The Lead Cook is a supportive role to the Kitchen Manager, and steps in as the lead for the kitchen in the manager's absence. The kitchen team meets both retreater and staff needs as it relates to meal service and kitchen organization. This position is a precious opportunity to share one’s culinary skills while connecting with a community of dedicated spiritual practitioners.
At Vajrapani Institute, we strive to cultivate a contemplative environment and the kitchen department is at the heart of that endeavor – nourishing our staff and guests’ bodies so they have the energy to nourish their minds in spiritual growth. Our Kitchen philosophy is to provide a meditative atmosphere that allows a calm, peaceful, and loving energy to flow into the food. The intention is to cultivate a sense of pervading peacefulness and serenity so that anyone who steps into the kitchen and dining areas feel that sense of support and nurturing.
Our food services provide meals for group retreaters in our main dining room, along with delivering meals to solo retreaters in our ridge cabins. The Lead Cook also helps with the organizing and cleaning the kitchen.
DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES
Prepare balanced vegetarian meals for individual retreaters, group retreaters, and staff lunch
Follow food safety and injury prevention guidelines
Deliver meal bags to solitary ridge retreaters
Maintain and use kitchen systems – whiteboards, group information sheets, kitchen charts, etc.
Use daily, weekly, and monthly cleaning checklists to maintain kitchen cleanliness
Assist the kitchen manager with precuring of food and kitchen supplies
Accommodate food allergies and certain special needs with cooking (e.g. vegans, gluten free, nut allergies, precept days, etc.)
Support the Kitchen Manager in the planning of the menus
Help maintain food storage in the kitchen, pantry, teachers house and solitary retreat area
Help orient new employees and volunteers on the Community Kitchen Use Guidelines
Present Working Meditation Guidelines to group retreaters
Follow the Kitchen Manual and VPI food policy
Assist other departments as needed
Attend weekly staff meetings and kitchen team meetings
QUALIFICATIONS
A spiritual practice/orientation
At least one year of cooking experience
Has knowledge of vegetarian health & nutrition
Ability to maintain calm and patience among busy kitchen activity
Skillfully communicates with the kitchen manager, team as well as other departmental staff
Works efficiently while paying attention to the details (ie, private retreaters needs, group retreat needs)
Enjoys working in a team environment
Flexible with varying schedule
Familiarity with Buddhism
Approved to work in the U.S.
For a detailed job description and to apply: Please complete our online application here: http://www.vajrapani.org/employment-and-volunteering/
Vajrapani Institute is an equal opportunity employer and seeks diversity with respect to race, ethnicity, culture, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, and physical abilities.