiencing life on a campus that incorporates environmental consciousness into every facet of daily life
Compensation & Benefits
- Hourly pay $15 – $23/hr based on experience
- Room and board available if needed
- Being part of a great community of people committed to adventurous learning, hard work and simple living
- Working in a beautiful space overlooking the farm, forest and village
