Our kitchen offers the cook the liberty of creating diverse and healthy meals that appeal to staff and teachers while preparing a regular menu of equally comforting and well balanced meals for hundreds of students each week. The cook is responsible for providing these nutritious and budget conscious meals while managing the ordering of food, the subsequent storage of goods, the organization of the kitchen, and overseeing the duties required of the kitchen assistant (a position filled by a staff member on a rotational basis).   

The head cook is completely in charge of the kitchen, from start to finish. Organizing supplies, following the basic menu and planning special adult options, ordering food, cooking food, and much more. It is the cook’s responsibility to prepare and serve the following meals: Monday lunch and dinner, Tuesday-Thursday breakfast and dinner, and Friday breakfast. Occasionally schools will opt to have a bag lunch provided or a hot lunch prepared for them on Friday, their last day of program. Bag lunches are also provided for students every full day they are in camp (Tuesday-Thursday, usually). Though the cook doesn't have to make these lunches, they still organize the supplies necessary (lunch meats or tuna, cheese, bread, apples, condiments) and the field instructors are responsible for assembling the sandwiches needed for the day. 

The menu for students is consistent throughout the year, with a two week rotating meal system. At dinner, main courses generally consisting of a meat/protein and carbohydrate are offered alongside vegetable dishes with a salad bar available; breakfast consists of traditional favorites (pancakes, eggs, hash browns, French toast, sausage, fruits) and cold cereals are offered at each breakfast to substitute for or supplement the prepared dishes.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Solid cooking experience.
• The ability to plan meals, order food, balance a budget, and mange staff.
• The ability to work independently and with minimal supervision.
• The ability to pass a criminal background check. 
• You must be open minded, tolerant, patient, loving, caring, giving, determined, and want to be part of community.

BENEFITS

• $100 a day, generally Monday through Friday. No weekends.
• $100 a month health stipend
• On site housing, Big Bear High Trails housing (commute required), or $250 a month housing stipend during entire contracted period.
• Food during the program week.
• Bonus based on staying to the kitchen budget; last year this was worth more than $6,000 to the head cook.
• Contracts run 9/20/10 - 5/27/11 with time off during Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Spring Break.

TO APPLY

• The position is currently CLOSED. 

• We ask that you follow the same application process as the rest of our staff.
• Please email us with any questions: work@thehightrailsway.com