Cook

This position description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being
performed by people in this category. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all
responsibilities, duties and skills required of people in these positions.

Work Team:

Community Services

Reports To:

Food Services Lead

Position Classification:

Volunteer

Length of Service:

2+ Weeks

POSTION SUMMARY

This position is open now!

Holden Village seeks a Head Cook to help provide healthy, delicious, and diverse meals for the Holden community through thoughtful preparation, care for ingredients, and a spirit of joyful hospitality. This role supports Holden’s food service ministry in a similar setting to the Food Service Lead role, while carrying a more focused level of responsibility centered on daily meal preparation, kitchen organization, food safety, and support of established food service practices.

The Head Cook prepares meals that reflect Holden’s food philosophy of “lavish simplicity”: good food, well and mindfully prepared, and served with joy. The Head Cook helps create a clean, safe, welcoming, and collaborative kitchen environment for community members.

MAJOR FUNCTIONS

The Head Cook will work with the Food Service Lead, Community Services Manager, and other kitchen staff to accomplish the following:
- Plan and prepare meals for the Holden community, with particular focus on assigned lunches, dinners, or other meals as scheduled.
- Prepare dinner Monday through Friday for approximately 15 to 20 people
- Follow established menus, recipes, food service systems, and kitchen rhythms while offering creative input where appropriate.
- Keep the island and reach-in stocked with staple items such as homemade bread, peanut butter, hard-boiled eggs, leftovers, snacks, and other community food items.
- Assist with maintaining accurate inventory of foodstuffs and supplies.
- Communicate food needs, shortages, and supply concerns to the Food Service Lead or Community Services Manager.
- Ensure proper sanitation, food safety, storage, labeling, and cleaning practices are followed.
- Support the use of economical, sustainable, and socially responsible food practices as directed by food service leadership.
- Help maintain a clean, organized, safe, and enjoyable kitchen environment.
- Work cooperatively with community members who assist in the kitchen.
- Support Holden’s broader commitments to hospitality, community life, sustainability, and mindful use of resources.
The Head Cook is not primarily responsible for high-level food service administration, supplier relationships, major ordering systems, long-range menu planning, or revision of Holden’s Food Philosophy, but may contribute perspective and experience to those conversations when invited.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS REQUIREMENTS

The ideal candidate will have experience preparing meals for groups, comfort working in a community kitchen, and a love of simple, nourishing food. They should be organized, flexible, calm under pressure, attentive to food safety, and able to work well with people of varied skill levels.

Experience with bread baking, vegetarian cooking, scratch cooking, food preservation, inventory systems, or retreat/community settings is helpful.

This position requires standing for extended periods, lifting and carrying food or supplies, working in a busy kitchen environment, and participating in the shared rhythms of Holden Village life.

COMMUNITY EXPECTATIONS

The Head Cook should be willing to live and work in a remote community setting and contribute to a culture of welcome, cooperation, and joy.

Cook

POSTION SUMMARY

MAJOR FUNCTIONS

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS REQUIREMENTS

COMMUNITY EXPECTATIONS

Education