Lead Cook for Retreat Center (boulder creek)

A good, nourishing meal is so important in a successful retreat. The Lead Cook is a full-time, paid position and will allow you to use your talents to make yummy, vegetarian meals for all our retreaters. 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.